CN110799115B - Nail forming pocket arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge including staples having legs. The end effector may further comprise an anvil comprising a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the tissue compression surface, and wherein the plurality of pockets comprise pockets having cups configured to form the legs. The cup may include a boundary surface including a perimeter, a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along a length of the cup, a first curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile, and a second curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile. The first curved sidewall and the second curved sidewall may intersect the perimeter at a constant angle along a majority of their length.

Description

Nail forming pit layout

Background technique

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith designed to suture and cut tissue.

Description of drawings

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

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a surgical system including a handle assembly and a plurality of interchangeable surgical tool assemblies for use therewith;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies of Figure 1 operably coupled to the handle assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded assembly view of portions of the handle assembly and interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies depicted in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4-6;

Figure 7A is an enlarged top view of a portion of the elastic spine assembly of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figure 7;

Figure 8 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4-7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4-8;

Figure 10 is an exploded assembly view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly depicted in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective, side elevation and front elevation view of a firing member employable in the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4-10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an anvil that may be employed in the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of Figures 4-11;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the anvil of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a bottom view of the anvil of Figures 12 and 13;

15 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a portion of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4 with an unused surgical staple cartridge properly seated within the elongated channel of the surgical end effector. Bit;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of Figure 15, wherein the surgical staple cartridge has been fired during the staple firing stroke and the firing member is retracted to the starting position after the staple firing stroke;

Figure 17 is another cross-sectional side elevation view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of Figure 16 with the firing member fully retracted to its starting position;

Figure 18 is a top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion depicted in Figure 15 with an unused surgical staple cartridge properly seated with the elongated channel of the surgical end effector;

Figure 19 is another top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of Figure 15 with a fired surgical staple cartridge installed therein, showing the firing member held in a locked position;

Figure 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the anvil and elongated channel of the interchangeable tool assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 21 is an exploded side elevation view of a portion of the anvil and elongated channel of Figure 20;

22 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of an anvil according to at least one embodiment;

23 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of another anvil according to at least one embodiment;

24 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of another anvil according to at least one embodiment;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of an anvil according to at least one embodiment;

Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional end view of the anvil of Figure 25;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of another anvil according to at least one embodiment;

Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil embodiment of Figure 28;

Figure 30 is a top view of a distal end portion of the anvil body portion of the anvil of Figure 28;

31 is a top view of a distal end portion of an anvil body portion of another anvil according to at least one embodiment;

Figure 32 is a cross-sectional end perspective view of the anvil of Figure 31;

Figure 33 is a cross-sectional end perspective view of an anvil according to at least one embodiment;

34 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple-forming dimple arrangement including a proximal forming dimple and a distal forming dimple, wherein each forming dimple includes a forming surface having an entrance region and an exit region formed at different radii of curvature;

Figure 35 is a plan view of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 34;

Figure 36 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 34 taken along line 36-36 of Figure 35;

Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 34 taken along line 37-37 of Figure 35;

Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 34 taken along line 38-38 of Figure 35;

Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 34 taken along line 39-39 of Figure 35;

40 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple-forming pocket arrangement including a proximal shaped pocket, a distal shaped pocket, and major sidewalls, wherein each shaped pocket includes a pair of shaped sidewalls;

Figure 41 is a plan view of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 40;

Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 40 taken along line 42-42 of Figure 41;

Figure 43 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 40 taken along line 43-43 of Figure 41;

Figure 44 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 40 taken along line 44-44 of Figure 41;

Figure 45 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 40 taken along line 45-45 of Figure 41;

Figure 46 depicts a tack formed using the formed dimple arrangement of Figure 40 in a fully formed configuration, wherein the tack contacts the formed dimples in an aligned state;

Figure 47 depicts a tack formed using the formed dimple arrangement of Figure 40 in a fully formed configuration, wherein the tack contacts the formed dimples in a misaligned state;

48 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple-forming dimple arrangement including a proximal forming dimple and a distal forming dimple;

Figure 49 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 48;

Figure 50 is a plan view of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 48;

Figure 51 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 48 taken along line 51-51 in Figure 50;

Figure 52 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 48 taken along line 52-52 in the entry region of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 50;

Figure 53 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 48 taken along line 53-53 in the transition zone to the distal staple-forming pockets of Figure 50;

Figure 54 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 48 taken along line 54-54 in the exit region of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 50;

Figure 54A is a partial negative view of a shaped dimple of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 48, wherein the partial negative view includes various slices taken along multiple planes of the shaped dimple that are perpendicular to the staple-forming dimple arrangement The pit axis facing the tissue surface and the nail forming pit arrangement;

Figure 54B is a table including dimensions of the slices of Figure 54A labeled in Figure 54A;

54C is a cross-sectional view of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 48 taken along a dimple axis of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 48 with various dimensions of the shaped dimple arrangement marked thereon;

Figure 55 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple-forming dimple arrangement including a proximal forming dimple and a distal forming dimple;

Figure 56 is a plan view of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 55;

Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 55 taken along line 57-57 of Figure 56;

Figure 58 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 55 taken along line 58-58 in the entry region of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 56;

Figure 59 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 55 taken along line 59-59 in the transition zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 56;

Figure 60 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 55 taken along line 60-60 in the outlet forming zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 56;

Figure 60A is a partial negative view of a forming dimple of the staple forming dimple arrangement of Figure 55, wherein the partial negative view includes various slices taken along multiple planes of the forming dimple that are perpendicular to the staple forming dimple arrangement The pit axis facing the tissue surface and the nail forming pit arrangement;

Figure 60B is a table including dimensions of the slices of Figure 60A labeled in Figure 60A;

60C is a cross-sectional view of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 55 taken along a dimple axis of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 55 with various dimensions of the shaped dimple arrangement marked thereon;

61 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple-forming dimple arrangement including a proximal forming dimple and a distal forming dimple;

Figure 62 is a plan view of the nail-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 61;

Figure 63 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming dimple arrangement of Figure 61 taken along line 63-63 of Figure 62;

64 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of FIG. 61 taken along line 64-64 in the entrance shaping zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of FIG. 62;

65 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of FIG. 61 taken along line 65-65 in the entrance shaping zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of FIG. 62;

Figure 66 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 61 taken along line 66-66 in the transition zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 62;

Figure 67 is a cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket arrangement of Figure 61 taken along line 67-67 in the outlet forming zone of the distal staple-forming pocket of Figure 62;

Figure 67A is a partial negative view of a forming dimple of the staple forming dimple arrangement of Figure 61, wherein the partial negative view includes various slices taken along multiple planes of the forming dimple that are perpendicular to the staple forming dimple arrangement The pit axis facing the tissue surface and the nail forming pit arrangement;

Figure 67B is a table including dimensions of the slices of Figure 67A labeled in Figure 67A;

67C is a cross-sectional view of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 61 taken along a dimple axis of the shaped dimple arrangement of FIG. 61 with various dimensions of the shaped dimple arrangement marked thereon;

Figure 68 is a plan view of a nail in a fully formed configuration formed using the forming dimple arrangement of Figure 55, wherein the nail contacts the forming dimples in a misaligned state;

Figure 69 is a front view of the nail of Figure 68;

70 is a cross-sectional front view of a surgical end effector with various components removed, depicting an anvil and a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples, further depicting a device in which a uniform tissue gap is defined between the staple cartridge and the anvil. an end effector in a closed position further described as firing from a staple cartridge and forming staples of uniform height by forming dimples in the anvil;

71 is a cross-sectional front view of a surgical end effector with various components removed, depicting an anvil and a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples, wherein the anvil includes a stepped tissue compression surface, further depicting the staples therein. an end effector defining a closed position for various tissue gaps between the cartridge and anvil, further described as firing from the staple cartridge and forming staples of uniform height by forming dimples in the anvil;

72 is a cross-sectional front view of a surgical end effector with various components removed, showing an anvil and a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and stepped tissue compression surfaces, further depicting the staple cartridge and anvil disposed therein. an end effector defining a closed position between the seats for various tissue gaps, further described as firing staples from a staple cartridge and forming staples to a uniform height by forming dimples in the anvil;

73 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a surgical end effector with various components removed, depicting an anvil and a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples, wherein the anvil and staple cartridge include stepped tissue compression surfaces, further depicting a wherein the end effector defines a closed position for various tissue gaps between the staple cartridge and the anvil, further described as firing staples from the staple cartridge and forming tacks of uniform height by forming dimples in the anvil;

74 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an articulation joint for a surgical tool assembly with various components removed, depicting the articulation joint in a non-articulating position;

Figure 75 is a partial cutaway plan view of the articulating joint of Figure 74 in a non-articulating configuration;

Figure 76 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the articulating joint of Figure 74 in a partially articulated configuration;

Figure 77 is a partial cutaway plan view of the articulating joint of Figure 74 in a fully articulated configuration; and

77A is a detailed view of the enhanced features of the articulation joint of FIG. 74 in the fully articulated configuration of FIG. 77. FIG.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples described herein illustrate one form of various embodiments of the invention, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Detailed ways

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same dates as this application and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number ________ titled "SURGICAL ANVIL MANUFACTURING METHODS"; Attorney Docket No. END8165USNP/170079M;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ titled "SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8168USNP/170080;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ titled "SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8170USNP/170081;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ titled "SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8164USNP/170082;

-U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ titled "SURGICAL FIRING MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8169USNP/170083;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8232USNP/170086;

- U.S. patent application entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ANVILS" Serial No. __________; Attorney Docket No. END8166USNP/170087; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number __________ entitled "ARTICULATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; Attorney Docket No. END8171USNP/170088.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on December 21, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,185 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIESTHEREOF";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,221 entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,209 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,198 entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS ANDREPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,240 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,939 titled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLECAVITIES THEREIN";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,941 titled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FORSHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES ANDARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,943 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,950 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTIONFEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,945 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLECAVITIES THEREIN";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,946 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,951 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASINGA JAW OPENING DISTANCE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,953 entitled "METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,954 entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FORSURGICAL END EFFECTORS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,955 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOPARRANGEMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,948 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS"; - U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,956 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAWOPENING FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,958 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTINGFIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,947 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLECAVITIES THEREIN";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,896 entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,898 titled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENTTYPES OF STAPLES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,899 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,901 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISINGWINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,902 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,904 entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/ORSPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,905 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,907 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUTAND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,908 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,909 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,920 titled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,913 entitled "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,914 entitled "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OFSTAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,893 entitled "BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE FORMING POCKET PAIRS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,929 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,911 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLECLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,927 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,917 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPINGBREADTHS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,900 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARYSIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,931 entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FORSURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,915 entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,897 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMINGSURFACE GROOVES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,922 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,924 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,912 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT AFIXED AXIS AND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,910 entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,906 entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,188 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,192 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAPSETTING FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,206 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,226 entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIESOF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,222 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITHPOSITIVE OPENING FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/386,236 entitled "CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,887 titled "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,889 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTIONSYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,890 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE ANDRETRACTABLE SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,891 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THEOUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,892 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO ANARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,894 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,895 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATIONLOCKOUTS";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,916 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,918 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,919 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,921 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENER CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMINGMEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,923 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,925 entitled "JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OFA FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN FIRED CARTRIDGE ISINSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,926 titled "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYINGCLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,928 entitled "PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN AMOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,930 titled "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENINGFEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,932 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFTARRANGEMENT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,933 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLELINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,934 titled "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR INAN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,935 entitled "LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FORLOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATEDCONFIGURATION"; and

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,936 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKEAMPLIFICATION FEATURES";

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on June 24, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/191,775 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/191,807 entitled "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPEDSTAPLES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/191,834 entitled "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME";

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

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/191,818 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS".

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on June 24, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. design patent application serial number 29/569,218 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";

-U.S. design patent application serial number 29/569,227 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";

- U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/569,259 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE"; and

- U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/569,264 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE".

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on April 1, 2016 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,325 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,321 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,326 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,263 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIPPORTION";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,262 entitled "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLEBAILOUT SYSTEM";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,277 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVILCONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,296 entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL ENDEFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,258 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,278 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVECUTTING OF TISSUE";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,284 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT";

- US patent application serial number 15/089,295 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT"; - US patent application serial number 15/089,300 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMCOMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,196 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,203 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,210 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGELOCKOUT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,324 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,335 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,339 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,253 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OFSTAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,304 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,331 entitled "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,336 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/089,312 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUESUPPORT";

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

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/089,349 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL".

The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on December 31, 2015 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/984,488 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE INPOWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/984,525 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/984,552 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROLCIRCUITS".

The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on February 9, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,220 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLYTRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,228 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATIONARRANGEMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,196 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTEDSECONDARY CONSTRAINT";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,206 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLYARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,215 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATIONARRANGEMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,227 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATIONLINK ARRANGEMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/019,235 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLEDRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAMARRANGEMENTS"; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTIONARRANGEMENTS".

The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on February 12, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/043,254 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. patent application serial number 15/043,259 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/043,275 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/043,289 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS".

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on June 18, 2015 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/742,925 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENINGARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367256;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/742,941 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSINGFEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367248;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/742,914 entitled "MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367255;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/742,900 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAMSTRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367254;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/742,885 entitled "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0367246; and

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/742,876 entitled "PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367245.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on March 6, 2015 and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,746 entitled "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256184;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,795 entitled "MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/02561185;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,832 titled "ADAPTIVE TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURERATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256154;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,935 entitled "OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY(RF)ELECTRODE SYSTEM TOMEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256071;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,831 entitled "MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTORFOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256153;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,859 entitled "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINESTABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256187;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,817 entitled "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256186;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,844 entitled "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULARSHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256155;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,837 entitled "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256163;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/640,765 entitled "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGEINTO A SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENER", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256160;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/640,799 entitled "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON AROTATABLE SHAFT", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0256162; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/640,780 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0256161.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on February 27, 2015 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,576 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249919;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,546 entitled "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCEPARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249915;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,560 entitled "SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONEOR MORE BATTERIES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249910;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,566 entitled "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FORCHARGING A BATTERY", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249918;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,555 entitled "SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TOBE SERVICED", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249916;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,542 entitled "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249908;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,548 entitled "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249909;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/633,526 entitled "ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249945;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/633,541 entitled "MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0249927; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/633,562 entitled "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFEPARAMETER", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0249917.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on December 18, 2014 and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/574,478 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE ENDEFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174977;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/574,483 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174969;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,139 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174978;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,148 entitled "LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174976;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,130 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLEABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174972;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,143 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174983;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,117 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS ANDMOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174975;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/575,154 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS ANDIMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174973;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/574,493 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLEARTICULATION SYSTEM"; now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0174970; and

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/574,500 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLEARTICULATION SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174971.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on March 1, 2013 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,295 entitled "Articulatable Surgical Instruments With Conductive Pathways For Signal Communication", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246471;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,323 entitled "Rotary Powered Articulation Joints For Surgical Instruments", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246472;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,338 entitled "Thumbwheel Switch Arrangements For Surgical Instruments", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0249557;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,499 entitled "Electromechanical Surgical Device with Signal RelayArrangement", now U.S. patent application publication 9,358,003;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/782,460 entitled "Multiple Processor Motor Control for Modular Surgical Instruments", now U.S. Patent No. 9,554,794;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,358 entitled "Joystick Switch Assemblies For Surgical Instruments", now U.S. patent application publication 9,326,767;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,481 entitled "Sensor Straightened End Effector During Removal Through Trocar", now U.S. patent application publication 9,468,438;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/782,518 entitled "Control Methods for Surgical Instruments with RemovableImplement Portions", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246475;

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

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

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on March 14, 2013 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,097 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263542;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,193 entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 9,332,987;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,053 entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263564;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATIONLOCK", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,210 entitled "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FORSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263538;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,148 entitled "MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263554;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,066 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 9,629,623;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,117 entitled "ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 9,351,726;

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

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/803,159 entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0277017.

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on March 7, 2014 and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

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

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on March 26, 2014 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/226,106 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",

Currently U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272582;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,099 entitled "STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272581;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,094 entitled "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272580;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,117 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUITAND WAKE UP CONTROL", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272574;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,075 entitled "MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFTASSEMBLIES", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272579;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,093 entitled "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272569;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,116 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272571;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,071 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETYPROCESSOR", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272578;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,097 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272570;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,126 entitled "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272572;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,133 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272557;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,081 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0277471;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/226,076 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0280424;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/226,111 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0272583; and

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/226,125 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0280384.

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on September 5, 2014 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/479,103 entitled "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066912;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/479,119 entitled "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUECOMPRESSION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066914;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/478,908 entitled "MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066910;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 14/478,895 entitled “MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR’SOUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION”, now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0066909;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/479,110 entitled "POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066915;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/479,098 entitled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066911;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/479,115 entitled "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0066916; and

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

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on April 9, 2014 and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,590 entitled "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVESHAFTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305987;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,581 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRINGDRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT", now U.S. Patent 9,649,110;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,595 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLINGTHE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305988;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,588 entitled "POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENER", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0309666;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,591 entitled "TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305991;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,584 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENTFEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305994;

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,587 entitled "POWERED SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENER", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0309665;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/248,586 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0305990; and

- U.S. patent application serial number 14/248,607 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305992.

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications, which were submitted on April 16, 2013 and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

- U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/812,365 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY ASINGLE MOTOR";

- U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/812,376 entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER";

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

- U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/812,385 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS ANDMOTOR CONTROL"; and

- U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/812,372 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY ASINGLE MOTOR".

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

The terms "comprise" (and any form of "comprise" such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and "have" any form, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of "include", such as "includes" and "including" ”), and “contain” (and any form of “contain,” such as “contains” and “containing”) are open copulas. Thus, a surgical system, device, or device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more elements has, but is not limited to, having only these one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, apparatus, or device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features. A characteristic part.

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

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

The surgical suturing system may include a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a nail cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw, or at least can be easily replaced from the first jaw. The second jaw includes an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about the closing axis; however, other embodiments are contemplated in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical suturing system also includes an articulation joint configured to allow the end effector to rotate or articulate relative to the axis. The end effector is capable of rotating about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are contemplated that do not include articulation joints.

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

The nails are supported by the nail driving device in the cartridge body. The drive device is movable between a first or non-firing position and a second or firing position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The drive device is retained in the cartridge body by a retainer that extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes an elastic member configured to grip the cartridge body and retain the retainer to the cartridge body. The drive is movable by means of a slide between its non-firing position and its firing position. The slide is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The slider includes a plurality of ramp surfaces configured to slide under the drive device toward the anvil and lift the drive device, and the nail is supported on the drive device.

In addition to the above, the slide may be moved distally by the firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the slider and urge the slider toward the distal end. A longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member also includes a first cam engaging the first jaw and a second cam engaging the second jaw. The first cam and the second cam may control the distance or tissue gap between the platform and the anvil of the staple cartridge as the firing member is advanced distally. The firing member also includes a knife configured to cut into tissue captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially proximate the ramp surface so that the nail is ejected before the knife.

Figure 1 illustrates a motor-driven surgical system 10 that can be used to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. As seen in this figure, one example of surgical system 10 includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100 , 200 , 300 , and 1000 , each of which is adapted to be interchangeable with handle assembly 500 use together. Each of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 1000 may be designed for use in conjunction with the performance of one or more specific surgical procedures. In another surgical system embodiment, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly may be effectively used with a robotically controlled surgical system or a tool drive assembly of an automated surgical system. For example, the surgical tool assemblies disclosed herein may be used with a variety of robotic systems, instruments, components and methods such as, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Patent 9,072,535 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLESTAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS" The entire text is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 illustrates one form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 operably coupled to handle assembly 500. FIG. 3 illustrates attachment of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to handle assembly 500. The attachment arrangement and method depicted in Figure 3 may also be used in conjunction with attachment of any of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 1000 to a tool drive portion or tool driver housing of a robotic system. The handle assembly 500 can include a handle housing 502 including a pistol grip portion 504 that can be grasped and manipulated by a clinician. As will be discussed briefly below, handle assembly 500 operatively supports a plurality of drive systems configured to generate and impart various control motions to devices operably attached thereto. Corresponding portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and/or 1000 on.

Referring now to Figure 3, the handle assembly 500 may also include a frame 506 operatively supporting a plurality of drive systems. For example, frame 506 may operatively support a "first" or closure actuation system, generally designated 510, which may be used to impart closing and opening motion to operably attached or coupled components. Interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and/or 1000 to handle assembly 500. In at least one form, closure drive system 510 may include an actuator in the form of closure trigger 512 pivotally supported by frame 506 . Such a configuration would enable the closure trigger 512 to be manipulated by a clinician such that when the clinician holds the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500, the closure trigger 512 can pivot from an actuated or “unactuated” position. Turn to the "actuated" position and more specifically pivot to the fully compressed or fully actuated position. In various forms, the closure drive system 510 also includes a closure link assembly 514 that is pivotally coupled to or otherwise operably connected with the closure trigger 512 . As will be discussed in further detail below, closure link assembly 514 includes lateral attachment pins 516 that facilitate attachment to a corresponding drive system on the surgical tool assembly. To actuate the closure drive system, the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512 toward the pistol grip 504 . As further detailed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/226,142, when the clinician fully presses Upon closing the trigger 512 to achieve a full closing stroke, the closing drive system is configured to lock the closing trigger 512 into a fully depressed or fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 512 to allow the closure trigger 512 to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply activates the closure release button assembly 518 that enables the closure trigger to return to the unactuated position. The closure release button 518 may also be configured to interact with various sensors that communicate with the microcontroller 520 in the handle assembly 500 for tracking the position of the closure trigger 512 . Further details regarding the construction and operation of the closure release button assembly 518 can be found in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575.

In at least one form, the handle assembly 500 and the frame 506 may operatively support another drive system, referred to herein as the firing drive system 530, configured to impart a firing action to a device attached to the Its counterpart on the interchangeable surgical tool assembly. As described in detail in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575, the firing drive system 530 may employ an electric motor located in the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500 (not shown in Figures 1-3). In various forms, the motor may be, for example, a DC brush drive motor with a maximum speed of approximately 25,000 RPM. In other constructions, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor may be powered by a power source 522, which in one form may include a removable power pack. The power pack may support multiple lithium-ion ("LI") or other suitable batteries therein. A plurality of batteries connectable in series may be used as power source 522 for surgical system 10 . Additionally, power source 522 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

The electric motor is configured to drive the longitudinally movable drive member 540 axially in the distal and proximal directions depending on the polarity of the voltage applied to the motor. For example, when the motor is driven in one rotational direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 will be driven axially in the distal direction "DD". When the motor is driven in the opposite rotational direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 will be driven axially in the proximal direction "PD". The handle assembly 500 may include a switch 513 that may be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor by the power source 522 or otherwise control the motor. The handle assembly 500 may also include one or more sensors configured to detect the position of the drive member 540 and/or the direction of movement of the drive member 540 . Actuation of the motor may be controlled by a firing trigger 532 (FIG. 1) pivotally supported on the handle assembly 500. The firing trigger 532 is pivotable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger 532 may be biased into the unactuated position by a spring or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger 532, the firing trigger 532 may pivot or otherwise be pivoted by the spring or other biasing arrangement. Return to unactuated position. In at least one form, the firing trigger 532 may be positioned "outboard" of the closing trigger 512 as described above. As discussed in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575, the handle assembly 500 may be equipped with a firing trigger safety button to prevent inadvertent actuation of the firing trigger 532 . The safety button is contained in the handle assembly 500 when the closing trigger 512 is in the unactuated position, in which case the safety button is not readily accessible to the clinician and disables the safety button in a manner that prevents actuation of the firing trigger 532 Movement between the safety position and the firing position in which firing trigger 532 may be fired. When the clinician depresses the closing trigger 512, the safety button and firing trigger 532 pivot downward where they can then be manipulated by the clinician.

In at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 may have a rack formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear arrangement that interfaces with the motor. Further details regarding those features can be found in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575. In at least one form, the handle assembly 500 also includes a manually actuatable "bailout" assembly configured to enable a clinician to manually move the longitudinally movable drive member 540 with the motor disabled. retraction. The rescue assembly may include a lever or rescue handle assembly that is stored within handle assembly 500 below releasable door 550 . The lever is configured to be manually pivotable into engagement with a toothed ratchet in drive member 540 . Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member 540 using the rescue handle assembly to ratchet the drive member 5400 in the proximal direction "PD." U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/249,117 entitled "POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITHMANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM" (now U.S. Patent 8,608,045, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) discloses salvage arrangements and Rescue arrangements may also be employed with the various surgical tool assemblies disclosed herein.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a surgical end effector 110 that includes a first jaw and a second jaw. In one arrangement, the first jaw includes an elongated channel 112 configured to operatively support a surgical staple cartridge 116 therein. The second jaw includes an anvil 114 pivotally supported relative to the elongated channel 112 . The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a lockable articulation joint 120 that can be configured to releasably retain the end effector 110 in a desired position relative to the shaft axis SA. Details regarding the various construction and operation of end effector 110, articulation joint 120, and articulation lock are set forth in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK" (now U.S. Pat. Application Publication 2014/0263541, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference). As further seen in Figures 2 and 3, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 can include a proximal housing or nozzle 130 and a closure tube assembly 140 that can be used to close and/or open the end effector. 110 anvil 114. As discussed in US Patent Application Publication 2015/0272575, the closure tube assembly 140 is movably supported on a spine 145 that supports an articulation driver arrangement 147 configured to impart articulation motion to the surgical end effector. 110. Ridge 145 is configured to: first, slidably support firing rod 170 therein; and second, to slidably support closure tube assembly 140 extending about ridge 145 . In each case, ridge 145 includes a proximal end rotatably supported in base 150 . See Figure 3. In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end of spine 145 is attached to a spine bearing configured to be supported within base 150 . This arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of spine 145 to base 150 such that spine 145 can selectively rotate relative to base 150 about shaft axis SA.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes closure shuttle 160 slidably supported within base 150 such that closure shuttle 160 can move axially relative to base 150 . As seen in FIG. 3 , closure shuttle 160 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 162 configured to attach to attachment pins 516 that attach to the closure link assembly in handle assembly 500 514. The proximal closure tube section 146 of the closure tube assembly 140 is rotatably coupled to the closure shuttle 160 . Therefore, when hook 162 hooks on pin 516, actuation of closure trigger 512 will cause axial movement of closure shuttle 160 and ultimately closure tube assembly 140 on spine 145. The closure spring may also be journalled to the closure tube assembly 140 and used to bias the closure tube assembly 140 in the proximal direction "PD", which may be used when the shaft assembly 100 is operably coupled to the handle assembly 500. The closure trigger 512 pivots into the unactuated position. In use, closure tube assembly 140 translates distally (direction DD) to close anvil 114 in response to actuation of closure trigger 512 . Closure tube assembly 140 includes a distal closure tube section 142 that is pivotally pinned to the distal end of a proximal closure tube section 146 . The distal closure segment 142 is configured to move axially with the proximal closure segment 146 relative to the surgical end effector 110 . When the distal end of the distal closure segment 142 strikes the proximal surface or flange 115 on the anvil 114, the anvil 114 pivots closed. Further details regarding the closure of the anvil 114 can be found in the aforementioned US Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541 and will be discussed in further detail below. The anvil 114 is opened by translating the distal closure tube segment 142 proximally, as also described in detail in US Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541. The distal closure segment 142 has a horseshoe-shaped hole 143 therein defining a downwardly extending return tab that cooperates with an anvil tab 117 formed on the proximal end of the anvil 114 to allow the anvil 114 to pivot. Return to open position. In the fully open position, the closure tube assembly 140 is in its most proximal or unactuated position.

Also mentioned above, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a firing rod 170 that is supported for axial travel within the spine 145 . Firing rod 170 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion configured to attach to a distal cutting portion or blade configured for axial travel through a surgical end effector. 110. In at least one arrangement, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a clutch assembly that can be configured to selectively and releasably couple the articulation driver to the firing rod 170 . More details regarding the characteristics and operation of the clutch assembly can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541. As discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541, when the clutch assembly is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing lever 170 may cause the articulation driver arrangement 147 to move distally, and accordingly, the firing lever 170 Proximal movement may move the articulation driver arrangement 147 proximally. When the clutch assembly is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing lever 170 is not transmitted to the articulation driver arrangement 147 and, therefore, the firing lever 170 can move independently of the articulation driver arrangement 147 . The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 may also include a slip ring assembly that may be configured to conduct power to and/or from the end effector 110 and/or to transmit signals to The end effector 110 and/or signals are transmitted from the end effector. More details about the slip ring assembly can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541. U.S. patent application serial number 13/800,067 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552, is incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent 9,345,481 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM" is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , base 150 has one or more tapered attachment portions 152 formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail-shaped slots 507 formed in the distal end of frame 506 . Each dovetail slot 507 may be tapered, or in other words, may be slightly V-shaped to receive the tapered attachment portion 152 therein in a seated manner. As can be further seen in FIG. 3 , a shaft attachment lug 172 is formed on the proximal end of the firing shaft 170 . When the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is coupled to the handle assembly 500 , the shaft attachment lug 172 is received in a firing shaft attachment bracket 542 formed in the distal end of the longitudinally movable drive member 540 . The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also employs a latch system 180 for releasably locking the shaft assembly 100 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500 . In at least one form, for example, the latch system 180 includes a locking member or locking yoke 182 movably coupled to the base 150 . Locking yoke 182 includes two proximally projecting locking lugs 184 configured for releasable engagement with corresponding locking pawls or grooves 509 in the distal attachment flange of frame 506 Ground connection. In various forms, the locking yoke 182 is biased in the proximal direction by a spring or biasing member. Actuation of the locking yoke 182 may be accomplished by a latch button 186 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly mounted to the base 150 . The latch button 186 may be biased in a proximal direction relative to the locking yoke 182 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the locking yoke 182 can be moved to the unlocked position by biasing the latch button 186 in the distal direction DD, which also causes the locking yoke 182 to pivot away from the distal side of the frame 506 The attachment flange remains engaged. When the locking yoke 182 "remains engaged" with the distal attachment flange of the frame 506 , the locking lugs 184 remain seated within corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506 . More details about the latching system can be found in US Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541.

To attach interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to handle assembly 500A, the clinician may position base 150 of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 over or near the distal end of frame 506 such that the base 150 formed on base 150 The tapered attachment portion 152 is aligned with the dovetail slot 507 in the frame 506 . The clinician may then move the surgical tool assembly 100 along the mounting axis IA perpendicular to the shaft axis SA so that the tapered attachment portion 152 is positioned operable with the corresponding dovetail receiving slot 507 in the distal end of the frame 506 Ground connection. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug 172 on the firing shaft 170 will also be seated in the bracket 542 in the longitudinally movable drive member 540 and the portion of the pin 516 on the closing link 514 will be seated in the closing shuttle. corresponding hook 162 in piece 160. As used herein, the term "operably engaged" in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with each other such that the components perform their intended actions, functions and/or upon application of an actuation movement thereto. program.

Returning now to FIG. 1 , surgical system 10 includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100 , 200 , 300 , and 1000 , each of which can be effectively used with the same handle assembly 500 to perform different procedures. of surgery. The construction of an exemplary form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is discussed briefly above and in further detail in US Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541. Various details regarding interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 200 and 300 can be found in various U.S. patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference. Various details regarding the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 are discussed in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1 , surgical tool assemblies 100 , 200 , 300 , and 1000 each include a pair of jaws, at least one of which is movable to capture, manipulate, and/or clamp tissue between the two jaws. . The movable jaw moves between an open position and a closed position when closing and opening motions are applied thereto by a robot or automated surgical system operatively coupled to the handle assembly or surgical tool assembly. Additionally, each of the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assemblies includes a firing member configured to cut tissue and fire staples from a staple cartridge that responds to the manipulation of the staples by the handle assembly or the robotic system. The applied firing action is supported in a jaw. Each surgical tool assembly may be uniquely designed to perform a specific procedure, for example, for cutting and fastening a specific type and thickness of tissue in a specific area of the body. The closing, firing, and articulation control systems in the handle assembly 500 or the robotic system may be configured to generate axially controlled motions and/or rotations depending on the type of closing, firing, and articulation system configuration employed in the surgical tool assembly. Control the action. In one arrangement, when the closure control system in the handle assembly or robotic system is fully actuated, one of the closure system control components moves axially from the unactuated position to its fully actuated position. The axial distance a closure tube assembly moves when moving from its unactuated position to its fully actuated position may be referred to herein as its "closure stroke length." Similarly, when the handle assembly or firing system in a robotic system is fully actuated, one of the firing system control components moves axially from its unactuated position to its fully actuated or firing position. The axial distance that a longitudinally movable drive member moves when moving from its unactuated position to its fully fired position may be referred to herein as its "firing stroke length." For those surgical tool assemblies employing an articulable end effector arrangement, the handle assembly or robotic system may employ an articulation control component that moves axially through an "articulation drive stroke length." In many cases, the closing stroke length, firing stroke length, and articulation actuation stroke length are fixed for a particular handle assembly or robotic system. Accordingly, each of the surgical tool assemblies must be capable of accommodating closing, firing, and/or controlled movements of the articulating components through each of its full lengths of travel without undue stress on the surgical tool components because This may cause damage to surgical tool components.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-10 , the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a surgical end effector 1100 including an elongated channel 1102 configured to operably support a staple cartridge 1110 therein. End effector 1100 may also include an anvil 1130 pivotally supported relative to elongated channel 1102 . The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include an articulation joint 1200 and an articulation lock 1210 (Fig. 5 and Figs. 8-10), which may be configured to enable the end effector 1100 to be positioned relative to the shaft axis SA Releasably holds in position for desired joint movement. Details regarding the construction and operation of articulation lock 1210 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541, the entire disclosure of which is hereby disclosed. Incorporated herein by reference. Additional details regarding the articulation lock can also be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,196, filed on February 9, 2016, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. incorporated into this article. As seen in FIG. 7 , the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include a proximal housing or nozzle 1300 consisting of nozzle portions 1302 , 1304 and an actuator wheel portion 1306 , configured such as by snaps, lugs, etc. and/or screws to couple to the assembled nozzle portions 1302, 1304. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include a closure tube assembly 1400 that may be used to close and/or open the anvil 1130 of the end effector 1100, as will be discussed in further detail below. Referring now primarily to FIGS. 8 and 9 , interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may include a spine assembly 1500 that may be configured to support articulation lock 1210 . Spine assembly 1500 includes a "elastic" spine or frame member 1510, which is described in further detail below. The distal end portion 1522 of the resilient spine member 1510 is attached to a distal frame segment 1560 that operably supports the articulation lock 1210 therein. As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, the spine assembly 1500 is configured to: first, slidably support the firing member assembly 1600 therein; and second, slidably support the closure tube assembly 1400 extending around the spine assembly 1500. Spine assembly 1500 may also be configured to slidably support proximal articulation driver 1700.

As shown in FIG. 10 , distal frame segment 1560 is pivotally coupled to elongated channel 1102 via end effector mounting assembly 1230 . For example, in one arrangement, the distal end 1562 of the distal frame segment 1560 has a pivot pin 1564 formed thereon. The pivot pin 1564 is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole 1234 formed in the pivot base portion 1232 of the end effector mounting assembly 1230 . The end effector mounting assembly 1230 is attached to the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102 via a spring pin 1108 or other suitable member. Pivot pin 1564 defines an axis of articulation B-B transverse to shaft axis SA. See Figure 4. This arrangement facilitates pivotal travel (ie, articulation) of the end effector 1100 relative to the spine assembly 1500 about the articulation axis B-B.

Still referring to FIG. 10 , articulation driver 1700 has a distal end 1702 configured to operably engage articulation lock 1210 . Articulation lock 1210 includes an articulation frame 1212 adapted to operatively engage a drive pin 1238 on a pivot base portion 1232 of end effector mounting assembly 1230 . Additionally, a cross-connect 1237 may be connected to the drive pin 1238 and articulation frame 1212 to assist in articulation of the end effector 1100 . As discussed above, further details regarding the operation of articulation lock 1210 and articulation frame 1212 can be found in US Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086, now US Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541. Additional details regarding the end effector mounting assembly and cross-connect can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS" filed on February 9, 2016. The entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. In each case, resilient spine member 1510 includes a proximal end 1514 rotatably supported in base 1800 . In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end 1514 of the resilient spine member 1510 has threads 1516 formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing configured to be supported within the base 1800 . Such an arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the resilient spine member 1510 to the base 1800 such that the spine assembly 1500 can be selectively rotated relative to the base 1800 about the shaft axis SA.

Referring primarily to FIG. 7 , the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a closure shuttle 1420 slidably supported within the base 1800 such that the closure shuttle 1420 can move axially relative to the base 1800 . In one form, closure shuttle 1420 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1421 configured to attach to attachment pins 516 that attach to the handle Closure link assembly 514 of assembly 500, as discussed above. The proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 is rotatably coupled to the closure shuttle 1420. For example, the U-shaped connector 1424 is inserted into the annular slot 1414 in the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure segment 1410 and retained within the vertical slot 1422 in the closure shuttle 1420 . See Figure 7. Such an arrangement serves to attach the proximal closure tube segment 1410 to the closure shuttle 1420 to travel axially with the closure shuttle while enabling rotation of the closure tube assembly 1400 relative to the closure shuttle 1420 about the shaft axis SA . A closure spring journal is coupled to the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 and serves to bias the closure tube assembly 1400 in the proximal direction PD, which may be used to operably position the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 When coupled to the handle assembly 500, the closure trigger 512 on the handle assembly 500 (FIG. 3) is pivoted to the unactuated position.

As described above, the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes an articulation joint 1200 . However, other interchangeable surgical tool components may not allow for articulation. As seen in Figure 10, upper tang 1415 and lower tang 1416 project distally from the distal end of proximal closure tube section 1410 to be movably coupled to the end effector closure sleeve of closure tube assembly 1400 or Distally closed tube segment 1430. As seen in Figure 10, distal closure tube section 1430 includes an upper tang 1434 and a lower tang 1436 protruding proximally from its proximal end. The upper dual pivot connection 1220 includes proximal and distal pins that engage corresponding holes in the upper tangs 1415, 1434 of the proximal closure tube section 1410 and the distal closure tube section 1430, respectively. Similarly, lower dual pivot connection 1222 includes proximal and distal pins that engage corresponding portions of lower tangs 1416 and 1436 of proximal and distal closure segments 1410 and 1430, respectively. hole. As will be discussed in further detail below, distal and proximal axial translation of the closure tube assembly 1400 will cause the anvil 1130 to close and open relative to the elongated channel 1102.

As described above, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 also includes a firing member assembly 1600 that is supported for axial travel within the spine assembly 1500 . Firing member assembly 1600 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 configured to attach to a distal cutting portion or blade 1610 . Firing member assembly 1600 may also be referred to herein as a "second shaft" and/or a "second shaft assembly." As seen in Figures 7-10, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 can include a longitudinal slot 1604 in its distal end that can be configured to receive a tab on the proximal end of the blade 1610 . The longitudinal slot 1604 and the proximal end of the blade 1610 may be sized and configured such that they permit relative movement therebetween and may include a sliding joint 1612 . The sliding joint 1612 may allow movement of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600 to articulate the end effector 1100 without moving, or at least substantially moving, the cutter bar 1610 . Once the end effector 1100 has been properly oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 can be advanced distally until the proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 1604 contacts the tab on the blade 1610 to advance the blade 1610 and The nail cartridge 1110 positioned within the elongated channel 1102 is fired. As can further be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the resilient spine member 1520 has an elongated opening or window 1525 therein to facilitate assembly and insertion of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 into the resilient spine member 1520 . Once the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 has been inserted into the resilient spine member 1520, the top frame segment 1527 can be engaged with the resilient spine member to enclose the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 and knife bar 1610 therein. Further description regarding the operation of firing member assembly 1600 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086 (now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541).

In addition to the above, the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 may include a clutch assembly 1620 that may be configured to selectively and releasably couple the articulation driver 1700 to the firing member assembly 1600 . In one form, the clutch assembly 1620 includes a locking bushing or locking sleeve 1622 positioned about the firing member assembly 1600, wherein the locking sleeve 1622 is rotatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in which the locking sleeve 1622 couples the articulation driver 1700 to the firing member assembly 1600 in the disengaged position, the articulation driver 1700 is not operably coupled to the firing member assembly 1600. When locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, distal movement of firing member assembly 1600 may move articulation driver 1700 distally, and correspondingly, proximal movement of firing member assembly 1600 may move articulation driver 1700 proximally. sports. When the locking sleeve 1622 is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing member assembly 1600 is not transmitted to the articulation driver 1700 and, therefore, the firing member assembly 1600 can move independently of the articulation driver 1700 . In various situations, the articulation driver 1700 may be held in place by the articulation lock 1210 when the articulation driver 1700 is not moved in the proximal or distal direction by the firing member assembly 1600 .

Referring primarily to FIG. 7 , locking sleeve 1622 may include a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical body including a longitudinal bore 1624 defined therein and configured to receive firing member assembly 1600 . Locking sleeve 1622 may include diametrically opposed inwardly facing locking tabs 1626, 1628 and outwardly facing locking members 1629. The locking tabs 1626, 1628 may be configured to selectively engage the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600. More specifically, when the locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, the locking tabs 1626, 1628 are positioned within the drive recess 1605 defined in the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 such that the distal thrust and/or the proximal pull can Passed from firing member assembly 1600 to locking sleeve 1622. When locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, second locking member 1629 is received within drive recess 1704 defined in articulation driver 1700 such that distal push and/or proximal pull forces applied to locking sleeve 1622 can passed to the joint motion driver 1700. Indeed, when locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, firing member assembly 1600, locking sleeve 1622, and articulation driver 1700 will move together. On the other hand, when the locking sleeve 1622 is in its disengaged position, the locking tabs 1626, 1628 may not be positioned within the drive recess 1605 of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600; and therefore, the distal thrust and/or Or proximal pulling force may not be transferred from firing member assembly 1600 to locking sleeve 1622. Accordingly, distal push forces and/or proximal pull forces may not be transmitted to articulation driver 1700 . In such cases, firing member assembly 1600 may slide proximally and/or distally relative to locking sleeve 1622 and proximal articulation driver 1700 . Clutch assembly 1620 also includes a switching barrel 1630 that engages locking sleeve 1622 . Additional details regarding the operation of the switching barrel and locking sleeve 1622 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086 (now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541 and Serial No. 15/019,196). The switching barrel 1630 may also include at least partially circumferential openings 1632, 1634 defined therein that may receive peripheral mounting brackets 1305 extending from the nozzle halves 1302, 1304 and allow for switching between the switching barrel 1630 and the proximal nozzle 1300. relative rotation but not relative translation. See Figure 6. Rotation of the nozzle 1300 to the point where the mount reaches its end of the corresponding slot 1632, 1634 in the switching barrel 1630 will cause the switching barrel 1630 to rotate about the shaft axis SA. Rotation of the switching barrel 1630 will ultimately cause the locking sleeve 1622 to move between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle 1300 may be used to operatively engage and disengage the articulation drive system from the firing drive system in various manners described in greater detail in the following patent application: U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086, Currently U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,196; each of these patents is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In the illustrated arrangement, switching barrel 1630 includes an L-shaped slot 1636 that extends into distal opening 1637 in switching barrel 1630 . The distal opening 1637 receives the transverse pin 1639 of the moving plate 1638. In one example, the moving plate 1638 is received within a longitudinal slot provided in the locking sleeve 1622 to facilitate axial movement of the locking sleeve 1622 when the locking sleeve 1622 is engaged with the articulation driver 1700 . Further details regarding the operation of the moving plate and moving drum arrangement can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/868,718 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH SHAFTRELEASE, POWERED FIRING AND POWERED ARTICULATION" filed on September 28, 2015 (now U.S. Patent Publication 2017/0086823), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 may include a slip ring assembly 1640 that may be configured to conduct power to and/or from the end effector 1100 Power is conducted and/or signals are transmitted to and/or from the end effector 1100 back to, for example, a microcontroller or a robotic system controller in the handle assembly. Additional details regarding slip ring assembly 1640 and associated connectors can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086 (now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263541) and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,196 (both patent applications Each is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/800,067 entitled "STAPLECARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM" (now U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0263552, which U.S. Patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) found in this article). Also as described in further detail in the aforementioned patent applications, which have been incorporated herein by reference, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switching barrel 1630 .

Referring again to Figure 7, base 1800 includes one or more tapered attachment portions 1802 formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail-shaped slots 507 formed in Within the distal end portion of the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500, as discussed above. As can further be seen in Figure 7, a shaft attachment lug 1605 is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft 1602. As will be discussed in further detail below, when interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is coupled to handle assembly 500, shaft attachment lug 1605 is received in firing shaft attachment bracket 542, which is formed in in the distal end of longitudinal drive member 540. See Figure 3.

Various interchangeable surgical tool assemblies employ a latch system 1810 for removably coupling the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500 . In at least one form, as can be seen in FIG. 7 , the latch system 1810 includes a locking member or locking yoke 1812 movably coupled to the base 1800 . Locking yoke 1812 is U-shaped with two spaced and downwardly extending legs 1814 . The legs 1814 each have a pivot lug formed thereon capable of being received in a corresponding hole 1816 formed in the base 1800 . Such a configuration facilitates pivotal attachment of locking yoke 1812 to base 1800 . Locking yoke 1812 may include two proximally projecting locking lugs 1818 configured to engage corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of frame 506 of handle assembly 500 Releasably engages. See Figure 3. In various forms, the locking yoke 1812 is biased in the proximal direction by a spring or biasing member 1819. Actuation of the locking yoke 1812 may be accomplished by a latch button 1820 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1822 mounted to the chassis 1800 . Latch button 1820 may be biased in a proximal direction relative to locking yoke 1812 . The locking yoke 1812 can be moved to the unlocked position by biasing the latch button 1820 in a distal direction, which also causes the locking yoke 1812 to pivot out of engagement with the distal end of the frame 506 . When the locking yoke 1812 remains engaged with the distal end of the frame 506 , the locking lugs 1818 remain seated within corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506 .

In the arrangement shown, locking yoke 1812 includes at least one and preferably two locking hooks 1824 adapted to contact corresponding locking lug portions 1426 formed on closure shuttle 1420 . When the closure shuttle 1420 is in the unactuated position, the locking yoke 1812 can pivot in the distal direction to unlock the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 from the handle assembly 500 . When in this position, the locking hook 1824 does not contact the locking lug portion 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420 . However, when the closure shuttle 1420 moves to the actuated position, the locking yoke 1812 is prevented from pivoting to the unlocked position. In other words, if the clinician attempts to pivot the locking yoke 1812 to the unlocked position, or if, for example, the locking yoke 1812 is inadvertently bumped or contacted in a manner that might otherwise cause it to pivot distally, the locking yoke 1812 The locking hook 1824 will contact the locking lugs 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420 and prevent the locking yoke 1812 from moving to the unlocked position.

Still referring to Figure 10, the cutter bar 1610 may include a laminated beam structure including at least two beam layers. The beam layers may comprise, for example, stainless steel strips interconnected by, for example, welds and/or pins at their proximal ends and/or other locations along the length of the strips. In alternative embodiments, the distal ends of the straps are not connected together, allowing the laminate or straps to expand relative to each other as the end effector articulates. Such an arrangement allows the toolbar 1610 to be flexible enough to accommodate the articulation of the end effector. Various laminated toolbar arrangements are disclosed in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,245. As also seen in Figure 10, the intermediate support member 1614 serves to provide lateral support for the knife bar 1610 as the knife bar 1610 flexes to accommodate articulation of the surgical end effector 1100. Further details regarding the intermediate support member and alternative toolbar support arrangements are disclosed in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,245. As also seen in Figure 10, a firing member or knife member 1620 is attached to the distal end of the knife bar 1610.

FIG. 11 illustrates one form of firing member 1660 that may be used with interchangeable tool assembly 1000. Firing member 1660 includes a body portion 1662 that includes a proximally extending connector member 1663 configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped connector opening 1614 in the distal end of blade 1610 middle. See Figure 10. For example, connector 1663 may be retained within connector opening 1614 by friction, welding, and/or suitable adhesive. Referring to FIGS. 15-17 , body portion 1662 projects through elongated slot 1104 in elongated channel 1102 and terminates in laterally extending foot members 1664 on each side of body portion 1662 . When firing member 1660 is driven distally through surgical staple cartridge 1110 , foot member 1664 straddles elongated channel 1102 and is positioned within the passageway beneath surgical staple cartridge 1110 . As seen in Figure 11, the firing member 1660 may also include a laterally projecting central tab, pin or retainer feature 1680. When the firing member 1660 is driven distally through the surgical staple cartridge 1110, the central retainer feature 1680 straddles the inner surface 1106 of the elongated channel 1102. The body portion 1662 of the firing member 1660 also includes a tissue cutting edge or feature 1666 disposed between the distally projecting shoulder 1665 and the distally projecting top nose portion 1670 . As can be further seen in FIG. 11 , the firing member 1660 may also include two laterally extending top tab, pin, or anvil engagement features 1665 . See Figure 13 and Figure 14. When firing member 1660 is driven distally, the top portion of body 1662 extends through centrally located anvil slot 1138 ( FIG. 14 ), and top anvil engagement features 1672 straddle the anvil slot 1134 formed in on corresponding protrusions 1136 on each side.

Returning to FIG. 10 , firing member 1660 is configured to be operably connected with slider 1120 supported within body 1111 of surgical staple cartridge 1110 . The slider 1120 is slidably displaceable within the surgical staple cartridge body 1111 from a proximal end starting position adjacent the proximal end 1112 of the cartridge body 1111 to an end position adjacent the distal end 1113 of the cartridge body 1111 . The cartridge body 1111 operatively supports therein a plurality of staple drivers (not shown in Figure 10) aligned in rows on each side of a centrally located slot 1114. The centrally positioned slot 1114 allows the firing member 1660 to pass therethrough and cut tissue sandwiched between the anvil 1130 and the staple cartridge 1110 . The driver is associated with a corresponding recess 1115 that passes through the upper platform surface of the cartridge body. Each of the staple drivers supports one or more surgical staples or fasteners thereon. Slide 1120 includes a plurality of angled or wedge-shaped cams 1122 , where each cam 1122 corresponds to a particular line of fastener or driver located on the side of slot 1114 . In the illustrated example, one cam 1122 is aligned with a row of "double" drives that each support two nails or fasteners thereon, and the other cam 1122 is on the same side of the slot 1114 Aligned with another row of "single" actuators, each of which supports a single surgical staple or fastener thereon. Thus, in the illustrated example, when the surgical staple cartridge 1110 is "fired," there will be three rows of staples on each side of the tissue cutting line. However, other cartridge and driver configurations may be used to fire other staple/fastener arrangements. Slide 1120 has a central body portion 1124 configured to be engageable by shoulder 1665 of firing member 1660 . When firing member 1660 is fired or driven distally, firing member 1660 also drives slide 1120 distally. As firing member 1660 moves distally through cartridge 1110, tissue cutting features 1666 cut tissue clamped between anvil assembly 1130 and cartridge 1110, and slider 1120 drives the driver in the cartridge upward, which The corresponding nail or fastener is driven into contact with the anvil assembly 1130 .

In embodiments where the firing member includes a tissue cutting surface, it may be desirable that the elongated shaft assembly be constructed in such a manner that unless the unused staple cartridge is properly supported in the elongated channel 1102 of the surgical end effector 1100 in, otherwise preventing accidental advancement of the firing member. For example, if no staple cartridge is present and the firing member is advanced distally through the end effector, the tissue will be severed but not stapled. Similarly, if there is an exhausted staple cartridge in the end effector (i.e., a staple cartridge from which at least some staples have been fired) and the firing member is advanced, the tissue will be severed, but may not be completely stapled live. It should be understood that such situations may lead to undesirable results during surgical procedures. U.S. Patent 6,988,649 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT" and U.S. Patent 7,044,352 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISMFOR PREVENTION OF FIRING" titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHAN" ISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING" U.S. Patent 7,380,695, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/742,933 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENTOR MISSING" each disclose various firing member locking arrangements. Each of these U.S. patents is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

An "unfired", "unused", "fresh" or "new" fastener bin 1110 means that the fastener bin 1110 has all of its fasteners in their "ready to fire" position. The new cartridge 1110 is positioned within the elongated channel 1102 and may be retained therein by snap features on the cartridge body configured to retain engagement with a corresponding portion of the elongated channel 1102 . 15 and 18 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 1100 with a new or unfired surgical staple cartridge 1110 disposed therein. As can be seen in Figures 15 and 18, the slider 1120 is in its starting position. To prevent the firing system from being activated, and more specifically, to prevent the firing member 1660 from being driven distally through the end effector 1110 unless an unfired or new surgical staple cartridge has been properly seated within the elongated channel 1102 , the otherwise interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 employs a firing member locking system generally designated 1650.

Referring now to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 15-19 , the firing member locking system 1650 includes a movable locking member 1652 configured to enable the new surgical staple cartridge 1110 to be improperly positioned within the elongated channel 1102 The firing member 1660 remains engaged. More specifically, locking member 1652 includes at least one laterally movable locking portion 1654 configured to remain engaged with a corresponding portion of firing member 1660 when slide 1120 is not present within cartridge 1110 in its home position. In effect, the locking member 1652 employs two laterally moving locking portions 1654 that each engage a laterally extending portion of the firing member 1660 . Other latching arrangements can be used.

The locking member 1652 includes a generally U-shaped spring member with each laterally movable leg or locking portion 1654 extending from a central spring portion 1653 and configured to be indicated by an "L" in Figures 18 and 19 Movement in lateral direction. It will be understood that the term "lateral" refers to a direction transverse to the shaft axis SA (Fig. 2). For example, spring or locking member 1652 may be made from high strength spring steel and/or similar materials. Center spring portion 1653 is seated within slot 1236 in end effector mounting assembly 1230 . See Figure 10. As can be seen in Figures 15-17, each of the laterally moveable legs or locking portions 1654 has a distal end 1656 having a locking window 1658 therein. When locking member 1652 is in the locked position, center retainer features 1680 on each side of firing member 1660 extend into corresponding locking windows 1658 defined in locking portion 1654 to retain the firing member from being distally or axially Pushing toward the ground.

The operation of the firing member locking system will be described with reference to Figures 15-19. Figures 15 and 18 illustrate a portion of the surgical end effector 1100 with the new unfired cartridge 1110 properly installed in the portion. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 18 , slide 1120 includes unlocking features 1126 that correspond to each of laterally movable locking portions 1654 . An unlocking feature 1126 is provided on or extends proximally from each central wedge cam 1122 . In an alternative arrangement, the unlocking feature 1126 may include a corresponding proximal projection of the wedge cam 1122 . As can be seen in Figure 18, when the slide 1120 is in its home position, the unlocking feature 1124 engages the corresponding locking portion 1654 and biases it laterally in a direction transverse to the shaft axis SA (Figure 2). When the locking portion 1654 is in such an unlocked orientation, the central retainer feature 1680 does not remain engaged with the locking window 1658 . In such cases, firing member 1660 may be advanced (fired) distally or axially. However, when the cartridge is not present in the elongated channel 1102 or the slide 1120 has moved out of its starting position (which means the cartridge is partially or fully fired), the locking portion 1654 laterally resiliently remains engaged with the firing member 1660 . In such a situation, referring to Figure 19, the firing member 1660 is unable to move distally.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the firing member 1660 retracting to its starting or unfired position after performing a staple firing stroke as discussed above. Figure 16 depicts the initial re-engagement of retention features 1680 and their corresponding locking windows 1658. Figure 17 shows the retention feature in its locked position when the firing member 1660 has been fully retracted to its starting position. To assist in lateral displacement of the locking portion 1654 when the portion comes into contact with the proximally moving retention features 1680, each of the retention features 1680 may be provided with a proximally facing, laterally tapered end part. Such a latching system prevents the firing member 1660 from being actuated when a new unfired cartridge is not present or when a new unfired cartridge is present but not properly seated in the elongated channel 1102 . Additionally, the latching system may prevent the clinician from distally advancing the firing member if a spent or partially fired cartridge has been inadvertently seated correctly within the elongated channel. Another advantage that the latching system 1650 may provide is that, unlike other firing member latching arrangements that require movement of the firing member to align and misalign with corresponding slots/passages in the staple cartridge, the firing member 1660 when in the locked and unlocked positions Maintain alignment with bin access. The locking portion 1654 is designed to be laterally movable to engage and disengage corresponding sides of the firing member. Such lateral movement of the locking portion or portions may distinguish it from other locking arrangements that move in a vertical direction to engage and disengage portions of the firing member.

Returning to Figures 13 and 14, anvil 1130 includes an elongated anvil body portion 1132 and a proximal anvil mounting portion 1150. The elongated anvil body portion 1132 includes an outer surface 1134 that defines two downwardly extending tissue stop members 1136 adjacent the proximal anvil mounting portion 1150 . The elongated anvil body portion 1132 also includes an underside 1135 that defines an elongated anvil slot 1138 . In the example arrangement shown in Figure 14, anvil slot 1138 is centrally located in underside 1135. The underside 1135 includes three rows 1140 , 1141 , 1142 of staple-forming dimples 1143 , 1144 and 1145 positioned on each side of the anvil slot 1138 . Adjacent to each side of the anvil slot 1138 are two elongated anvil passages 1146. Each passageway 1146 has a proximal ramp portion 1148 . See Figure 13. As firing member 1660 is advanced distally, top anvil engagement feature 1632 initially enters corresponding proximal ramp portion 1148 and enters corresponding elongated anvil passage 1146 .

Turning to FIGS. 12 and 13 , anvil slot 1138 and proximal ramp portion 1148 extend into anvil mounting portion 1150 . In other words, the anvil slot 1138 divides or divides the anvil mounting portion 1150 into two anvil attachment flanges 1151 . The anvil attachment flanges 1151 are coupled together at their proximal ends by connecting bridges 1153 . The connection bridge 1153 supports the anvil attachment flange 1151 and may serve to make the anvil mounting portion 1150 more rigid than the mounting portions of other anvil arrangements that are not connected together at their proximal ends. Also seen in Figures 12 and 14, the anvil slot 1138 has a wider portion 1139 to accommodate the top portion of the firing member 1660 including the top anvil engagement feature 1632 when the firing member 1660 is in its proximal unfired position. .

As can be seen in Figures 13 and 20-24, each of the anvil attachment flanges 1151 includes a lateral mounting hole 1156 configured to receive a pivot pin 1158 therethrough (Fig. 10 and Figure 20). The anvil mounting portion 1150 is pivotally pinned to the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102 by a pivot pin 1158 that extends through a mounting hole 1107 in the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102 and the anvil. Mounting holes 1156 in the base mounting portion 1150. This arrangement pivotally attaches the anvil 1130 to the elongated channel 1102s such that the anvil 1130 is pivotable about a fixed anvil axis A-A transverse to the shaft axis SA. See Figure 5. The anvil mounting portion 1150 also includes a cam surface 1152 that extends from the concentrated firing member parking area 1154 to the outer surface 1134 of the anvil body portion 1132 .

In addition to the above, the anvil 1130 may be moved between an open position and a closed position by axially advancing and retracting the distal closure tube segment 1430, as discussed further below. The distal end portion of distal closure tube segment 1430 has an internal cam surface formed thereon that is configured to engage cam surface 1552 or a cam surface formed on anvil mounting portion 1150 and move anvil 1130 . 22 shows a cam surface 1152a formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150 to establish a single contact path 1155a with an inner cam surface 1444, such as on the distal closure tube section 1430. Figure 23 illustrates cam surface 1152b configured relative to internal cam surface 1444 on distal closure tube section such that cam surface 1152 on anvil mounting portion 1150 is consistent with internal cam surface 1444 on distal closure tube section 1430 Two separate and different arcuate contact paths 1155b are established. This arrangement may better distribute the closing force from the distal closure segment 1430 to the anvil 1130, in addition to other potential advantages discussed herein. Figure 24 illustrates cam surface 1152c configured relative to internal cam surface 1444 of distal closure tube section 1430 to establish three different cam surfaces between anvil mounting portion 1150 and distal closure tube section 1430. Contact areas 1155c and 1155d. Zones 1155c, 1155d create a larger cam contact area between the distal closure tube section 1430 and the one or more cam surfaces on the anvil mounting portion 1150 and may better distribute the closing force to the anvil 1130.

When the distal closure tube segment 1430 cams the anvil mounting portion 1150 of the anvil 1130, the anvil 1130 pivots about the anvil axis AA (FIG. 5), which causes the distal end 1133 of the elongated anvil body portion 1132 to The end moves pivotally toward the surgical staple cartridge 1110 and the distal end 1105 of the elongated channel 1102 . As the anvil body portion 1132 begins to pivot, it contacts the tissue to be cut and sutured, which is now positioned between the underside 1135 of the elongated anvil body portion 1132 and the platform 1116 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110 . As anvil body portion 1132 is compressed against tissue, anvil 1130 may encounter considerable resistance and/or bending loads, for example. These resistances are overcome as the distal closure tube 1430 continues its distal advancement. However, depending on the amount of these resistance forces and the point at which they are applied to the anvil body portion 1132, these resistance forces may tend to cause a portion of the anvil 1130 to bend away from the staple cartridge 1110, which may generally be undesirable. For example, such bending may cause the firing member 1660 to be misaligned with the passages 1148, 1146 within the anvil 1130. In the case of excessive bending, such bending can significantly increase the amount of firing force required to fire the instrument (i.e., drive firing member 1660 through tissue from its starting position to its ending position). Such excessive firing force may result in, for example, damage to the end effector, firing member, cutter bar, and/or firing drive system components. Therefore, it may be advantageous to construct the anvil to resist such deflection.

Figures 25-27 illustrate an anvil 1130' that includes features that improve the stiffness of the anvil body and its resistance to bending forces that may occur during closing and/or firing processes. Except for the differences discussed herein, anvil 1130' may be identical in construction to anvil 1130 described above. As can be seen in Figures 25-27, anvil 1130' has an elongated anvil body 1132' having an upper body portion 1165 and an anvil cap 1170 attached thereto. The anvil cap 1170 is generally rectangular in shape and has an outer cap perimeter 1172, although the anvil cap 1170 may have any suitable shape. The perimeter 1172 of the anvil cap 1170 is configured to be insertable into a corresponding shaped opening 1137 formed in the upper body portion 1165 and to be positioned against an axially extending inner boss portion 1139 formed therein. See Figure 27. The inner boss portion 1139 is configured to support the corresponding long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 . In an alternative embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 can be slid onto the inner projection 1139 through an opening in the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132'. In yet another embodiment, no inner raised portion is provided. Anvil body 1132' and anvil cap 1170 may be made from a suitable metal that facilitates welding. The first weld 1178 may extend around the entire cap perimeter 1172 of the anvil cap 1170 , or it may be positioned only along the long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 and not along its distal end 1173 and/or its proximal end 1175 position. The first weld 1178 may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or interrupted. In those embodiments where the first weld 1178 is discontinuous or interrupted, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 , more densely spaced closer to the distal end of the long side 1177 , and /or more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177. In some arrangements, the weld segments may be more densely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 .

28-30 illustrate an anvil cap 1170' configured to mechanically interlock with anvil body 1132' and weldable to upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a plurality of retention structures 1182 are defined in a wall 1180 of the upper body portion 1165 that defines an opening 1137 . As used in this context, the term "mechanically interlocked" means that the anvil cap will remain attached to the elongated anvil body regardless of the orientation of the elongated anvil body and does not require any additional retention or fastening, such as welding and/or adhesive. Retaining structure 1182 may project inwardly from opening wall 1180 into opening 1137 , although any suitable arrangement may be used. Retention structure 1182 may be integrally formed in wall 1180 or otherwise attached thereto. The retention structure 1182 is designed to frictionally engage a corresponding portion of the anvil cap 1170' when the anvil cap 1170' is installed in the opening 1137 to frictionally retain the anvil cap 1170' therein. The retaining structure 1182 projects inwardly into the opening 1137 and is configured to be frictionally received within a corresponding shaped engagement area 1184 formed in the outer perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170'. The retaining structure 1182 corresponds only to the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170' and is not provided in the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the distal end 1173 or the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. In an alternative arrangement, the retaining structure 1182 may also be provided in the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the distal end 1173 and the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170' and its long side 1177'. In additional arrangements, the retaining structure 1182 may be provided in only the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to one or both of the distal end 1173 and the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. In additional arrangements, the retention structure 1182 may be provided in a portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177' and only one of the proximal end 1173 and the distal end 1175 of the anvil cover 1170'. It will also be understood that the retaining tabs in all of the foregoing embodiments may alternatively be formed on the anvil cap, with the engagement area being formed in the elongated anvil body.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 28-30, the retention structures 1182 are equidistantly spaced or evenly distributed along the wall portion 1180 of the anvil cap 1170'. In alternative embodiments, the distal end of the retention structures 1182 may be more densely spaced closer to the long edge 1177', or the proximal end closer to the long edge 1177' may be more densely spaced. In other words, the spacing between those retaining structures adjacent the distal end, adjacent the proximal end, or adjacent both the distal end and the proximal end may be less than that located in the central portion of the anvil cover 1170' space between structures. In additional arrangements, the retention structures 1182 may be more densely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'. In some alternative embodiments, the correspondingly shaped engagement area 1184 may not be provided in the outer perimeter 1172' or may not be provided in a portion of the outer perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170'. In other embodiments, the retention structures and correspondingly shaped engagement areas may be provided with different shapes and sizes. In an alternative arrangement, the retention structure may be sized relative to the engagement area such that there is no interference fit between the retention structure and the engagement area. In such an arrangement, the anvil cap may be held in place by welding and/or adhesive, for example.

In the example shown, weld 1178' extends around the entire perimeter 1172' of anvil cap 1170'. Alternatively, the weld 1178' is positioned along the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170' rather than its distal end 1173 and/or proximal end 1175. The weld 1178' may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or interrupted. In those embodiments where the weld 1178' is discontinuous or interrupted, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177' of the anvil cover 1170', or the weld segments may be closer to the distal end of the long side 1177'. They may be more densely spaced, or closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177'. In additional arrangements, the weld segments may be more densely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'.

Figures 31 and 32 illustrate another anvil arrangement 1130" with an anvil cap 1170" attached thereto. Anvil cap 1170" is generally rectangular in shape and has an outer cap perimeter 1172"; however, anvil cap 1170" may include any suitable configuration. Outer cap perimeter 1172" is configured to be inserted into anvil body 1132" correspondingly formed openings 1137" in the upper body portion 1165 and capable of being received on axially extending inner boss portions 1139" and 1190" formed therein. See Figure 32. Boss portions 1139" and 1190" are configured to support corresponding long sides 1177" of anvil cap 1170". In an alternative embodiment, anvil cap 1170" slides through an opening in distal end 1133" of anvil body 1132' onto inner projections 1139" and 1190". The anvil body 1132" and the anvil cap 1170" may be made of a metal material that facilitates welding. The first weld 1178" may extend around the entire perimeter 1172" of the anvil cap 1170", or it may be positioned only along the long edge 1177" of the anvil cap 1170" and not along its distal end 1173" and/or its Proximal end positioning. The weld 1178" may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or interrupted. It should be understood that compared to embodiments having straight peripheral sides, such as the anvil cover shown in Figure 26, due to the anvil Cover 1170" has an irregularly shaped perimeter, and the continuous weld embodiment has a greater weld surface area. In those embodiments where the weld 1178" is discontinuous or interrupted, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177" of the anvil cover 1170", or the weld segments may be closer to the distal end of the long side 1177". may be more densely spaced, or may be more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177". In alternative arrangements, the weld segments may be centered on the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170" more densely spaced in areas.

Still referring to Figures 31 and 32, the anvil cover 1170" may be additionally welded to the anvil body 1132" by a plurality of second discrete "deep" welds 1192". For example, each weld 1192" may be placed through Anvil cover 1170" is provided with corresponding holes or openings 1194" at the bottom such that discrete welds 1192" can be formed along the portion of anvil body 1132" between protrusions 1190" and 1139". See Figure 32. The welds 1192" may be evenly spaced along the long side 1177" of the anvil cover 1170", or the welds 1192" may be more densely spaced closer to the distal end of the long side 1177", or closer to the long side 1177" The proximal ends may be more densely spaced. In additional arrangements, the welds 1192" may be more densely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170".

33 shows another anvil cap 1170" that is configured to mechanically interlock with the anvil body 1132" and weldable to the upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a tongue-and-groove arrangement is used along each long edge 1177'" of anvil cap 1170'". Specifically, laterally extending continuous or intermittent tabs 1195"" project from each long side 1177"" of anvil cover 1170"". Each tab 1195" is connected to a tab 1195" formed in anvil body 1132"" Axial slot 1197'" corresponds. Anvil cap 1170'' slides through the opening in the distal end of anvil body 1132'' to "mechanically" attach the anvil cap to anvil body 1132'". Tab 1195'" and slot Slots 1197'" may be sized relative to each other to establish a sliding friction fit therebetween. Additionally, anvil cap 1170"" may be welded to anvil body 1132"". Anvil body 1132"" and anvil cap 1170'" may be made of metal that facilitates welding. The weld 1178"" may extend around the entire perimeter 1172"" of the anvil cap 1170"", or it may only be along the long edge 1177" of the anvil cap 1170"" position. Weld 1178'" may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or interrupted. In those embodiments in which weld 1178"" is discontinuous or intermittent, weld segments may be along anvil cover 1170"" The long edge 1177'" may be evenly spaced, or the weld segments may be more densely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177"" or more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177"" Spaced out. In additional arrangements, the weld segments may be more densely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177'" of the anvil cap 1170"".

The anvil embodiments described herein with anvil caps may provide several advantages. For example, one advantage could make the anvil and firing member assembly process easier. That is, when the anvil is attached to the elongated channel, the firing member can be installed through the opening in the anvil body. Another advantage is that the upper cover improves the anvil's stiffness and its resistance to the aforementioned bending forces that may be encountered when clamping tissue. By resisting such bending, the friction that the firing member 1660 normally encounters can be reduced. Accordingly, the amount of firing force required to drive the firing member from its starting position in the surgical staple cartridge to its ending position may also be reduced.

34-39 depict a shaped dimple arrangement 10200 configured to deform staples during a surgical stapling procedure. Formed dimple arrangement 10200 and various alternative formed dimple arrangements are further described in: METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OFSTAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT filed on December 21, 2016 U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,914. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914 is incorporated herein by reference. The shaped dimple arrangement 10200 includes a proximal shaped dimple 10210 and a distal shaped dimple 10230 defined in a planar or tissue engaging surface 10207 of the anvil 10201 . The dimples 10210, 10230 are aligned along the longitudinal dimple axis 10203 of the shaped dimple arrangement 10200. When deployed from the staple cartridge, the staples are intended to be formed along the dimple axis 10203 by the shaped dimple arrangement 10200 . Referring to Figures 35 and 36, the shaped dimple arrangement 10200 also includes a bridge portion 10205 defined between the shaped dimples 10210, 10230. In this case, the bridge portion 10205 is recessed relative to the flat surface 10207 of the anvil 10201 . The bridge portion 10205 includes a bridge width "W" and a bridge depth "D". Bridge depth "D" is the distance the bridge portion 10205 is recessed relative to the flat surface 10207. The shaped dimple arrangement 10200 includes a center "C" defined within a bridge portion 10205. The shaped dimple arrangement 10200 is bilaterally symmetrical about the bridge portion 10205, bilaterally symmetrical about the dimple axis 10203, and rotationally symmetrical about center "C".

The formed dimple device 10200 also includes a pair of major sidewalls 10208 extending from the flat surface 10207 of the anvil 10201 toward the dimples 10210, 10230 and the bridge portion 10205. The major sidewall 10208 is at an angle θ ₂ relative to the flat surface 10207 of the anvil 10201 (Fig. 37). The shaped dimple arrangement 10200 also includes edge features 10215, 10235 between the outer edges of the dimples 10210, 10230 and the flat surface 10207, between the longitudinal edges of the dimples 10210, 10230 and the major sidewall 10208 and the dimples 10210 A transition feature is provided between the inner edge of , 10230 and bridge 10205 . These edges 10215, 10235 may be, for example, rounded and/or chamfered. Edge features 10215, 10235 may help prevent nail tips from sticking.

The shaped dimple 10210 includes a pair of dimple sidewalls 10213, and the shaped dimple 10230 includes a pair of dimple sidewalls 10233. The dimple side walls 10213, 10233 are configured to direct the nail tips and/or tack legs toward the shaped surface of the dimples 10210, 10230 upon initial impact with the side walls 10213, 10233 of the dimples 10210, 10230. . Side walls 10213, 10233 extend from the transition edge 10215, 10235 towards the shaped surface of each dimple 10210, 10230. The side walls 10213, 10233 of the shaped pockets 10210, 10230 are angled θ ₁ (Fig. 38) relative to the flat surface 10207 of the anvil 10201 to guide or direct the nail legs and/or nail tips towards the shaped surface of the pockets 10210, 10230 . When forming tacks against the forming surface of dimples 10210, 10230, sidewalls 10213, 10233 are configured to facilitate formation of tack tips and/or tack legs along the dimple axis 10203. Generally, the main sidewall 10208 and the pocket sidewalls 10213, 10233 may provide a funnel-like configuration for guiding the nail tip. Referring to Figures 37 and 38, angle θ ₁ is greater than angle θ ₂ .

The dimples 10210, 10230 also include transition edges 10214, 10234 that provide transition features between the dimple sidewalls 10213, 10233 and the forming surface, as discussed in greater detail below. In various cases, transition edges 10214, 10234 may include similar profiles as transition edges 10215, 10235. In other cases, transition edges 10214, 10234 may include a different profile than transition edges 10215, 10235. That is, edges 10214, 10234 may be rounded or chamfered, for example. The edges 10214, 10234 include a first end where the edge 10214, 10234 intersects the outer end of the dimple 10210, 10230 and a second end where the edge 10214, 10234 is proximate the bridge portion 10205 or the inner end of the dimple 10210, 10230. Edges 10214, 10234 may transition to transition edges 10215, 10235 near bridge portion 10205. Edge features 10214, 10234 may also help prevent nail tips from sticking in the dimples 10210, 10230 during the forming process.

Referring again to Figure 35, the shaping surfaces of the dimples 10210, 10230 include inlet region shaping surfaces 10211, 10231 and exit region shaping surfaces 10212, 10232 respectively. In this case, the amount of surface area of the forming surface covered by the inlet region forming surfaces 10211, 10231 is greater than the amount of surface area of the forming surface covered by the exit region forming surfaces 10212, 10232. Therefore, the entrance region forming surface 10211, 10231 does not transition to the exit region forming surface 10212, 10232 at the center of each dimple 10210, 10230. Rather, the transition point of the entry regions 10211, 10231 to the exit regions 10212, 10232 is closer to the bridge portion 10205. The transition between the entrance region shaping surface 10211, 10231 and the exit region shaping surface 10212, 10232 defines a valley or trough for each dimple 10210, 10230. The valleys of the shaped dimples 10210, 10230 define the portion or segment of the shaped surface that has the greatest vertical distance from the flat surface 10207.

Referring to Figure 36, the shaped surface of each dimple 10210, 10230 includes more than one radius of curvature. Specifically, the dimple 10210 includes an entrance radius of curvature 10217 corresponding to the entrance area shaping surface 10211 and an exit radius of curvature 10218 corresponding to the exit area shaping surface 10212. Similarly, dimple 10230 includes an entrance radius of curvature 10237 corresponding to entrance zone shaping surface 10231 and an exit radius of curvature 10238 corresponding to exit zone shaping surface 10232. In this case, the entrance curvature radii 10217, 10237 are larger than the exit curvature radii 10218, 10238 respectively. The specific relationship between the radius of curvature and various dimple features and some of the potential advantages and patterns of the specific relationship are further described in US Patent Application No. 15/385,914.

In addition to defining the transition point from the entrance area to the exit area, the valleys of the shaped dimples 10210, 10230 also define the narrowest portion of the shaped surface of each dimple 10210, 10230. The outer edge of each dimple 10210, 10230 includes the entrance width and is also called the entrance edge because they define the beginning of the entrance zone shaping surface 10211, 10231. The inner edge of each dimple 10210, 10230 includes the exit width and is also referred to as the exit edge because they define the end of the exit zone shaping surface 10212, 10232. In this case, the entrance width is greater than the exit width. Additionally, the outlet width is greater than the width of the valley or the narrowest portion of the forming surface. Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10230 taken along line 38-38 in Figure 35. This view shows the trough or trough of the distal shaped dimple 10230. This valley or trough is also the transition between the inlet zone shaping surface 10231 and the outlet zone shaping surface 10232. 37 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10230 taken along line 37-37 in FIG. 35, which line is positioned within the exit region shaping surface 10232 of the shaped pocket 10230. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10230 taken along line 39-39 in FIG. 35, which line is within the entrance region shaping surface 10232 of the distal shaped pocket 10230.

The shaped dimple arrangement 10200 and various other shaped dimple arrangements disclosed herein are configured for use with staples having a variety of diameters. The diameter of the staples used with the formed dimple arrangement 10200 may vary, for example, between about 0.0079 inches and about 0.0094 inches. Additionally, for example, when the entrance radius is between about 8 times the nail diameter and 10 times the nail diameter, the ratio of the entrance radius of curvature to the exit radius of curvature of each forming surface is from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1. In at least one case, for example, when the entrance radius is 9 times the nail diameter, the ratio of the entrance radius of curvature to the exit radius of curvature of each forming surface is about 2:1. In other cases, for example, when the entrance radius is greater than about 0.6 times the nail crown length and the ridge width or bridge width is less than 1 time the nail diameter, the ratio of the entrance radius of curvature to the exit radius of curvature of each forming surface is about 1.5: 1 to about 3:1. In at least one case, when the entrance radius is greater than about 0.6 times the nail crown length and the ridge width or bridge width is less than 1 times the nail diameter, the ratio of the entrance radius of curvature to the exit radius of curvature of each forming surface is about 2: 1. For example, the exit radius of curvature is between about 4 times the diameter of the nail and about 6 times the diameter. In at least one case, the exit radius of curvature is approximately 4.5 times the nail diameter.

40-45 depict a shaped dimple arrangement 10500 configured to deform staples during a surgical stapling procedure. Formed dimple arrangement 10500 and various alternative formed dimple arrangements are further described in: METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OFSTAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT filed on December 21, 2016 U.S. patent application serial number 15/385,914. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914 is incorporated herein by reference. Shaped dimple arrangement 10500 includes proximal shaped dimples 10510 and distal shaped dimples 10530 defined in a planar or tissue contacting surface 10507 of anvil 10501 . The dimples 10510, 10530 are aligned along the longitudinal dimple axis 10503 of the shaped dimple arrangement 10500. When deployed from the staple cartridge, the staples are intended to be formed along the dimple axis 10503 by the shaped dimple arrangement 10500. Referring to Figures 41 and 42, the shaped dimple arrangement 10500 also includes a bridge portion 10505 defined between the shaped dimples 10510, 10530. In this case, the bridge portion 10505 is recessed relative to the flat surface 10507 of the anvil 10501 . Bridge portion 10505 includes a bridge width "W" and a bridge depth "D". Bridge portion 10505 is generally V-shaped with a rounded bottom portion. Bridge depth "D" is the distance by which the bottom portion of bridge portion 10505 is recessed relative to flat surface 10507. The shaped dimple arrangement 10500 includes a center "C" defined within a bridge portion 10505. The shaped dimple arrangement 10500 is bilaterally symmetrical about the bridge portion 10505, bilaterally symmetrical about the dimple axis 10503, and rotationally symmetrical about center "C".

The formed dimple device 10500 also includes a pair of major sidewalls 10508 extending from the flat surface 10507 of the anvil 10501 toward the dimples 10510, 10530 and bridge portion 10505. The major sidewall 10508 is at an angle θ ₁ relative to the flat surface 10507 of the anvil 10501 (Figure 43). The main sidewall 10508 includes an inner edge that is curved or shaped relative to the dimples 10510, 10530.

The shaped dimple 10510 includes a pair of dimple sidewalls 10513, and the shaped dimple 10530 includes a pair of dimple sidewalls 10533. The dimple sidewalls 10513, 10533 include curved or shaped profiles and are configured to direct the nail tips and legs toward the forming surface of the dimple 10510, 10530 and help control the nail forming process. Sidewalls 10513, 10533 extend from the main sidewall 10508 and flat surface 10507 toward the shaped surface of each dimple 10510, 10530. When forming tacks against the forming surface of dimples 10510, 10530, sidewalls 10513, 10533 are configured to facilitate formation of tack tips and/or tack legs along the dimple axis 10503. Generally, the main sidewall 10508 and the dimple sidewalls 10513, 10533 cooperate to funnel the corresponding nail tips toward the lateral center of each dimple 10510, 10530. As discussed in greater detail below, sidewalls 10513, 10533 include an inlet portion and an outlet portion, with the inlet portion including a less aggressive guiding configuration than the outlet portion.

Referring again to Figure 41, the shaped surfaces of dimples 10510, 10530 include inlet region shaping surfaces 10511, 10531 and exit region shaping surfaces 10512, 10532, respectively. The entrance zone shaping surfaces 10511, 10531 coincide with the less aggressive guide portions of the side walls 10513, 10533. Similarly, the exit zone shaping surfaces 10512, 10532 coincide with the more aggressive leading portions of the side walls 10513, 10533. The dimples 10510, 10530 also include shaped or guide grooves 10515, 10535, also known as tip control channels, extending the entire longitudinal length of each dimple 10510, 10530 and relative to the dimples 10510, 10530 The outside edge is centered. The grooves 10515, 10535 are narrower at the outer longitudinal edges of the dimples 10510, 10530 than at the inner longitudinal edges of the dimples 10510, 10530. Grooves 10515, 10535 intersect at bridge portion 10505 to encourage the nail tips and legs to contact each other during the forming process, as further discussed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914. In some cases, grooves defined in the forming surface of the forming dimple may have a similar effect in nailing a more aggressively angled exit wall and/or a narrow configuration of the exit wall.

Referring to Figure 42, the shaped surface of each dimple 10510, 10530 includes more than one radius of curvature. Specifically, the dimple 10510 includes an entrance radius of curvature 10517 corresponding to the entrance zone shaping surface 10511 and an exit radius of curvature 10518 corresponding to the exit zone shaping surface 10512. Similarly, dimple 10530 includes an entrance radius of curvature 10537 corresponding to entrance zone shaping surface 10531 and an exit radius of curvature 10538 corresponding to exit zone shaping surface 10532 . In this case, the entrance curvature radii 10517, 10537 are larger than the exit curvature radii 10518, 10538. The specific relationship between the radius of curvature and various dimple features and some of the potential advantages and patterns of the specific relationship are further described in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914.

Referring now to Figures 43-45, the outer longitudinal edges of each dimple 10510, 10530 are referred to as the entry edges because they define the beginning of the entry region forming surface 10511, 10531. The entrance edge includes the entrance width, which is the maximum width of the forming surface of each dimple 10510, 10530. The inner edges of each dimple 10510, 10530 are called exit edges because they define the end of the exit zone shaping surface 10512, 10532. The exit edge includes an exit width, also known as bridge width "W," which is the narrowest section of the forming surface of each dimple 10510, 10530. The transition between the inlet zone and the outlet zone includes a transition width that is less than the inlet width but greater than the outlet width. Figure 44 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10530 taken along line 44-44 in Figure 41. This view is taken at or near the trough or trough of the distal forming dimple 10530. This valley or trough is also the transition between the inlet zone shaping surface 10531 and the outlet zone shaping surface 10532. In each case, the transition between the entrance and exit zones does not occur in the valleys or troughs of the pit. 43 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10530 taken along line 43-43 in FIG. 41, which line is positioned within the exit region shaping surface 10532 of the shaped pocket 10530. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaped pocket 10530 taken along line 45-45 in FIG. 41, which line is within the entry region shaping surface 10532 of the distal shaped pocket 10530. The sidewalls 10533 are shown in this figure to be linear, or at least substantially linear, and at an angle θ ₂ relative to the flat surface 10507 (Fig. 45). Angle θ ₂ is greater than angle θ ₁ (Fig. 43).

Figures 46 and 47 depict pegs formed using a shaped dimple arrangement 10500, with one peg aligned with the dimple axis 10503 of the shaped dimple arrangement 10500 and the other peg not aligned with the dimple axis 10503 of the shaped dimple arrangement 10500. allow. Figure 46 depicts a side view 13100 and a bottom view 13100' of a staple 13101 in a fully formed configuration formed using a shaped dimple arrangement 10500. During the forming process, the pin 13101 is aligned with the dimple axis 10503 of the forming dimple arrangement 10500. The tip 13104 of the nail leg 13103 strikes the shaped dimple arrangement 10500 along the dimple axis 10503.

Nail 13101 includes a first tip alignment axis TA1, a second tip alignment axis TA2, and a coronal alignment axis CA. When aligned with the dimple axis 10503, the pegs 13101 are shaped such that the second tip alignment axis TA2 and the crown alignment axis CA are substantially aligned, or in other words, the pegs 13101 assume a substantially planar configuration. The force of the firing pin 13101 is shown in Figure 13110.

Figure 47 depicts a side view 13120 and a bottom view 13120' of a staple 13121 in a fully formed configuration formed using a formed dimple arrangement 10500. During the forming process, the pin 13121 is not aligned with the dimple axis 10503 of the forming dimple arrangement 10500. Nail 13121 is driven out of plane relative to dimple axis 10503. During forming, the tips 13124 of the staple legs 13123 do not strike the forming dimple arrangement 10500 along the dimple axis 10503 , nor do the crowns or bases 13122 of the pegs 13121 align with the dimple axis 10503 .

Nail 13121 includes a first tip alignment axis TA1, a second tip alignment axis TA2, and a coronal alignment axis CA. When not aligned with the dimple axis 10503, the pegs 13121 are shaped such that the second tip alignment axis TA2 and the crown alignment axis CA are substantially aligned with each other, or in other words, the pegs 13121 assume a substantially planar configuration. type. Compared to Figure 46, in which staples 13101 are aligned with dimple axis 10503, pegs 13121 are formed into a fully formed configuration, which may be more reliable to the surgeon than staples formed in a misaligned state using other formed dimple arrangements. Use of the staple in this fully formed configuration is accepted to more fully seal tissue.

48-54 depict a shaped dimple arrangement 6500 configured to deform staples during a surgical stapling procedure. Shaped dimple arrangement 6500 includes a proximal shaped cup or dimple 6510 and a distal shaped cup or dimple 6530 defined in a planar or tissue contacting surface 6507 of anvil 6501 . The tissue contacting surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 may be configured to compress tissue against the staple cartridge when the anvil 6501 is clamped or closed relative to the staple cartridge. Each cup 6510, 6530 is defined by a boundary surface as further described herein. The cups 6510, 6530 are aligned along the dimple axis 6503 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6500. When deployed from the staple cartridge, the staples are intended to be formed along the dimple axis 6503 by the shaped dimple arrangement 6500. For example, a first leg of the staple is formed by a proximal shaping cup 6510 and a second leg of the staple is formed by a distal shaping cup 6530. In such a case, when the anvil 6501 is clamped relative to the staple cartridge, the first leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the proximal shaping cup 6510 and the second leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the distal shaping cup 6530 alignment.

Referring to Figures 50 and 51, the forming dimple arrangement 6500 also includes a bridge portion 6505 defined between the forming cups 6510, 6530. In this case, the bridge portion 6505 is recessed relative to the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501. Bridge portion 6505 includes bridge width BW and bridge depth BD (Fig. 54). Bridge depth BD is the distance by which the bottom portion of bridge portion 6505 is recessed relative to flat surface 6507. Bridge width BW is the width of the dimple arrangement 6500 between cups 6510, 6530. In this case, the bridge width BW is the narrowest portion of the forming surface of each cup 6510, 6530. The shaped dimple arrangement 6500 includes a center C defined within a bridge portion 6505 (Figs. 48-50). The shaped dimple arrangement 6500 is bilaterally symmetrical about the bridge portion 6505 , bilaterally symmetrical about the dimple axis 6503 , and rotationally symmetrical about the center C.

The shaped dimple arrangement 6500 also includes a pair of major sidewalls 6508 extending from the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 toward the cups 6510, 6530 and bridge portion 6505. The major sidewall 6508 is at an angle θ ₁ relative to the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 (Figures 52-54). The cups 6510, 6530 define a perimeter 6520, and the inner edge of the major sidewall 6508 extends between the flat surface 6507 and the perimeter 6520 of the cups 6510, 6530. Referring primarily to Figure 50, the inner edge of the main side wall 6508 is curved or shaped relative to the cups 6510, 6530.

In some cases, shaped dimple arrangement 6500 may not include major sidewalls 6508. In such cases, the cups 6510, 6530 may extend directly to the flat surface 6507, and the perimeter 6520 of the cups 6510, 6530 may be defined in the flat surface 6507.

Referring again to FIGS. 50 and 51 , proximal shaped cup 6510 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6513 and distal shaped cup 6530 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6533 . The cup sidewalls 6513, 6533 include curved or shaped profiles and are configured to direct the nail tips and legs toward the forming surface of the cups 6510, 6530 and help control the nail forming process. Side walls 6513, 6533 extend from the main side wall 6508 and flat surface 6507 toward the shaped surface of each cup 6510, 6530. The side walls 6513, 6533 are configured to facilitate formation of the nail tips and/or legs along the dimple axis 6503 when the nails are formed against the forming surfaces of the cups 6510, 6530. Generally, the main sidewall 6508 and the cup sidewalls 6513, 6533 cooperate to funnel the corresponding nail tips toward the lateral center of each cup 6510, 6530. Curved or bottom surfaces 6514, 6534 extend between respective side walls 6513, 6533 along the lateral center of each respective cup 6510, 6530.

Still referring to Figure 50, the shaping surfaces of cups 6510, 6530 include inlet region shaping surfaces 6511, 6531 and outlet region shaping surfaces 6512, 6532, respectively. The entrance zone shaping surfaces 6511, 6531 may coincide with less aggressive guide portions of the side walls 6513, 6533. Similarly, exit zone shaping surfaces 6512, 6532 may coincide with more aggressive leading portions of side walls 6513, 6533.

Referring now primarily to Figure 51, the shaped surface of each cup 6510, 6530 is defined by a depth profile or profile. The proximal shaping cup 6510 includes a depth profile 6522 and the distal shaping cup 6530 includes a depth profile 6542. Depth profiles 6522, 6542 define the depth of cups 6510, 6530, respectively, along the cup length. Cups 6510, 6530 reach maximum cup depth CD within their respective transition zones 6509, 6529, as will be described further below. The cup depth CD of the dimples 6510, 6530 may, for example, be between 0.3 and 0.5 mm. For example, cup depth CD may be 0.4 mm. In other cases, the cup depth CD may be, for example, less than 0.3 mm or greater than 0.5 mm.

Depth profiles 6522, 6542 are curved profiles with no linear portions. Additionally, depth profiles 6522, 6542 may include one or more radii of curvature. Specifically, the depth profile 6522 of the proximal shaping cup 6510 includes an entrance radius of curvature 6517 corresponding to the entrance zone shaping surface 6511 and an exit radius of curvature 6518 corresponding to the exit zone shaping surface 6512. Similarly, depth profile 6542 of distal shaped cup 6530 includes an entrance radius of curvature 6537 corresponding to entrance region shaping surface 6531 and an exit radius of curvature 6538 corresponding to exit region shaping surface 6532. In this case, the entrance radius of curvature 6517, 6537 is larger than the exit radius of curvature 6518, 6538. The specific relationship between the radii of curvature of the entrance and exit zones and various dimple features, as well as some of the potential advantages and patterns of the specific relationship, are further described in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914.

The outer longitudinal edges of each cup 6510, 6530 are called inlet edges because they define the beginning of the inlet zone forming surface 6511, 6531. The entrance edge includes the entrance width, which is the maximum width of the forming surface of each cup 6510, 6530. The inner edge of each cup 6510, 6530 is called the outlet edge because they define the end of the outlet region forming surface 6512, 6532. The outlet edge includes an outlet width also known as the bridge width BW (Fig. 54), which is the narrowest section of the forming surface of each cup 6510, 6530. Transition zones 6509, 6529 are located between the entrance and exit zones of each cup. The transition width of transition regions 6509, 6529 is smaller than the entrance width but larger than the exit width. The transition regions 6509, 6529 include the curved portions of the respective depth profiles 6522, 6542, and thus include the deepest portion of each cup 6510, 6530. In each case, transition regions 6509, 6529 include a majority of the length of each cup 6510, 6530. More specifically, the length of the transition zones 6509, 6529 may be greater than the combined length of the respective inlet and outlet zones of each cup 6510, 6530. Transition zones 6509, 6529 may extend along the tapered or narrowed portion of each cup 6510, 6530. For example, each transition region 6509, 6529 may extend inwardly from the widest portion of the respective cup 6510, 6530 toward the bridge portion 6505.

Figure 53 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6530 taken along line 53-53 in Figure 50. This view is taken near the valley or trough of the distal shaping cup 6530. This valley or trough is also the transition between the inlet zone shaping surface 6531 and the outlet zone shaping surface 6532. In each case, the transition between the inlet and outlet areas does not occur at the valleys or troughs of the cup. 54 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6530 taken along line 54-54 in FIG. 50, which line is positioned within the outlet region shaping surface 6532 of the distal shaping cup 6530. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6530 taken along line 52-52 in FIG. 50, which line is within the inlet region shaping surface 6532 of the distal shaping cup 6530.

Referring primarily to Figures 52-54, a pair of cup side walls 6533 of the distal shaped cup 6530 includes a first side wall 6533a and a second side wall 6533b. The first side wall 6533a and the second side wall 6533b are opposing side walls extending toward each other from laterally opposing sides of the distal shaping cup 6530. The curved or bottom surface 6534 of the distal shaped cup 6530 is located between the first side wall 6533a and the second side wall 6533b. The bottom surface 6534 of the distal shaping cup 6530 is a fully curved, non-flat surface. In other words, bottom surface 6534 does not have a flat, flat surface. Bottom surface 6534 may define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along the dimple axis 6503, the bottom surface 6534 defines different radii of curvature. The tangent to bottom surface 6534 at the lateral center of cup 6530 is parallel to flat surface 6507 along its length.

In various cases, the curvature of bottom surface 6534 may be sized so that the staple legs do not follow a flat surface during the staple forming process. In such cases, the bottom surface 6543 may encourage the tacks to be formed into a flatter shaped configuration than tacks formed along a flat bottom surface, particularly if the tacks are misaligned with the dimple axis 6503 during forming. The curvature of bottom surface 6543 may be sized such that bottom surface 6543 provides multiple contact surfaces for the staple legs. For example, the radius of curvature of the bottom surface 6534 may be less than the radius of curvature of the spike legs.

Cup side walls 6513, 6533 are fully curved non-flat surfaces. In other words, the cup side walls 6513, 6533 do not have flat flat surfaces. Referring again to Figures 52-54, sidewalls 6533a, 6533b define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along the dimple axis 6503, the sidewalls 6533a, 6533b define different radii of curvature. The fully curved contours of cup sidewalls 6513, 6533 and bottom surface 6534 may define curvilinear boundary surfaces of cups 6510, 6530. Cups 6513, 6533 can be fully curved and have no flat flat surface.

The sidewalls 6533a, 6533b are oriented at an inlet angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6507 at various transverse cross-sections of the distal shaping cup 6530. More specifically, the tangent T to each sidewall 6533a, 6533b at the perimeter 6520 of the distal shaping cup 6530 is oriented at an angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6507 in Figures 52-54. The entrance angle θ ₂ is constant within the transition shaping region 6529 (Figures 50 and 51 ) and along most of the length of the distal shaping cup 6530. Although the tangents to these side walls are oriented at a constant angle along the length (or most of the length) of the cups 6510, 6530, the radius of curvature and arc length defining the side walls may vary as the cup depth and width vary along the cup length. . In each case, angle _θ2 may, for example, be between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. For example, in Figures 52 to 54, the angle _θ2 is 80 degrees. In other cases, angle _θ2 may be less than 55 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. Sidewalls 6533a, 6533b are non-vertical sidewalls, and therefore the angle _θ2 along tangent T to perimeter 6520 may be less than 90 degrees.

For purposes of illustration, reference points at the transition between sidewalls 6533a, 6533b and bottom surface 6534 are shown in Figures 52-54. For example, the curved boundary surface of distal shaping cup 6530 includes reference point A at the transition between sidewall 6533a and bottom surface 6534. At each longitudinal position along cup 6530, first sidewall 6533a and second sidewall 6533b define sidewall radius of curvature 6543, and bottom surface 6534 defines bottom radius of curvature 6544. Bottom radius of curvature 6544 may be different from sidewall radius of curvature 6543. The transition between the radii of curvature at reference point A includes a smooth, non-abrupt transition.

For illustration purposes, baseline B is also depicted in Figures 52-54. Reference line B extends between first reference point A and perimeter 6520 of distal shaping cup 6530. In Figures 52 to 54, the reference line B is oriented at an angle _θ3 . Angle θ ₃ may determine where the curved sidewall 6533a meets the curved bottom surface 6534. Additionally, the steepness of sidewall 6533a may be affected by angle _θ3 . For example, for a constant angle θ ₂ , an increase in angle θ ₃ can result in a deeper and narrower cup. In some cases, angle _θ3 may be limited by the desired minimum dimple width in the deepest portion of the cup. For example, a desired minimum dimple width may be required by the requirements of the machining process for the anvil 6501 and/or by the staple line width.

Angle θ ₃ is constant within transition shaped surface region 6529 ( FIG. 51 ) and along most of the length of distal shaped cup 6530 . In various cases, angle θ ₃ may be less than angle θ ₂ . The angle θ ₃ in FIGS. 52 to 54 is, for example, about 55 degrees. In other cases, for example, angle θ ₃ may be less than 55 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. Although angles _θ2 and _θ3 are constant along the length of distal shaped cup 6530, or at least along most of the length of distal shaped cup 6530, as the depth and width of cup 6530 vary along the length of the cup, defining sidewalls 6533a, The radius of curvature and arc length of the 6533b can vary.

The angle θ ₂ relative to the tissue contact surface may include a relatively steep angle. For example, angle θ ₂ may be greater than angles θ ₁ and θ ₃ . The steepness of angle θ ₂ may encourage the formation of pegs along the dimple axis. Additionally, the constant angle θ ₂ along the length of the distal shaped cup 6530 may encourage movement of the misaligned staple legs from the periphery toward the lateral center or axis 6503 of the cup 6530 . As described herein, the depth of the dimples may vary along their length. However, even in shallower regions of cup 6530, maintaining a constant angle _θ2 may encourage movement of the misaligned staple legs from the periphery toward the lateral center of distal shaping cup 6530.

In some cases, the maximum cup depth CD may vary between nail-forming dimples and/or arrangements in the anvil. For example, as described further herein, different depths may be utilized to form staples to different heights and/or to form staples driven by drivers having different heights. For example, the depth of the dimples may vary between rows of dimples and/or within one or more rows of dimples. Deeper dimples may provide increased control over nail formation; however, the depth of the dimples may be limited by anvil processing constraints and nail geometry. In cases where some dimples are shallower than others, the sidewalls of the shallower dimple may be oriented at the same entrance angle _θ as the deeper dimple to encourage pegs formed by the shallower dimple to follow the dimple axis is formed.

Figure 54A is a partial negative view of various slices of formed dimples of the formed dimple arrangement 6500. The dimensions of the individual slices are marked on them. Slices have only a single sidewall of the shaped dimple and are taken along the shaped dimple in a plane perpendicular to the tissue contact surface 6507 and the dimple axis 6503. Each slice includes width "x", height "y", upper radius of curvature "ra" and lower radius of curvature "rb". Width "x" is defined as the x component of the distance between the perimeter 6520 of the shaped dimple and the bottom radius of curvature 6544 of the shaped dimple. Height "y" is defined as the y component of the distance between the perimeter 6520 of the shaped dimple and the radius of curvature 6544 of the bottom of the shaped dimple. The upper radius of curvature "ra" is defined as the radius of curvature of the upper portion of the side wall. The lower radius of curvature "rb" is defined as the radius of curvature of the lower portion of the sidewall. Each size includes a number indicating which slice that size corresponds to. For example, slice 1 includes width "x ₁ ", height "y ₁ ", upper radius of curvature "ra ₁ ", and lower radius of curvature "rb ₁ ". Figure 54B is a table 6550 that includes dimensions for slices 1 through 12 of Figure 54A in at least one embodiment.

Figure 54C is a cross-sectional view of the shaped dimple arrangement 6500 taken along dimple axis 6503. 54C includes various sizes of the distal shaped dimples 6530 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6500. For example, the length of the formed dimple 6530 is 1.90 mm. For example, the depth of the formed dimple 6530 is 0.40 mm. In some cases, the distal shaped dimple 6530 includes three radii of curvature: for example, an entrance radius of curvature of 1.90 mm, a first exit radius of curvature of 1.00 mm, and a second exit radius of curvature of 0.10 mm. In this case, the width of the bridging portion of the distal shaped dimple 6530 is defined, such as when the center of the shaped dimple arrangement 6500 is aligned with the innermost edge of the first exit radius of curvature (the closest edge of the first exit curvature radius to the shaped dimple). The distance between the edges of the center of the pit layout 6500) is 0.10mm. For example, the bridge depth is 0.05mm.

Figures 55-60 illustrate another shaped dimple arrangement 6600 in an anvil 6501. The shaped pocket arrangement 6600 is configured to deform staples during a surgical suturing procedure and includes a proximal shaped cup or pocket 6610 and a distal shaped cup or pocket 6630 defined in a planar or tissue contacting surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 . The shaped dimple arrangement 6600 may be similar to the shaped dimple arrangement 6500 in many respects. For example, the sidewalls of staple forming cups 6610, 6630 may intersect plane 6507 at the same constant entrance angle _θ2 along their length. Although sidewall inlet angle _θ2 may be the same as for cups 6510 and 6530 (Figs. 48-54), as for cups 6610 and 6630, the maximum cup depth CD may be different, as further described herein. In such cases, the sidewalls of the shallower dimples may define the same entrance angle _θ2 as the sidewalls of the deeper dimples, which may facilitate proper planar shaping of pegs formed by dimples of different depths.

In other cases, the shaped dimple arrangement 6600 may be defined in different anvils. For example, anvil 6501 may not include a different arrangement of shaped dimples. Rather, an anvil (such as anvil 6501) may be composed of, for example, a uniform or identical arrangement of shaped dimples. In some cases, shaped dimple arrangement 6600 may be the only shaped dimple arrangement in a particular anvil.

Each cup 6610, 6630 is defined by a boundary surface as further described herein. The cups 6610, 6630 are aligned along the dimple axis 6603 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6600. When deployed from the staple cartridge, the staples are intended to be formed along the dimple axis 6603 by the shaped dimple arrangement 6600. For example, a first leg of the staple may be formed by a proximal shaping cup 6610 and a second leg of the staple may be formed by a distal shaping cup 6630. In such a case, when the anvil 6501 is clamped relative to the staple cartridge, the first leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the proximal shaping cup 6610 and the second leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the distal shaping cup 6630 alignment.

Referring to Figures 56 and 57, the forming dimple arrangement 6600 also includes a bridge portion 6605 defined between the forming cups 6610, 6630. The bridge portion 6605 is recessed relative to the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501; however, the bridge portion 6605 may be flush with the flat surface 6507. Bridge portion 6605 includes bridge width BW and bridge depth BD (Fig. 60). Bridge depth BD is the distance by which the bottom portion of bridge portion 6605 is recessed relative to flat surface 6507. Bridge width BW is the width of the dimple arrangement 6600 between cups 6610, 6630. In this case, the bridge width BW is the narrowest portion of the forming surface of each cup 6610, 6630. The shaped dimple arrangement 6600 includes a center C defined within a bridge portion 6605 (Figs. 55 and 56). The shaped dimple arrangement 6600 is bilaterally symmetrical about the bridge portion 6605 , bilaterally symmetrical about the dimple axis 6603 , and rotationally symmetrical about the center C.

The shaped dimple arrangement 6605 also includes a pair of major sidewalls 6608 extending from the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 toward the cups 6610, 6630 and bridge portion 6605. The major sidewall 6608 is at an angle θ ₁ relative to the flat surface 6507 of the anvil 6501 (Figures 58-60). The cups 6610, 6630 define a perimeter 6620, and the inner edge of the major sidewall 6608 extends between the flat surface 6507 and the perimeter 6620 of the cups 6610, 6630. Referring primarily to Figure 56, the inner edge of the main side wall 6608 is curved or shaped relative to the cups 6610, 6630.

In some cases, shaped dimple arrangement 6600 may not include major sidewalls 6608. In such cases, the cups 6610, 6630 may extend directly to the flat surface 6507, and the perimeter 6620 of the cups 6610, 6630 may be defined in the flat surface 6507.

Referring again to FIGS. 56 and 57 , proximal shaped cup 6610 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6613 and distal shaped cup 6630 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6633 . The cup sidewalls 6613, 6633 include curved or shaped profiles and are configured to direct the nail tips and legs toward the forming surface of the cups 6610, 6630 and help control the nail forming process. Side walls 6613, 6633 extend from the main side wall 6608 and flat surface 6507 toward the shaped surface of each cup 6610, 6630. The side walls 6613, 6633 are configured to facilitate formation of the nail tips and/or legs along the dimple axis 6603 when the nails are formed against the forming surfaces of the cups 6610, 6630. Generally, the main sidewall 6608 and the cup sidewalls 6613, 6633 cooperate to funnel the corresponding nail tips toward the lateral center of each cup 6610, 6630. Curved or bottom surfaces 6614, 6634 extend between respective side walls 6613, 6633 along the lateral center of each respective cup 6610, 6630.

Still referring to Figure 56, the shaping surfaces of cups 6610, 6630 include inlet region shaping surfaces 6611, 6631 and outlet region shaping surfaces 6612, 6632, respectively. The entrance zone shaping surfaces 6611, 6631 may coincide with less aggressive guide portions of the side walls 6613, 6633. Similarly, exit zone shaping surfaces 6612, 6632 may coincide with more aggressive leading portions of side walls 6613, 6633.

Referring now primarily to Figure 57, the shaped surface of each cup 6610, 6630 is defined by a depth profile or profile. The proximal shaping cup 6610 includes a depth profile 6622 and the distal shaping cup 6630 includes a depth profile 6642. Depth profiles 6622, 6642 define the depth of cups 6610, 6630, respectively, along the cup length. Cups 6610, 6630 reach maximum cup depth CD within their respective transition zones 6609, 6629, as will be described further below. The cup depth CD of the dimples 6610, 6630 may, for example, be between 0.2 and 0.4 mm. For example, cup depth CD may be 0.3 mm. In other cases, cup depth CD may be less than 0.2 mm or greater than 0.4 mm.

The cup depth CD of cups 6610 and 6630 is smaller than the cup depth CD of cups 6510 and 6530 (Fig. 51). For example, the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630 may be 0.2 mm smaller than the cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530. In some cases, the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630 may be 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm less than the cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530. The cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530 may be 25% to 50% greater than the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630. For example, the cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530 may be 40% greater than the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630. In various cases, the difference between the cup depths CD of the dimple-forming arrangements 6500 and 6600 may be selected to be equal to or substantially equal to the diameter of the pegs formed by the dimple-forming arrangements 6500, 6600.

Depth profiles 6622, 6642 are curved profiles with no linear portions. Additionally, depth profiles 6622, 6642 may include one or more radii of curvature. In this case, the depth profile 6622, 6642 includes more than one radius of curvature. Specifically, the depth profile 6622 of the proximal shaping cup 6610 includes an entrance radius of curvature 6617 corresponding to the entrance zone shaping surface 6611 and an exit radius of curvature 6618 corresponding to the exit zone shaping surface 6612. Similarly, depth profile 6642 of distal shaped cup 6630 includes an entrance radius of curvature 6637 corresponding to entrance region shaping surface 6631 and an exit radius of curvature 6638 corresponding to exit region shaping surface 6632. In this case, the entrance radius of curvature 6617, 6637 is larger than the exit radius of curvature 6618, 6638. The specific relationship between the radii of curvature of the inlet and outlet and various dimple features, as well as some of the potential advantages and patterns of the specific relationship, are further described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914.

The outer longitudinal edges of each cup 6610, 6630 are called inlet edges because they define the beginning of the inlet zone forming surface 6611, 6631. The entrance edge includes the entrance width, which is the maximum width of the forming surface of each cup 6610, 6630. The inner edge of each cup 6610, 6630 is called the outlet edge because they define the end of the outlet region forming surface 6612, 6632. The outlet edge includes an outlet width also known as the bridge width BW (Fig. 60), which is the narrowest section of the forming surface of each cup 6610, 6630. Transition zones 6609, 6629 are located between the entrance and exit zones of each cup. The transition width of transition regions 6609, 6629 is smaller than the entrance width but larger than the exit width. The transition regions 6609, 6629 include the curved portions of the respective depth profiles 6622, 6642, and thus include the deepest portion of each cup 6610, 6630. In each case, transition regions 6609, 6629 include a majority of the length of each cup 6610, 6630. More specifically, the length of the transition zones 6609, 6629 may be greater than the combined length of the respective inlet and outlet zones of each cup 6610, 6630. Transition zones 6609, 6629 may extend along the tapered or narrowed portion of each cup 6610, 6630. For example, each transition region 6609, 6629 may extend inwardly from the widest portion of the respective cup 6610, 6630 toward the bridge portion 6605.

Figure 59 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6630 taken along line 59-59 in Figure 56. This view is taken near the trough or trough of the distal shaping cup 6630. This valley or trough is also the transition between the inlet zone shaping surface 6631 and the outlet zone shaping surface 6632. In each case, the transition between the inlet and outlet areas does not occur at the valleys or troughs of the cup. 60 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6630 taken along line 60-60 in FIG. 56, which line is positioned within the exit region shaping surface 6632 of the shaping cup 6630. 58 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6630 taken along line 58-58 in FIG. 56, which line is positioned within the inlet region shaping surface 6632 of the distal shaping cup 6630.

Referring primarily to Figures 58-60, a pair of cup side walls 6633 of the distal shaped cup 6630 includes a first side wall 6633a and a second side wall 6633b. The first side wall 6633a and the second side wall 6633b are opposing side walls extending toward each other from laterally opposing sides of the distal shaping cup 6630. The curved or bottom surface 6634 of the distal shaped cup 6630 is located between the first side wall 6633a and the second side wall 6633b. The bottom surface 6634 of the distal shaping cup 6630 is a fully curved non-flat surface. In other words, bottom surface 6634 does not have a flat, flat surface. Bottom surface 6634 may define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along dimple axis 6603, bottom surface 6634 defines different radii of curvature. The tangent to bottom surface 6634 at the lateral center of cup 6630 is parallel to flat surface 6507 along its length.

In various cases, the curvature of bottom surface 6634 may be sized so that the staple legs do not follow a flat surface during the staple forming process. In such cases, the bottom surface 6643 may encourage the tacks to be formed into a flatter shaped configuration than tacks formed along a flat bottom surface, particularly if the tacks are misaligned with the dimple axis 6603 during forming. The curvature of bottom surface 6643 may be sized such that bottom surface 6643 provides multiple contact surfaces for the staple legs. For example, the radius of curvature of the bottom surface 6634 may be less than the radius of curvature of the spike legs.

Cup sidewalls 6613, 6633 are fully curved non-flat surfaces. In other words, the cup side walls 6613, 6633 do not have flat flat surfaces. Referring again to Figures 58-60, sidewalls 6633a, 6633b define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along the dimple axis 6603, the sidewalls 6633a, 6633b define different radii of curvature. The fully curved contours of cup sidewalls 6613, 6633 and bottom surface 6634 may define curvilinear boundary surfaces of cups 6610, 6630. Cups 6613, 6633 can be fully curved and have no flat flat surface.

The sidewalls 6633a, 6633b are oriented at an inlet angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6507 at various transverse cross-sections of the distal shaping cup 6630. More specifically, the tangent T to each sidewall 6633a, 6633b at the perimeter 6620 of the distal shaping cup 6630 is oriented at an angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6507 in Figures 58-60. Entry angle θ ₂ is constant within transition shaping surface region 6629 ( FIGS. 56 and 57 ) and along most of the length of distal shaping cup 6630. In each case, angle _θ2 may, for example, be between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. For example, in Figures 58 to 60, angle _θ2 is 80 degrees. In other cases, angle _θ2 may be less than 55 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. The sidewalls 6633a, 6633b are non-vertical sidewalls, and therefore the angle _θ2 along the tangent T of the perimeter 6620 may be less than 90 degrees.

For purposes of illustration, reference points at the transition between sidewalls 6633a, 6633b and bottom surface 6634 are shown in Figures 58-60. For example, the curved boundary surface of distal shaping cup 6630 includes reference point A at the transition between sidewall 6633a and bottom surface 6634. At each longitudinal position along cup 6630, first side wall 6633a and second side wall 6633b define side wall radius of curvature 6643, and bottom surface 6634 defines bottom radius of curvature 6644. Bottom radius of curvature 6644 may be different from sidewall radius of curvature 6643. The transition between the radii of curvature at reference point A includes a smooth, non-abrupt transition.

For illustration purposes, baseline B is also depicted in Figures 58-60. Reference line B extends between first reference point A and perimeter 6620 of distal shaping cup 6630. In Figures 58 to 60, the reference line B is oriented at an angle _θ3 . Angle θ ₃ is constant within transition shaped surface region 6629 ( FIG. 57 ) and along most of the length of distal shaped cup 6630 . In various cases, angle θ ₃ may be less than angle θ ₂ . The angle θ ₃ in FIGS. 58 to 60 is, for example, about 55 degrees. In other cases, angle θ ₃ may be less than 55 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. Although angles _θ2 and _θ3 are constant along the length of distal shaped cup 6630, or at least along most of the length of distal shaped cup 6630, as the depth and width of cup 6630 vary along the length of the cup, defining sidewalls 6633a, The radius of curvature and arc length of the 6633b can vary.

The angle θ ₂ relative to the tissue contact surface may include a relatively steep angle. For example, angle θ ₂ may be greater than angles θ ₁ and θ ₃ . The steepness of angle θ ₂ may encourage the formation of pegs along the dimple axis. The constant angle θ ₂ can encourage movement of the misaligned staple legs from the periphery toward the lateral center or axis 6603 of the distal shaping cup 6630 . As described herein, the depth of the dimples may vary along their length. However, even in shallower regions of cup 6630, maintaining a constant angle _θ2 can encourage movement of the misaligned staple legs from the periphery toward the lateral center of distal shaping cup 6630.

Dimple arrangements with different cup depths CD can be sized to have the same angles θ ₂ and θ ₃ . For example, although the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630 (Fig. 57) is less than the cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530 (Fig. 51), angles _θ2 and _θ3 may be the same. In at least one case, angle θ ₂ may be 80 degrees and angle θ ₃ may be 55 degrees for both shaped dimple arrangements 6500 and 6600 . Where tissue contacting surface 6507 includes a flat surface, dimple-shaping arrangement 6600 may be configured to form the staples to a reduced height compared to dimple-forming arrangement 6500 . For example, tacks formed by dimple-forming arrangement 6600 may be shorter than the same tacks formed by dimple-forming arrangement 6500 . In some cases, for example, it may be desirable to vary the height at which staples are formed to control tissue compression and/or fluid flow between the anvil and staple cartridge. Although variations in cup depth CD can be configured to control the formed height of the peg, maintaining a constant entry angle _θ2 along the length of the different cups, or at least most of the length, can be configured to ensure that even shorter formed pegs can be formed as A more consistent planar configuration, which is desirable in some cases.

Figures 68 and 69 depict staples 6701 formed using a shaped dimple arrangement 6600 (Figures 55-60), wherein the pegs 6701 are aligned with the dimple axis 6603 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6600 during the forming process. Figure 68 depicts a top view of staple 6701 in a fully formed configuration, and Figure 69 depicts a side view of staple 6701 in a fully formed configuration. The staple includes a base 6702 and staple legs 6703 extending from the base 6702. The base 6702 is aligned with the dimple axis 6603 and the tips 6704 of the staple legs 6703 impact the shaped dimple arrangement 6600 along the dimple axis 6603.

Nail 6701 includes a centerline CL (FIG. 69) that traverses base 6702 and extends vertically intermediate unformed Nail legs 6703. When staple 6701 is formed into the fully formed configuration, tip 6704 of staple leg 6703 bends toward centerline CL and toward base 6702. Staple legs 6703 are formed such that staple 6701 defines a height H when in the fully formed configuration (Fig. 69). If tack 6701 has been formed using shaped dimple arrangement 6500 (Figs. 48-54), height H may be less than the height of the tack because the cup depth CD of cups 6610, 6630 (Fig. 57) is less than the cup depth CD of cups 6510, 6530 (Figure 51).

To achieve a shorter height H, a portion of the staple leg 6703 may be laterally deflected relative to the centerline CL, and/or the tip 6704 of the staple leg 6702 may extend up to and/or below the base 6704. In contrast, if staple 6701 had been formed with a deeper cup depth CD using shaped dimple arrangement 6500, staple leg 6703 may not deflect laterally relative to centerline CL, and/or tip 6704 of staple leg 6702 may Does not overlap base 6704 (see, for example, staple 13100 (Fig. 46)). Referring to Figure 69, a portion of each staple leg 6703 intersects the centerline CL, and the tip 6704 of the staple leg 6702 extends past or beneath the tissue compression surface of the base 6702. Additionally, nail 6701 includes a first tip alignment axis TA1, a second tip alignment axis TA2, and a coronal alignment axis CA. When aligned with the dimple axis 6603, the pegs 6701 are formed such that the first tip alignment axis TA1 and the second tip alignment axis TA2 are laterally offset and equidistant (D) from the crown alignment axis CA. Distance D may be approximately equal to the diameter of staple 6701. As a result of the above, nail 6701 assumes a substantially flat configuration; however, tip 6704 slightly overlaps and is offset from base 6702 to achieve a shorter height H.

Figure 60A is a partial negative view of various slices of formed dimples of a formed dimple arrangement 6600. The dimensions of the individual slices are marked on them. Slices have only a single side wall of the shaped dimple and are taken along the shaped dimple in a plane perpendicular to the tissue contact surface 6507 and the dimple axis 6603. Each slice includes width "x", height "y", upper radius of curvature "ra" and lower radius of curvature "rb". Width "x" is defined as the x component of the distance between the perimeter 6620 of the shaped dimple and the bottom radius of curvature 6644 of the shaped dimple. Height "y" is defined as the y component of the distance between the perimeter 6620 of the shaped dimple and the bottom radius of curvature 6644 of the shaped dimple. The upper radius of curvature "ra" is defined as the radius of curvature of the upper portion of the side wall. The lower radius of curvature "rb" is defined as the radius of curvature of the lower portion of the sidewall. Each size includes a number indicating which slice that size corresponds to. For example, slice 1 includes width "x ₁ ", height "y ₁ ", upper radius of curvature "ra ₁ ", and lower radius of curvature "rb ₁ ". Figure 60B is a table 6650 including the dimensions of slice 1 through slice 12 of Figure 60A in at least one embodiment.

60C is a cross-sectional view of a shaped dimple arrangement 6600 taken along dimple axis 6603. Figure 60C includes various sizes of the distal shaped dimples 6630 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6600. For example, the length of the formed dimple 6630 is 1.90 mm. For example, the depth of the formed dimple 6630 is 0.30 mm. In some cases, the distal shaped dimple 6630 includes three radii of curvature: for example, an entrance radius of curvature of 2.90 mm, a first exit radius of curvature of 0.70 mm, and a second exit radius of curvature of 0.10 mm. In this case, the width of the bridging portion of the distal shaped dimple 6630 is defined, such as when the center of the shaped dimple arrangement 6600 is aligned with the innermost edge of the first exit radius of curvature (the closest edge of the first exit curvature radius to the shaped dimple). The distance between the edges of the center of the pit arrangement 6600) is 0.10mm. For example, the bridge depth is 0.05mm.

61-67 depict a shaped dimple arrangement 6800 configured to deform staples during a surgical stapling procedure. Shaped dimple arrangement 6800 includes a proximal shaped cup or dimple 6810 and a distal shaped cup or dimple 6830 defined in a planar or tissue contacting surface 6807 of anvil 6801 . The tissue contacting surface 6807 of the anvil 6801 is configured to compress tissue against the staple cartridge when the anvil 6801 is clamped or closed relative to the staple cartridge. The shaped dimple arrangement 6800 may be similar to the shaped dimple arrangement 6500 in many respects. For example, the side walls of staple forming cups 6810, 6830 intersect plane 6807 at a constant angle along their length. Each cup 6810, 6830 is defined by a boundary surface as further described herein. The cups 6810, 6830 are aligned along the dimple axis 6803 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6800. When deployed from the staple cartridge, the staples are intended to be formed along the dimple axis 6803 by the shaped dimple arrangement 6800. In at least one such case, the first leg of the staple may be formed by the proximal shaping cup 6810 and the second leg of the staple may be formed by the distal shaping cup 6830. In such a case, when the anvil 6801 is clamped relative to the staple cartridge, the first leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the proximal shaping cup 6810 and the second leg of the staple is aligned with a portion of the distal shaping cup 6830 alignment.

Referring to Figures 62 and 63, the forming dimple arrangement 6800 also includes a bridge portion 6805 defined between the forming cups 6810, 6830. The bridge portion 6805 is recessed relative to the flat surface 6807 of the anvil 6801. However, in other embodiments, the bridge portion 6805 may be flush with the flat surface 6807. Bridge portion 6805 includes bridge width BW and bridge depth BD (Fig. 67). Bridge depth BD is the distance by which the bottom portion of bridge portion 6805 is recessed relative to flat surface 6807. Bridge width BW is the width of the dimple arrangement 6800 between cups 6810, 6830. In this case, the bridge width BW is the narrowest portion of the forming surface of each cup 6810, 6830. The shaped dimple arrangement 6800 includes a center C defined within a bridge portion 6805 (Figs. 61 and 62). The shaped dimple arrangement 6800 is bilaterally symmetrical about the bridge portion 6805 , bilaterally symmetrical about the dimple axis 6803 , and rotationally symmetrical about the center C.

The shaped dimple arrangement 6800 also includes a pair of major sidewalls 6808 extending from the flat surface 6807 of the anvil 6801 toward the cups 6810, 6830 and bridge portion 6805. The major sidewall 6808 is at an angle θ ₁ relative to the flat surface 6807 of the anvil 6801 (Fig. 64). The cups 6810, 6830 define a perimeter 6820, and the inner edge of the major sidewall 6808 extends between the flat surface 6807 and the perimeter 6820 of the cups 6810, 6830. Referring primarily to Figure 62, the inner edge of the main side wall 6808 is curved or shaped relative to the cups 6810, 6830. In some cases, shaped dimple arrangement 6800 may not include major sidewalls 6808. In such cases, the cups 6810, 6830 may extend directly to the flat surface 6807, and the perimeter 6820 of the cups 6810, 6830 may be defined in the flat surface 6807.

Referring again to FIGS. 62 and 63 , proximal shaped cup 6810 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6813 and distal shaped cup 6830 includes a pair of cup sidewalls 6833 . The cup sidewalls 6813, 6833 include curved or shaped profiles and are configured to direct the nail tips and legs toward the forming surface of the cups 6810, 6830 and help control the nail forming process. Side walls 6813, 6833 extend from the main side wall 6808 and flat surface 6807 toward the shaped surface of each cup 6810, 6830. The side walls 6813, 6833 are configured to facilitate formation of the nail tips and/or legs along the dimple axis 6803 when the nails are formed against the forming surfaces of the cups 6810, 6830. Generally speaking, the main sidewall 6808 and the cup sidewalls 6813, 6833 cooperate to funnel the corresponding nail tips toward the lateral center of each cup 6810, 6830. Curved or bottom surfaces 6814, 6834 extend between respective side walls 6813, 6833 along the lateral center of each respective cup 6810, 6830.

Still referring to Figure 62, the shaping surfaces of cups 6810, 6830 include inlet region shaping surfaces 6811, 6831 and outlet region shaping surfaces 6812, 6832, respectively. The entrance zone shaping surfaces 6811, 6831 may coincide with less aggressive guide portions of the side walls 6813, 6833. Similarly, the exit zone shaping surfaces 6812, 6832 may coincide with the more aggressive leading portions of the side walls 6813, 6833.

Referring now primarily to Figure 63, the shaped surface of each cup 6810, 6830 is defined by a depth profile or profile. The proximal shaping cup 6810 includes a depth profile 6822 and the distal shaping cup 6830 includes a depth profile 6842. Depth profiles 6822, 6842 define the depth of cups 6810, 6830, respectively, along the cup length. Cups 6810, 6830 reach maximum cup depth CD within their respective transition zones 6809, 6829, as will be described further below. The cup depth CD of the dimples 6810, 6830 may, for example, be between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. For example, cup depth CD may be 0.5 mm. In other cases, cup depth CD may be less than 0.4 mm or greater than 0.6 mm.

Depth profiles 6822, 6842 are curved profiles with no linear portions. Additionally, depth profiles 6822, 6842 may include one or more radii of curvature. In this case, the depth profiles 6822, 6842 include more than one radius of curvature. Specifically, the depth profile 6822 of the proximal shaping cup 6810 includes an entry radius of curvature 6817 corresponding to the entry region shaping surface 6811 and an exit radius of curvature 6818 corresponding to the exit region shaping surface 6812. Similarly, depth profile 6842 of distal shaped cup 6830 includes an entrance radius of curvature 6837 corresponding to entrance region shaping surface 6831 and an exit radius of curvature 6838 corresponding to exit region shaping surface 6832. In this case, the entrance radius of curvature 6817, 6837 is larger than the exit radius of curvature 6818, 6838. The specific relationship between the radii of curvature of the inlet and outlet and various dimple features, as well as some of the potential advantages and patterns of the specific relationship, are further described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/385,914.

The outer longitudinal edges of each cup 6810, 6830 are called inlet edges because they define the beginning of the inlet zone forming surface 6811, 6831. The entrance edge includes the entrance width, which is the maximum width of the forming surface of each cup 6810, 6830. The inner edges of each cup 6810, 6830 are called outlet edges because they define the end of the outlet region forming surface 6812, 6832. The exit edge includes an exit width also known as the bridge width BW (Fig. 67), which is the narrowest section of the forming surface of each cup 6810, 6830. Transition zones 6809, 6829 are located between the entrance and exit zones of each cup. The transition width of transition regions 6809, 6829 is less than the entrance width but greater than the exit width. The transition regions 6809, 6829 include the curved portions of the respective depth profiles 6822, 6842, and thus include the deepest portion of each cup 6810, 6830. In each case, transition regions 6809, 6829 include a majority of the length of each cup 6810, 6830. More specifically, the length of the transition zones 6809, 6829 may be greater than the combined length of the respective inlet and outlet zones of each cup 6810, 6830. Transition zones 6809, 6829 may extend along the tapered or narrowed portion of each cup 6810, 6830. For example, each transition region 6809, 6829 may extend inwardly from the widest portion of the respective cup 6810, 6830 toward the bridge portion 6805.

Figure 66 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6830 taken along line 66-66 in Figure 62. This view is taken near the valley or trough of the distal shaping cup 6830. This valley or trough is also the transition between the inlet zone shaping surface 6831 and the outlet zone shaping surface 6832. In each case, the transition between the inlet and outlet areas does not occur at the valleys or troughs of the cup. 67 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6830 taken along line 67-67 in FIG. 62, which line is positioned within the exit region shaping surface 6832 of the shaping cup 6830. Figure 64 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6830 taken along line 64-64 in Figure 62, and Figure 65 is a cross-sectional view of the distal shaping cup 6830 taken along line 65-65 in Figure 62, both distally Inlet region of forming cup 6830 within forming surface 6832.

Referring primarily to Figures 64-67, a pair of cup side walls 6833 of the distal shaped cup 6830 includes a first side wall 6833a and a second side wall 6833b. The first side wall 6833a and the second side wall 6833b are opposing side walls extending toward each other from laterally opposing sides of the distal shaping cup 6830. The curved or bottom surface 6834 of the distal shaped cup 6830 is located between the first side wall 6833a and the second side wall 6833b. The bottom surface 6834 of the distal shaping cup 6830 is a fully curved non-flat surface. In other words, bottom surface 6834 does not have a flat, flat surface. Bottom surface 6834 may define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along the dimple axis 6803, the bottom surface 6834 defines different radii of curvature. The tangent to bottom surface 6834 at the lateral center of cup 6830 is parallel to flat surface 6807 along its length.

In various cases, the curvature of bottom surface 6834 may be sized so that the staple legs do not follow a flat surface during the staple forming process. In such cases, the bottom surface 6843 may encourage the staple to be formed into a flatter formed configuration than a staple formed with a flat bottom surface, particularly if the staple is misaligned with the dimple axis 6803 during forming. The curvature of bottom surface 6843 may be sized such that bottom surface 6843 provides multiple contact surfaces for the staple legs. For example, the radius of curvature of the bottom surface 6834 may be less than the radius of curvature of the spike legs.

Cup sidewalls 6813, 6833 are fully curved non-flat surfaces. In other words, the cup side walls 6813, 6833 do not have flat flat surfaces. Sidewalls 6833a, 6833b define one or more radii of curvature. For example, at various longitudinal positions along the dimple axis 6803, the sidewalls 6833a, 6833b define different radii of curvature. The fully curved contours of cup sidewalls 6813, 6833 and bottom surface 6834 may define curvilinear boundary surfaces of cups 6810, 6830. Cups 6813, 6833 can be fully curved and have no flat flat surface.

The sidewalls 6833a, 6833b are oriented at an inlet angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6807 at various transverse cross-sections of the distal shaping cup 6830. More specifically, the tangent T to each sidewall 6833a, 6833b at the perimeter 6820 of the distal shaping cup 6830 is oriented at an angle _θ2 relative to the tissue contacting surface 6807 in Figures 64-67. The entrance angle θ ₂ is constant within the transition shaping surface region 6829 (Figs. 62 and 64) and along most of the length of the distal shaping cup 6830. In each case, angle _θ2 may, for example, be between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. For example, in Figures 64 to 67, angle _θ2 is 80 degrees. In other cases, angle _θ2 may be less than 55 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. The sidewalls 6833a, 6833b are non-vertical sidewalls, and therefore the angle _θ2 along the tangent T of the perimeter 6820 may be less than 90 degrees.

For purposes of illustration, reference points at the transition between sidewalls 6833a, 6833b and bottom surface 6834 are shown in Figures 64-67. For example, the curved boundary surface of distal shaping cup 6830 includes reference point A at the transition between sidewall 6833a and bottom surface 6834. At each longitudinal position along cup 6530, first sidewall 6833a and second sidewall 6833b define sidewall radius of curvature 6843, and bottom surface 6834 defines bottom radius of curvature 6844. Bottom radius of curvature 6844 may be different than sidewall radius of curvature 6843. The transition between the radii of curvature at reference point A includes a smooth, non-abrupt transition.

For illustration purposes, baseline B is also depicted in Figures 64-67. Reference line B extends between first reference point A and perimeter 6820 of distal shaping cup 6830. In Figures 64 to 67, the reference line B is oriented at an angle _θ3 . Angle θ ₃ varies along the length of the distal shaping cup 6830 . In various cases, angle θ ₃ may be less than angle θ ₂ along the length of distal shaping cup 6830 . As sidewalls 6833a, 6833b extend inwardly toward center C, angle _θ3 may first increase and then decrease. For example, angle θ ₃ may increase from the inlet edge of cup 6830 toward transition region 6829 , remain constant within transition region 6829 , and decrease from transition portion 6829 toward the exit edge of cup 6830 . In the depicted embodiment, for example, angle θ ₃ is 45 degrees in Figure 64 , angle θ ₃ is 55 degrees in Figure 65 , angle θ ₃ is 70 degrees in Figure 66 , and angle θ ₃ is 70 degrees in Figure 67 Medium is 55 degrees. Although angles θ ₂ and θ ₃ are constant within the transition region 6829 of the distal shaped cup 6830 , as the depth and width of the distal shaped cup 6830 vary along its length, the radius of curvature of the arc defining the sidewalls 6833 a , 6833 b and length changes.

The angle θ ₂ relative to the tissue contact surface may include a relatively steep angle. For example, angle θ ₂ may be greater than variable angle θ ₃ . The steepness of angle θ ₂ may encourage the formation of pegs along the dimple axis. The constant angle θ ₂ may encourage movement of the misaligned nail legs from the periphery toward the lateral center of the cup. In each case, the angle _θ2 can be kept constant and steep in the exit zone, which can improve the nail forming quality. Additionally or alternatively, angle _θ2 may be constant in the transition zone. As described herein, the depth of the dimples may vary along their length. However, even in shallower regions of the cup, maintaining a constant angle _θ2 can encourage movement of the misaligned nail legs from the periphery toward the lateral center of the cup. Additionally, the maximum cup depth CD in some anvils may vary between dimples in the anvil. For example, as described further herein, different depths may be utilized to form staples to different heights and/or to form staples driven by drivers having different heights. In this case, a constant angle _θ2 can promote the formation of shallower groove-forming pegs along the groove axis.

In some cases, anvils for surgical end effectors may include staple-forming dimples of varying depths. For example, the depth of the staple-forming dimples may vary longitudinally between rows of forming dimples and/or along the length of the rows of forming dimples. Such depth differences may be selected to accommodate changes in the displacement of the staple driver within the staple cartridge during the staple firing stroke, changes in the overdrive distance of the firing staples, and/or changes in the position of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge. Additionally or alternatively, depth differences between staple-forming dimples may correspond to different tissue gaps between the anvil and/or the stepped tissue compression surfaces on the staple cartridge. For example, to form staples to the same forming height when the staples are driven by drivers with different lift lengths resulting in different amounts of staple overdrive, staple forming dimples can be selected that correspond to different stroke lengths and different amounts of staple overdrive. depth difference between. In other cases, different depths of staple-forming dimples in the anvil may be selected to shape the staples to different shaping heights, which may be desirable in some cases to alter compression of the tissue being sutured and/or to accommodate tissue Thickness changes.

Figure 67A is a partial negative view of various slices of formed dimples of the formed dimple arrangement 6800. The dimensions of the individual slices are marked on them. Slices have only a single side wall of the shaped dimple and are taken along the shaped dimple in a plane perpendicular to the tissue contact surface 6807 and the dimple axis 6803. Each slice includes width "x", height "y", upper radius of curvature "ra" and lower radius of curvature "rb". Width "x" is defined as the x component of the distance between the perimeter 6820 of the shaped dimple and the bottom radius of curvature 6844 of the shaped dimple. Height "y" is defined as the y component of the distance between the perimeter 6820 of the shaped dimple and the bottom radius of curvature 6844 of the shaped dimple. The upper radius of curvature "ra" is defined as the radius of curvature of the upper portion of the side wall. The lower radius of curvature "rb" is defined as the radius of curvature of the lower portion of the sidewall. Each size includes a number indicating which slice that size corresponds to. For example, slice 1 includes width "x ₁ ", height "y ₁ ", upper radius of curvature "ra ₁ ", and lower radius of curvature "rb ₁ ". Figure 67B is a table 6850 including the dimensions of Slice 1 through Slice 12 of Figure 67A in at least one embodiment.

Figure 67C is a cross-sectional view of a shaped dimple arrangement 6800 taken along dimple axis 6803. Figure 67C includes various sizes of the distal shaped dimples 6830 of the shaped dimple arrangement 6800. For example, the length of the formed dimple 6830 is 1.90 mm. For example, the depth of the formed dimple 6830 is 0.50mm. In some cases, the distal shaped dimple 6830 includes three radii of curvature: for example, an entrance radius of curvature of 1.40 mm, a first exit radius of curvature of 0.80 mm, and a second exit radius of curvature of 0.10 mm. In this case, the width of the bridging portion of the distal shaped dimple 6830 is defined, such as when the center of the shaped dimple arrangement 6800 is aligned with the innermost edge of the first exit radius of curvature (the closest edge of the first exit curvature radius to the shaped dimple). The distance between the edges of the center of the pit layout 6800) is 0.10mm. For example, the bridge depth is 0.15mm.

Referring now to FIG. 70 , a surgical end effector 7000 including an anvil 7001 and a staple cartridge 7060 having a plurality of staples 7080 is depicted. End effector 7000 is in a closed or clamped position. More specifically, anvil 7001 can pivot relative to staple cartridge 7060 to move end effector 7000 to a closed position and clamp tissue between anvil 7001 and staple cartridge 7060. In other cases, the anvil 7001 may be secured and the staple cartridge 7060 may pivot relative to the anvil 7001 to move the end effector 7000 to the closed position, and in yet other cases, the anvil 7001 and staple cartridge 7060 Each may be configured to pivot to move end effector 7000 toward a closed position.

In the closed position, a uniform tissue gap TG is defined between staple cartridge 7060 and anvil 7001. In other words, the tissue gap TG is constant laterally on the end effector 7000. Staple cartridge 7060 includes a flat or substantially flat tissue compression surface or platform 7062 , and anvil 7001 also includes a flat or substantially flat tissue compression surface 7007 . Neither the platform 7062 of the staple cartridge 7060 nor the tissue compression surface 7007 of the anvil 7001 includes a stepped surface with longitudinal steps between adjacent longitudinal portions. In other cases, as described herein, the platform of the staple cartridge and/or the tissue compression surface of the anvil may include a stepped profile.

Staple cartridge 7060 includes a cartridge body 7064 having a longitudinal slot 7065 and a plurality of staple cavities 7066 defined therein. Slot 7065 extends along the central longitudinal axis of staple cartridge 7060. Each staple cavity 7066 includes an opening in platform 7062. Staple cavities 7066 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows 7068 on each side of slot 7065, including a first or outer row 7068a, a second or middle row 7068b, and a third or inner row 7068c. In other cases, the staple cartridge 7060 may have fewer or more than six rows of staple cavities 7066. For example, a staple cartridge may have two rows of staple cavities on each side of longitudinal slot 7065.

Staples 7080 are removably stored in each staple cavity 7066, and each staple 7080 is supported by a staple driver 7070. In various situations, staple driver 7070 may support and fire more than one staple 7080. For example, the driver may be configured to simultaneously fire staples from adjacent rows of staple cavities in the staple cartridge. Platform 7062 includes a lumen extender 7061 projecting from platform 7062 toward tissue compression surface 7007 of anvil 7001. Cavity extender 7061 is positioned around at least a portion of staple cavity 7066 and can guide staples 7080 over platform 7062. The lumen extender 7061 may also be configured to engage or grip tissue and/or support the staple 7080 and/or the driver 7070 during firing. In other cases, for example, platform 7062 may be devoid of lumen extenders and may include a smooth tissue contacting surface.

Staples 7080 in Figure 70 are depicted in a formed configuration where staples 7080 fired from cavity 7066 across rows 7068a, 7068b, 7068c on both sides of slot 7065 have been shaped to the same height H. Forming the staples to a uniform height can tightly tie the tissue and reduce bleeding from the tissue.

Driver 7070 is movably positioned in cavity 7066. During the firing stroke, the firing member is configured to lift the driver 7070 toward the anvil 7001, which drives the nail 7080 supported on the driver 7070 into engagement with the anvil 7001. Each nail 7080 is driven into contact with a nail-forming dimple arrangement 7002, 7004 defined in the flat surface 7007 of the anvil 7001. The nail-forming dimple arrangements 7002, 7004 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows 7003 on both sides of the anvil 7001, including a first or outer row 7003a, a second or middle row 7003b, and a third or inner row. Row 7003c. Each row of staple cavities 7066 is aligned with a row 7003 of staple-forming dimple arrangements 7002, 7004. As described with respect to the various staple-forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein, staple-forming pocket arrangements 7002, 7004 may each include a pair of shaped pockets or cups (eg, a proximal cup and a distal cup), and each Each cup may be positioned to receive the nail legs when the nail 7080 is driven into contact with the anvil 7001.

Anvil 7001 includes two different nail-forming dimple arrangements. More specifically, anvil 7001 includes a first staple-forming dimple arrangement 7002 having a first geometry and a second staple-forming dimple arrangement 7004 having a second geometry. The first staple-forming dimple arrangement 7002 is aligned with the outermost row 7068a of staple cavities 7066 on both sides of slot 7065, and the second staple-forming dimple arrangement 7004 is aligned with the outermost rows 7068a of staple cavities 7066 on both sides of slot 7065. Align row 7068b and 7068c. The cups of the first tack-forming dimple arrangement 7002 define a cup depth CD ₁ relative to the anvil flat surface 7007 , and the cups of the second tack-forming dimple arrangement 7004 define a cup depth CD ₂ relative to the anvil flat surface 7007 . The cup depth CD ₁ of the outer nail-forming dimple arrangement 7002 is greater than the cup depth CD ₂ of the inner nail-forming dimple arrangement 7004 . Thus, the deeper staple-forming dimples of the first arrangement 7002 are laterally outward of the shallower staple-forming dimples of the second arrangement 7004, although any suitable arrangement may be used.

In various cases, the first tack-forming dimple arrangement 7002 may be the same as or similar to the tack-forming dimple arrangement 6800 (Figs. 61-67), and the second tack-forming dimple arrangement 7004 may be the same as the tack-forming dimple arrangement 6600. (Figure 55 to Figure 61) Same or similar. Although the cup depth is different between the first shaped dimple arrangement 7002 and the second shaped dimple structure 7004, the cup sidewalls may intersect the plane 7007 at the same angle, i.e. the tangent to the sidewalls may remain at a constant entrance angle , along the length of the cup in each arrangement 7002, 7004 or at least along a substantial portion of the length of the cup in each arrangement 7002, 7004. As described herein, steep constant angle sidewalls are configured to facilitate planar formation of staples 7080, including staples that are misaligned with the central axis of arrangements 7002, 7004.

In the fired position depicted in Figure 70, staples 7080 have been overdriven relative to staple cartridge body 7064. More specifically, the staple support surface of each driver 7070 has been driven past staple cartridge body 7064 such that staples 7080 are completely removed from cartridge body 7064 during firing. When overdriven, the rack or bottommost surface of each staple 7080 is positioned above platform 7062 and/or above lumen extender 7061 protruding from platform 7062. For example, the overdrive feature of driver 7070 may be configured to fully eject fired staples 7080 from staple cartridge 7060 and facilitate release of staple tissue from end effector 7000. In other words, the overdrive function of driver 7070 can push tissue away from platform 7067.

Different pegs may be overdriven by varying amounts under various circumstances. For example, staples 7080 fired from the outer row 7068a of staple cavity 7066 are overdriven a first distance D ₁ relative to the platform surface 7062 , and staples 7080 fired from the middle row 7068b and inner row 7068c of staple cavity 7066 relative to the platform surface 7062 is overdriven a second distance D ₂ . Distances D ₁ and D ₂ in Figure 70 are the distances between the brackets of staples 7080 and the platform surface 7062. In other cases, the overdrive distance may be measured between the support surface of the staple holder and the uppermost surface of the adjacent lumen extender 7061.

To achieve the different overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ in Figure 70 , the stroke length of the driver 7070 can be different. For example, the firing element may be configured to lift the driver 7070 supporting the staples 7080 in the outer row 7068a a first distance, and to lift the drivers 7070 supporting the staples 7080 in the inner rows 7068b, 7068c a second distance. In some cases, the geometry of the slide may be selected to control different stroke lengths of the driver 7070. Additionally or alternatively, the geometry of the driver 7070 (such as the height of the driver) may be selected to control different overdrive distances.

For each formed staple 7080 in Figure 70, the sum of tissue clearance and cup depth is equal to the sum of overdrive distance and staple height. For example:

TG+CD ₁ =D ₁ +H;

and

TG+CD ₂ =D ₂ +H.

In other words, for each formed nail, nail height H is equal to tissue gap TG plus cup depth CD minus overdrive distance D.

H＝TG+CD ₁ -D ₁ ;

and

H=TG+CD ₂ -D ₂ .

With staple height H and tissue gap TG constant laterally across the end effector 7000, as depicted in Figure 70, different cup depths correspond to different overdrive distances. For example, to ensure that the anvil 7001 is compatible with the staple cartridge 7060, the staple-forming dimple arrangements 7002, 7004 and their cup depths _CD1 , _CD2 may be selected to accommodate different overdrive distances _D1 , _D2 . For example, the difference between cup depth CD ₁ and cup depth CD ₂ can be constructed to accommodate the difference in overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ :

CD ₁ -CD ₂ =D ₁ -D ₂ .

More specifically, for example, if the difference between overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ is 0.38 mm, the difference between cup depths CD ₁ and CD ₂ may also be 0.38 mm. In some cases, for example, the difference in overdrive distance and cup depth can be between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. The corresponding differences between overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ and cup depths CD ₁ and CD ₂ are configured such that staples 7080 are formed laterally across end effector 7000 to the same formed height H. Regardless of cup depth, the sidewalls of the cup can be designed to intersect tissue compression surface 7007 of anvil 7001 at a constant angle to facilitate planarization of staples 7080 (including misaligned staples), as further described herein.

In some cases, surgical instruments and/or subassemblies thereof may be modular. Different types of staple cartridges may be compatible with more than one anvil, and/or different types of anvils may be compatible with more than one staple cartridge. For example, a staple cartridge 7060 (see, eg, Figure 70) that is compatible with an anvil 7001 having a flat tissue compression surface 7007 may also be compatible with a stepped anvil. An end effector including a staple cartridge 7060 and a compatible stepped anvil may define a laterally variable tissue gap TG; however, such an end effector may still be configured to form staples to a constant forming height. In such cases, different overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ may correspond to different heights of the stepped tissue compression surface of the anvil.

Referring now to Figure 71, an end effector 7100 having a staple cartridge 7060 and an anvil 7101 is depicted. End effector 7100 is in a closed or clamped position. In use, anvil 7101 can pivot relative to staple cartridge 7060 to move end effector 7100 to a closed position and clamp tissue between anvil 7101 and staple cartridge 7060. In other cases, the anvil 7101 can be fixed and the staple cartridge 7060 can pivot relative to the anvil 7101 to move the end effector 7100 to the closed position, and in yet other cases, the anvil 7101 and staple cartridge 7060 Each may be configured to pivot the end effector 7100 toward the closed position.

Anvil 7101 includes a stepped tissue compression surface 7107 having longitudinal steps between adjacent longitudinal portions. More specifically, anvil 7101 includes a plurality of longitudinal portions 7110 on each side of anvil 7101, including a first or outer portion 7110a and a second or inner portion 7110b. Step 7112 is positioned between outer portion 7100a and inner portion 7100b. Steps 7112 extend parallel to the rows of staple-forming dimple arrangements 7102 defined in surface 7107 and along an axis between adjacent rows of staple-forming dimple arrangements 7102 .

Step 7112 includes a height _Hstep that corresponds to the height difference between the first longitudinal portion 7110a and the second longitudinal portion 7110b of tissue compression surface 7107. Because the staple cartridge 7060 includes a non-stepped platform 7062, the height H _step corresponds to the change in tissue gap between the staple cartridge 7060 and the anvil 7101 when the end effector 7100 is in the closed position. A first tissue gap TG ₁ is defined between the first portion 7110 a and the staple cartridge 7060 , and a second tissue gap TG ₂ is defined between the second portion 7110 b and the staple cartridge 7060 . The tissue gap TG ₁ is larger than the tissue gap TG ₂ . It may be desirable to provide greater tissue compression near slot 7065 and/or along inner portion 7110b of anvil 7101 than along the sides of end effector 7100. In other cases, the anvil 7101 may include additional longitudinal portions with steps therebetween, and in such cases, additional distinct tissue gaps may be defined when the end effector 7100 is in the closed position.

Staples 7080 in Figure 71 are depicted in a formed configuration in which staples 7080 fired from rows 7068a, 7068b, 7068c of staple cavities 7066 on either side of slot 7065 have been formed to the same height H. During the nail firing stroke, the firing member is configured to lift the driver 7070 toward the anvil 7101, which drives the nail 7080 supported on the driver 7070 into engagement with the anvil 7101. More specifically, each staple 7080 is driven into contact with one of the staple-forming dimple arrangements 7102 defined in the tissue compression surface 7107 of the anvil 7101 . The nail-forming dimple arrangement 7102 is arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows 7103 on both sides of the anvil 7101, including a first or outer row 7103a, a second or middle row 7103b, and a third or inner row 7103c. . The first longitudinal portion 7110a includes a first row 7103a, and the second longitudinal portion 7110b includes a second row 7103b and a third row 7103c. Each row 7068 of staple cavities 7066 is aligned with a row 7103 of staple-forming dimple arrangements 7102 . As described with respect to the various staple-forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein, each staple-forming pocket arrangement 7102 includes a pair of shaped pockets or cups (eg, a proximal cup and a distal cup), and each cup Positioned to receive the nail legs when the nail 7080 is driven into contact with the anvil 7101.

Staple-forming dimple arrangement 7102 defines cup depth CD relative to tissue compression surface 7107. In each case, staple-forming dimple arrangement 7102 is the same as or similar to staple-forming dimple arrangement 6600 (Figures 55-60). In such cases, the cup sidewall may intersect the tissue compression surface 7107 at a constant angle, ie, the tangent to the sidewall may remain at a constant entry angle along the length of the cup, or at least along most of the length of the cup. The steep constant angle sidewalls along the length of the cup are configured to facilitate planar formation of staples 7080 , including staples that are misaligned with the central axis of staple forming arrangement 7102 .

For each formed staple 7080 in Figure 71, the sum of tissue clearance and cup depth is equal to the sum of overdrive distance and staple height. For example:

TG ₁ +CD=D ₁ +H;

and

TG ₂ +CD=D ₂ +H.

In other words, for each formed nail, nail height H is equal to tissue gap TG plus cup depth CD minus overdrive distance D.

H=TG ₁ +CD-D ₁ ;

and

H= _TG2 +CD- _D2 .

With staple height H and cup depth CD constant laterally on the end effector 7100, as depicted in Figure 71, the height of the tissue compression surface 7107 can vary, i.e., define a stepped profile that corresponds to different transitions. driving distance. For example, the difference between tissue gap TG ₁ and tissue gap TG ₂ can be constructed to accommodate the difference in overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ :

TG ₁ -TG ₂ =D ₁ -D ₂ .

In other words, the height H _step of the step 7112 between the longitudinal portions 7110a, 7110b may be equal to the difference in the overdrive distances _D1 and _D2 :

H _step =D ₁ -D ₂ .

For example, if the difference between the overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ is 0.38 mm, the height H _step of the step 7112 may also be, for example, 0.38 mm. In some cases, the difference in overdrive distance and tissue gaps can be between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. The corresponding differences between the overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ and the heights of the longitudinal portions 7110 a , 7110 b may be configured to laterally form the staples 7080 to the same formed height H across the end effector 7100 .

Above certain threshold loads, anvil 7101 may tend to bend along step 7112 such that the tissue gap along the sides of anvil 7101 is greater than the tissue gap TG ₁ depicted in FIG. 71 . Accordingly, anvil 7001 (Fig. 70) may be stiffer than anvil 7101 because anvil 7001 includes a flat or non-stepped tissue compression surface 7007. Anvil 7001 may be stiffer and therefore less susceptible to bending and/or deflection when subjected to high compressive loads during clamping and/or firing.

In various situations, it may be desirable to utilize an anvil, such as anvil 7001, with a flat or non-stepped tissue compression surface to minimize deflection of the anvil along its sides. In some cases, a variable tissue gap may also be desired to control tissue flow and/or the amount of tissue compressed and ultimately captured by the end effector. For example, a smaller outer tissue gap and a larger inner tissue gap may allow the end effector to capture a larger amount of tissue adjacent the cutting line, which may improve hemostasis. Smaller external tissue gaps improve control of tissue flow and ensure that the sides of the end effector effectively grasp and engage the target tissue. Additionally, larger internal tissue gaps may allow the end effector to capture larger (eg, thicker) tissue blocks.

An example variable tissue gap end effector 7200 is depicted in Figure 72. End effector 7200 includes an anvil 7001 (see also Figure 70) having a planar or non-stepped tissue compression surface 7007 and a staple cartridge 7260 having a stepped platform 7262. Although tissue clearance varies laterally on end effector 7200, end effector 7200 may be configured to form staples 7280 to a constant formed height. For example, as described further herein, different staple overdrive distances may correspond to different tissue gaps and/or different staple forming arrangements with different cup depths.

Still referring to Figure 72, end effector 7200 is in a closed or clamped position. In use, anvil 7001 can pivot relative to staple cartridge 7260 to move end effector 7200 to a closed position and clamp tissue between anvil 7001 and staple cartridge 7260. In other cases, the anvil 7001 can be fixed and the staple cartridge 7260 can pivot relative to the anvil 7001 to move the end effector 7200 to the closed position, and in yet other cases, the anvil 7001 and staple cartridge 7260 Each may be configured to pivot to move the end effector 7200 toward the closed position.

Staple cartridge 7260 includes a cartridge body 7264 having a longitudinal slot 7265 and a plurality of staple cavities 7266 defined therein. Staple 7280 is movably positioned in staple cavity 7266. Slot 7265 may extend along the central longitudinal axis of staple cartridge 7260. Each staple cavity 7266 includes an opening in platform 7262. Staple cavities 7266 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows 7268 on each side of slot 7265, including a first or outer row 7268a, a second or middle row 7268b, and a third or inner row 7268c. In other cases, the staple cartridge 7260 may have fewer or more than six rows of staple cavities 7266. For example, a staple cartridge may have two rows of staple cavities on each side of the longitudinal slot.

Each staple 7280 is supported by a staple driver 7270. In various situations, staple driver 7270 may support and fire more than one staple 7280. For example, the driver may be configured to fire staples from adjacent rows of staple cavities in the staple cartridge. Platform 7262 includes a lumen extender 7261 projecting from platform 7262 toward tissue compression surface 7007 of anvil 7001. Cavity extender 7261 is positioned around at least a portion of staple cavity 7266 and may guide the staple as it is ejected from staple cavity 7266. For example, lumen extender 7261 may also be configured to engage or grip tissue during firing and/or support staple 7280 and/or driver 7270. In other cases, for example, platform 7262 may lack a lumen extender and may include a smooth tissue contacting surface.

Staples 7280 in Figure 72 are depicted in a formed configuration where staples 7280 fired from cavity 7266 across rows 7268a, 7268b, 7268c on both sides of slot 7265 have been shaped to the same height H. In some cases, it may be advantageous to form staples across multiple rows to tightly tie the tissue and reduce bleeding from the tissue.

Driver 7270 is movably positioned in cavity 7266. During the firing stroke, the firing member is configured to lift driver 7270 toward anvil 7001, which drives staple 7280 supported on driver 7070 into engagement with anvil 7001. Each nail 7280 is driven into contact with the nail-forming dimple arrangements 7002, 7004. Each row 7268 of staple cavities 7266 is aligned with a row 7003 of staple-forming dimple arrangements 7002, 7004. The first staple-forming dimple arrangement 7002 is aligned with the outermost row 7268a of staple cavities 7266 on each side of slot 7265, and the second staple-forming dimple arrangement 7004 is aligned with the outermost rows 7268a of staple cavities 7266 on each side of slot 7265. The innermost rows 7268b and 7268c are aligned.

Staple cartridge 7260 includes a stepped platform 7262 having longitudinal steps between adjacent longitudinal portions. More specifically, staple cartridge 7260 includes a plurality of longitudinal portions 7263 on each side of slot 7260, including a first or outer portion 7263a and a second or inner portion 7263b. Step 7267 is positioned between outer portion 7263a and inner portion 7263b. Step 7267 extends parallel to rows 7268 of staple cavities 7266 defined in platform 7262 and along an axis positioned intermediate adjacent rows 7268 of staple cavities 7266 .

Step 7267 includes a height _Hstep that corresponds to the height difference between the first longitudinal portion 7263a and the second longitudinal portion 7263b of platform 7262. Additionally, because anvil 7001 includes a non-stepped tissue compression surface 7007, height H _step corresponds to the change in tissue gap between staple cartridge 7260 and anvil 7001 when end effector 7200 is in the closed position. A first tissue gap TG ₁ is defined between the first portion 7263a and the anvil 7001 , and a second tissue gap TG ₂ is defined between the second portion 7263b and the anvil 7001 . The tissue gap TG ₂ is larger than the tissue gap TG ₁ . As described further herein, in some circumstances it may be desirable to provide greater tissue compression near the sides of end effector 7200 than along the interior of the center of end effector 7200. In other cases, staple cartridge 7260 may include additional longitudinal portions with steps therebetween, and in such cases, additional distinct tissue gaps may be defined when end effector 7200 is in the closed position.

In the fired position depicted in Figure 72, staples 7280 have been overdriven relative to staple cartridge body 7264. More specifically, the staple support surface of each driver 7270 has been driven past staple cartridge body 7264 such that staples 7280 are completely removed from cartridge body 7264 during firing. The support or bottommost surface of each peg 7280 is located above platform 7262. The brackets of some pegs 7280 are also located above the lumen extension 7261 protruding from the platform 7262, and the brackets of other pegs 7280 are positioned below and/or flush with the lumen extension 7261. The overdrive feature of driver 7270 may be configured to completely disengage fired staples 7280 from staple cartridge 7260 and facilitate release of staple tissue from end effector 7200.

Different pegs may be overdriven by varying amounts under various circumstances. For example, staples 7280 fired from the outer row 7268a of the staple chamber 7266 are overdriven by a first distance D ₁ and staples 7280 fired from the middle row 7268b of the staple chamber 7266 are overdriven a second distance D ₂ relative to the cartridge body 7264 , and the nails 7280 fired from the inner row 7268c of the nail chamber 7266 are driven a third distance D ₃ relative to the cartridge body 7264 . Distances D ₁ , D ₂ , and D ₃ in FIG. 72 are the distances between the supports of staples 7280 and adjacent portions of platform surface 7262.

To achieve the different overdrive distances _Di , _D2 , and _D3 in Figure 72, the stroke length of the driver 7270 can be different. For example, the firing element may be configured to lift the actuator 7270 supporting the staples 7280 in the outer row 7268a a first distance, to lift the actuator 7070 supporting the staples 7280 in the middle row 7268b a second distance, and to lift the actuator 7270 supporting the staples 7280 in the inner row 7268c. Nail 7280's drive 7270 lifted the third distance. In some cases, the geometry of the firing element may be selected to control different stroke lengths of the driver 7270. Additionally or alternatively, the geometry of the driver 7270 (such as the height of the driver) may be selected to control different overdrive distances. The different overdrive distances D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ in Figure 72 can also be controlled by different heights of the stepped platform 7262.

As described herein with respect to end effector 7000 (FIG. 70), when tissue clearance is constant between staple rows, different cup depths can be configured to accommodate changes in overdrive distance such that the staples form the same shape high. For example, referring again to Figure 72, tissue gap TG ₁ is constant between the first row 6268a and the second row 6268b of staple cavities 6266, and in such cases, the different cup depths CD ₁ and CD ₂ are configured to accommodate the transition Changes in driving distances _D1 and _D2 . Additionally, as described with respect to end effector 7100 (FIG. 71), as tissue clearance changes between staple rows, the tissue gap difference may correspond to changes in overdrive distance such that the staples are formed to the same forming height. For example, referring again to Figure 72, the height H _step of step 7267 corresponds to the difference between overdrive distances _D2 and _D3 .

In various cases, staple cartridge 7260 may also be compatible with anvils having stepped tissue compression surfaces, such as anvil 7101 (Fig. 71). In such cases, different overdrive distances D ₁ , D ₂ , and D ₃ may correspond to different tissue gaps between the stepped tissue compression surface 7107 of the anvil and the stepped platform 7262 of the staple cartridge. In Figure 73, an end effector 7300 including a staple cartridge 7260 and an anvil 7101 is shown. As described further herein, end effector 7300 is configured to form staples across multiple rows to a constant forming height.

Due to the two stepped surfaces 7107 and 7262 in Figure 73, the end effector 7300 defines multiple tissue gaps between the anvil 7101 and the staple cartridge 7260. A first tissue gap TG ₁ is defined between the first portion 7263a of the platform 7262 and the first portion 7110a of the tissue compression surface 7107 and a second tissue gap is defined between the first portion 7263a of the platform 7262 and the second portion 7110b of the tissue compression surface 7107 TG ₂ , and a third tissue gap TG ₃ is defined between the second portion 7263b of the platform 7262 and the second portion 7110b of the tissue compression surface 7107 . The outer rows 7268a of staple cavities 7266 and the outer row 7103a of staple-forming dimples 7102 are aligned with the first tissue gap TG ₁ , and the middle row 7268b of staple cavities 7266 and the middle row 7103b of staple-forming dimples 7102 are aligned with the second tissue gap TG1. ₂ are aligned, and the inner row 7268c of the staple cavities 7266 and the inner row 7103c of the staple forming pockets 7102 are aligned with the third tissue gap TG ₃ . As described with respect to end effector 7100 (FIG. 71), as tissue clearance changes between staple rows, the tissue gap difference may correspond to changes in overdrive distance such that the staples are formed to the same forming height. For example, referring again to Figure 73, the height H _step of anvil step 7112 corresponds to the difference between overdrive distances D ₁ and D ₂ , and the height H _step of bin step 7267 corresponds to the difference between overdrive distances D ₂ and D ₃ difference.

As described herein, a surgical tool assembly may include a shaft portion and an articulable end effector portion. For example, the articulation assembly may be positioned between the shaft portion and the end effector portion, and the articulation assembly may articulate the end effector portion relative to the shaft portion at the articulation joint. Various articulation components may be further described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,245, filed February 9, 2016, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTIONARRANGEMENTS," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Incorporated herein.

An exemplary surgical tool assembly 8000 having an articulation joint 8200 is shown in Figures 74-77. Surgical tool assembly 8000 includes a shaft 8010 and an end effector 8100 . Shaft 8010 includes a closed tube assembly 8040. Closed tube assembly 8040 is similar in many respects to closed tube assembly 140 (eg, see Figure 2), which is further described herein. Shaft 8010 also includes an articulation drive system 8201 configured to articulate end effector 8100 relative to shaft 8010 . Articulation joint 8200 is located intermediate shaft 8010 and end effector 8100 such that articulation generated by articulation drive system 8201 causes end effector 8100 to articulate relative to shaft 8010 about articulation axis B-B (Figs. 75-77) sports.

Articulation drive system 8201 includes an articulation rod 8202 having a distal end 8204. Articulation drive system 8201 also includes an articulation link 8206 that includes a proximal end 8208 coupled to a distal end 8204 of articulation rod 8202 . Articulation rod 8202 extends longitudinally through shaft portion 8010 . In at least one case, articulation rod 8202 may be collinear with central longitudinal axis L (Figs. 75-77) of shaft portion 8010 extending through articulation axis B-B, although in other embodiments articulation rod 8202 may be from The longitudinal axis L is offset. The distal end 8204 of the articulation rod 8202 includes an extension 8205 that extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis L. For example, extension 8205 extends away from central longitudinal axis L. As described further herein, the lateral offset of extension 8205 relative to axis L is configured to obtain a desired angular orientation of articulation link 8206. Articulation rod 8202 is configured to move axially along central longitudinal axis L to effect articulation of end effector 8100 . More specifically, displacement of the articulation rod 8202 in the distal direction (DD) is configured to articulate the end effector 8100 clockwise, and displacement of the articulation rod 8202 in the proximal direction (PD) is configured to articulate the end effector 8100 clockwise. For example, the end effector 8100 is articulated counterclockwise.

The end effector 8100 is articulable between a first fully articulated configuration and a second fully articulated configuration. For example, a first full articulation configuration may correspond to a full range of clockwise rotation, and a second full articulation configuration may correspond to a full range of counterclockwise rotation. The non-articulating or linear configuration of end effector 8100 may be positioned intermediate the first fully articulated configuration and the second fully articulated position. In various cases, the non-articulating configuration may be equidistant between the first and second fully articulated configurations. In other cases, a greater degree of articulation in one direction of rotation may be allowed based on the geometry of the end effector 8100 and shaft 8010. The end effector 8100 may be articulated through a range of motion including, for example, at least 120 degrees. In other cases, the end effector 8100 may be configured to articulate through angles of less than 120 degrees. For example, the end effector 8100 may be configured to articulate approximately 90 degrees.

Articulation link 8206 is a cross-link that is similar in some respects to, for example, cross-link 1237 (FIG. 10). Articulation link 8206 is angled relative to central longitudinal axis L. More specifically, the articulation link 8206 transverses the central longitudinal axis L such that the proximal end 8208 of the articulation link 8206 is on a first side of the central longitudinal axis L and the distal end 8208 of the articulation link 8206 8210 is located on the second opposite side of the central longitudinal axis L. In various cases, the angular orientation of articulation link 8206 may be configured to improve the mechanical advantages of articulation drive system 8201. When articulation rod 8202 moves axially relative to central longitudinal axis L, articulation link 8206 also displaces relative to central longitudinal axis L. For example, referring to Figures 75-77, as the articulation joint 8200 moves from the non-articulating configuration (Figure 75) to the first articulating configuration (Figure 76) and the second articulating configuration (Figure 77), the joint Movement rod 8202 and articulation link 8206 are distally displaced. As further described herein, the first articulation configuration corresponds to a partial articulation configuration and the second articulation configuration corresponds to a fully articulation configuration of surgical tool assembly 8000.

In some cases, articulation drive system 8201 may not include articulation link 8206. For example, articulation rod 8202 may be pivotally coupled to end effector 8100. In some cases, the distal end portion of the articulation rod 8202 may be contoured and/or offset such that the distal end of the articulation rod 8202 is lateral from the proximal end and/or from the central longitudinal axis L offset.

Still referring to FIGS. 74-77 , the distal end 8210 of the articulation link 8206 is pivotally coupled to the end effector portion 8100 of the surgical tool assembly 8000 at a pivot joint 8211 . For example, the distal end 8210 is coupled to the proximal portion or extension 8103 of the elongated channel or retainer portion 8102 of the end effector at pivot axis A-A (Figs. 75-77) via a pivot joint 8211. Due to the orientation of articulation link 8206, pivot axis A-A is laterally offset from central longitudinal axis L and articulation axis B-B. The distal end 8210 of the articulation link 8206 is coupled to the proximal extension 8103 such that the pivot axis A-A extends through the proximal extension 8103 .

As articulation rod 8202 and articulation link 8206 move, such as being pushed in the distal direction (DD), elongated channel 8102 pivots in a clockwise direction at pivot axis A-A. Under various circumstances, the end effector 8100 may encounter resistance to its articulation, and the articulation link 8206 may be subjected to compressive loads as the articulation drive system 8201 attempts to overcome the resistance. In some cases, articulation rod 8202 and/or articulation link 8206 may be prone to bending, buckling, and/or buckling from a desired articulation position when exposed to loads above a threshold load. In other words, the articulation link 8206 may tend to bend laterally under increased compressive loads. To resist or resist bending and/or joint dislocation of compressed articulation rods 8202 and/or articulation links 8206 under high compressive loads, articulation system 8201 may include reinforcing or anti-bracing features.

Enhancement feature structure 8220 is shown in Figures 74-77. Enhancement features 8220 include a support bracket 8106 on the end effector 8100 that is operatively configured to engage a recess or notch 8226 in the articulation link 8206 in some cases. During most of the articulation, the support frame 8106 is disengaged from the recess 8226 (see Figures 74-76); however, in the fully articulated configuration of Figure 77, the support frame 8106 is received within the recess or dimple 8226, And part of the support frame 8106 is in adjacent contact with the side wall of the recess 8226. The support frame 8106 includes a post protruding from the proximal end of the elongated channel 8102, and the recess 8226 defines a dimple that is aligned with the support frame 8106 such that when the end effector 8100 articulates to its fully articulated configuration, The support frame 8226 moves into the recess (Fig. 77). In such cases, the support bracket 8106 provides a stop surface that prevents further clockwise articulation of the end effector 8100 beyond the fully articulated configuration.

Additionally, in the fully articulated configuration of Figure 77, the support frame 8106 is configured to exert counter-bending and counter-supporting forces on the articulation link 8206. More specifically, more engagement between recess 8226 and support frame 8106 is configured to resist articulation when a force is applied to end effector 8100, such as an externally applied force that opposes articulation of articulation drive system 8201 Joint dislocation and/or bending of connector 8206. For example, recess 8226 may apply a resistive, anti-support force to support frame 8016 in response to joint dislocation forces applied to fully articulated end effector 8100 .

In various cases, the reinforcement features 8220 may include at least one pair of opposing flat surfaces or "flats" to transfer force between the support bracket 8106 and the recess 8226. For example, recess 8226 may define an inner surface having at least one flat or flat surface, and support bracket 8106 may define an outer surface having at least one flat or planar surface. The one or more flat surfaces may be complementary such that they are positioned in abutting contact when the end effector 8100 is in the fully articulated configuration. For example, recess 8226 may fit around portions of support bracket 8106 like a wrench fits on a bolt head. The abutting flat surface is configured to provide a force transfer surface for the reinforcement feature 8220 and counter-rotation of the support bracket 8106 within the recess 8226 . The support bracket 8106 and the recess 8226 have an asymmetric profile. However, in other cases, support bracket 8106 and recess 8226 may have symmetrical outer contours.

Referring primarily to Figure 77A, depicted is a detailed view of the enhancement feature structure 8220 of Figure 77. Recess 8226 includes an inner surface 8228 having a plurality of flat surfaces 8230a, 8230b, 8230c. Additionally, support frame 8106 includes an outer surface 8108 having a plurality of complementary planar surfaces 8110a, 8110b, 8210b. One or more flat surfaces 8230a, 8230b of the recess 8226 may abut one or more corresponding flat surfaces 8210a, 8210b of the support bracket 8226 to retain the support bracket 8106 in the recess 8226. Additionally, when the support frame 8106 is received within the recess 8226, the flat surface may be oriented to resist joint dislocation and/or exert counterbending forces on the articulation link 8206. In various cases, the inner surface 8228 of the recess 8226 and the outer surface 8108 of the support frame 8106 may also include shaped and/or rounded surfaces adjacent and/or intermediate the flat surfaces.

In various situations, articulation system 8201 may include a plurality of enhancement features 8220. For example, articulation system 8201 may include a recess similar to recess 8226 toward the proximal end 8208 of articulation link 8206. For example, such recesses may be configured to engage grounding features on end effector 8100 and/or provide a positive stop surface when end effector 8100 is fully articulated in a counterclockwise direction.

Example

Embodiment 1 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including staples having legs. The end effector also includes an anvil having a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the tissue compression surface. The plurality of dimples include a dimple having a cup configured to form a leg. The cup includes a bounding surface. The boundary surface includes a perimeter, a depth profile defining a depth of the cup along its length, a first curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile, and a second curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile. The first and second curved side walls intersect the perimeter at a constant angle along most of the length of the cup.

Embodiment 2 - The end effector of Embodiment 1, wherein the boundary surface does not have a flat surface.

Embodiment 3 - The end effector of Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the constant angle is between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

Embodiment 4 - The end effector of Embodiment 1, 2, or 3, wherein the boundary surface further includes a bottom surface intermediate the first curved side wall and the second curved side wall. The first curved sidewall includes a first radius of curvature at a first cross-sectional location. The bottom surface includes a second radius of curvature at the first cross-sectional location. The second radius of curvature is different from the first radius of curvature.

Embodiment 5 - The end effector of Embodiment 4, wherein the bottom surface has a variable radius of curvature along its length.

Embodiment 6 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including staples having legs. The end effector also includes an anvil having a planar surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the planar surface. The plurality of dimples include a dimple having a cup configured to form a leg. The cup includes a bounding surface. The bounding surface includes a perimeter, a depth profile along the length of the cup that defines the depth of the cup, and a plurality of curvatures across the perimeter and depth profile. Each curvature includes a first arc intersecting the perimeter and having a first radius of curvature, wherein the tangent to each first arc at the perimeter is oriented at an angle.

Embodiment 7 - The end effector of Embodiment 6, wherein each curvature includes a second arc having a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is different from the first radius of curvature.

Embodiment 8 - The end effector of embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the angle is between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

Embodiment 9 - The end effector of embodiment 6, 7 or 8, wherein the boundary surface includes a first sidewall extending from the periphery toward the depth contour, a second sidewall extending from the periphery toward the depth contour, and A curved surface extending intermediate the first side wall and the second side wall. This curved surface has no flat surface.

Embodiment 10 - The end effector of embodiment 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the depth of the cup varies along its length.

Embodiment 11 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including staples having legs. The end effector also includes an anvil having a planar surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the planar surface. The plurality of dimples include dimples having cups configured to form tack legs. The cup includes a bounding surface. The bounding surface includes a perimeter, a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along its length, and a plurality of longitudinally offset profile curvatures that intersect the perimeter and depth profiles. The profile curvature intersects the perimeter at a first angle.

Embodiment 12 - The end effector of embodiment 11, wherein the end effector is movable between an open position and a clamped position. When the end effector is in the clamping position, the legs are aligned with the cup.

Embodiment 13 - The end effector of embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of profile curvatures includes a first curvature and a second curvature. The periphery of the cup extends around the staple entrance area, the staple exit area, and a transition area intermediate the staple entry area and staple exit area. The first and second curvatures intersect the perimeter in the transition zone.

Embodiment 14 - The end effector of Embodiment 13, wherein the plurality of profile curvatures further includes a third curvature intersecting the perimeter at a second angle in the staple entry region. The second angle is different from the first angle.

Embodiment 15 - The end effector of Embodiment 13, wherein the plurality of profile curvatures further includes a third curvature intersecting the perimeter at a second angle in the staple exit region. The second angle is different from the first angle.

Embodiment 16 - The end effector of embodiment 13, wherein the boundary surface further includes a first side wall extending from the first side of the cup, a second side wall extending from the second side of the cup, and a bottom surface. The first side wall and the second side wall meet at the bottom surface. The first sidewall meets the flat surface at a first angle along the length of the transition zone.

Embodiment 17 - The end effector of embodiment 16, wherein the second side wall meets the planar surface at a first angle along the length of the transition region.

Embodiment 18 - The end effector of embodiment 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the first angle is between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

Embodiment 19 - The end effector of Embodiment 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the profile curvature has no linear portion.

Embodiment 20 - The end effector of embodiment 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19, wherein each profile curvature includes a parabolic curvature.

Embodiment 21 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including a staple having a first leg. The end effector also includes an anvil having a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the tissue compression surface. The plurality of dimples includes a dimple having a first cup configured to form a first leg. The first cup includes a first side, a second side, and a bottom intermediate the first side and the second side. The base defines a depth relative to the tissue compression surface, wherein the depth varies longitudinally along the length of the base. The first cup also includes a first sidewall extending from the first side to the bottom and a second sidewall extending from the second side to the bottom, wherein the first sidewall defines a first fully curved surface. The second sidewall defines a second fully curved surface.

Embodiment 22 - The end effector of Embodiment 21, wherein the first cup has no flat surface.

Embodiment 23 - The end effector of embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the dimple further includes a first beveled edge intermediate the tissue compression surface and the first side, and a first beveled edge intermediate the tissue compression surface and the second side. Second bevel edge.

Embodiment 24 - The end effector of embodiment 21, 22, or 23, wherein the well further includes a second cup. The tack also includes a second leg configured to form a second leg of the tack. The dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second cups, wherein the dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and equidistantly spaced from the first and second cups. .

Embodiment 25 - The end effector of embodiment 21, 22, 23, or 24, wherein the first cup further includes a plurality of boundary curves extending from the first side to the second side. Each boundary curve includes a bend positioned along the bottom. The boundary curve intersects the tissue compression surface at a constant angle along the first and second sides.

Embodiment 26 - The end effector of embodiment 25, wherein the boundary curve defines a parabolic curve.

Embodiment 27 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including a staple having a first leg. The end effector also includes an anvil having a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the tissue compression surface. The plurality of dimples includes a dimple having a first cup configured to form a first leg. The first cup includes a first side, a second side, and a bottom intermediate the first side and the second side. The base defines a depth relative to the tissue compression surface, wherein the depth varies longitudinally along the length of the base. The first cup also includes a plurality of parabolic boundary curves extending intermediate the first side and the second side.

Embodiment 28 - The end effector of Embodiment 27, wherein the first cup further includes an inlet region, an outlet region, a transition region intermediate the inlet region and the outlet region, and a side wall extending from the first side toward the bottom . The tangent to the side wall at the first side is oriented at a constant angle in the inlet zone, the outlet zone and the transition zone.

Embodiment 29 - The end effector of embodiment 27 or 28, wherein the first cup defines a fully curved boundary surface.

Embodiment 30 - The end effector of embodiment 27, 28 or 29, wherein the first cup includes a first side wall extending from a first side toward the bottom and a second side wall extending from a second side toward the bottom , where each parabolic boundary curve includes a vertex positioned along the base.

Embodiment 31 - The end effector of embodiment 30, wherein the first side wall defines a first fully curved boundary surface. The second sidewall defines a second fully curved boundary surface.

Embodiment 32 - The end effector of embodiment 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31, wherein the dimple further includes a first beveled edge intermediate the tissue compression surface and the first side, and the tissue compression surface and a second chamfered edge in the middle of the second side.

Embodiment 33 - The end effector of embodiment 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32, wherein the staple further includes a second leg. The dimple also includes a second cup configured to form a second leg. The dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second cups, wherein the dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and equidistantly spaced from the first and second cups. .

Embodiment 34 - An end effector including a staple cartridge including a staple having a first leg. The end effector also includes an anvil having a planar surface, wherein a plurality of dimples are defined in the planar surface. The plurality of dimples includes a dimple having a first cup configured to form a first leg. The first cup defines a fully curved boundary surface including a base, where the base defines a depth relative to the flat surface. This depth varies longitudinally along the length of the base.

Embodiment 35 - The end effector of embodiment 34, wherein the staple further includes a second leg. The dimple also includes a second cup configured to form a second leg. The dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second cups, and wherein the dimples are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and equidistantly spaced from the first and second cups. symmetry.

Embodiment 36 - The end effector of embodiment 34 or 35, wherein the first staple further includes a second leg. The dimple also includes a second cup configured to form a second leg. The second cup defines a second fully curved boundary surface including a second base. The second base defines a second depth relative to the flat surface. The second depth varies longitudinally along the length of the second base.

Embodiment 37 - The end effector of embodiment 34, 35, or 36, wherein the first cup further includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of parabolic boundaries extending intermediate the first side and the second side. curve.

Embodiment 38 - The end effector of embodiment 34, 35, 36, or 37, wherein the first cup further includes a first cup extending along the inlet region, the outlet region, and a transition region intermediate the inlet region and the outlet region. side. The first cup also includes a side wall extending from the first side toward the bottom, wherein a tangent to the side wall at the first side is oriented at a constant angle in the inlet zone, the outlet zone, and the transition zone.

Embodiment 39 - The end effector of embodiment 38, wherein the tangent to the side wall at the first side is oriented at an angle between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

Embodiment 40 - The end effector of embodiment 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, or 39, wherein the dimple further includes a first beveled edge extending along a first side of the dimple and a A second chamfered edge extends from the second side.

Embodiment 41 - A surgical end effector including an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position. The anvil includes a planar surface with a plurality of shaped dimples defined in the planar surface. The plurality of shaped dimples includes a first shaped dimple having a first depth and a second shaped dimple having a second depth, wherein the first depth is different from the second depth. The surgical end effector also includes a staple cartridge having a platform. The platform includes a first portion aligned with the first dimple, a second portion aligned with the second dimple, and a step intermediate the first portion and the second portion. The nail bin also includes multiple drives. The plurality of drivers include a first driver aligned with the first recess and capable of moving a first distance between a non-firing position and a firing position, and a second driver aligned with the second recess. and capable of moving a second distance between the non-firing position and the firing position. The second distance is different from the first distance. The nail bin also includes a plurality of nails. The plurality of staples includes a first staple supported by a first driver, wherein the first staple is formed to a first forming height intermediate the first driver and the first recess. The plurality of staples includes a second staple supported by a second driver, wherein the second staple is formed to a second forming height intermediate the second driver and the second dimple. The first forming height is equal to the second forming height.

Embodiment 42 - The surgical end effector of Embodiment 41, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance corresponds to the difference between the first depth and the second depth.

Embodiment 43 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 41 or 42, wherein the first staple includes a first unformed height, wherein the second staple includes a second unformed height, and wherein the second unformed height is equal to the first unformed height. An unformed height.

Embodiment 44 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 41 or 42, wherein the first staple includes a first unformed height, wherein the second staple includes a second unformed height, and wherein the second unformed height is the same as the first unformed height. One unformed height varies.

Embodiment 45 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 41, 42, 43, or 44, wherein the staple cartridge is replaceable.

Embodiment 46 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45, wherein a first tissue gap is defined between the first portion and the planar surface, and wherein a second tissue gap is defined between the second portion and a flat surface, and wherein the first tissue gap is smaller than the second tissue gap.

Embodiment 47 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 or 46, wherein the first portion is laterally outward of the second portion.

Embodiment 48 - A nail forming apparatus comprising a plurality of first nails, wherein each first nail is supported by a first drive surface. The staple forming apparatus also includes a plurality of second staples, wherein each second staple is supported by the second drive surface. The staple forming device also includes a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of forming dimples are defined in the tissue compression surface. The plurality of forming dimples includes longitudinal rows of first forming dimples each having a first depth, wherein each first forming dimple is configured to be capable of forming one of the first tacks to a first forming height. The first forming height within the range. The plurality of shaped dimples also includes longitudinal rows of second shaped dimples each having a second depth. The second depth is different from the first depth, wherein each second forming pocket is configured to enable one of the second staples to be formed to a second forming height within a second range of forming heights. The second range of forming heights is equal to the first range of forming heights.

Embodiment 49 - The nail forming apparatus of Embodiment 48, wherein the first depth is twice the second depth.

Embodiment 50 - The nail forming apparatus of embodiment 48 or 49, wherein the longitudinal row of first shaped dimples is laterally outward of the longitudinal row of second shaped dimples.

Embodiment 51 - The staple forming apparatus of embodiment 48, 49 or 50, further comprising a staple cartridge having a platform, wherein each first drive surface is configured to drive one of the first staples relative to the platform First overdrive distance. The first overdrive distance corresponds to the first depth, wherein each second drive surface is configured to drive one of the second staples a second overdrive distance relative to the platform. The second overdrive distance corresponds to the second depth.

Embodiment 52 - The nail forming apparatus of Embodiment 51, wherein the platform further includes a stepped surface.

Embodiment 53 - The staple forming apparatus of embodiment 48, 49, 50, 51 or 52, wherein each first drive surface is movable a first distance between an unfired position and a fired position. Each second drive surface is capable of movement a second distance between an unfired position and a fired position. The second distance is different from the first distance.

Embodiment 54 - The nail forming apparatus of Embodiment 53, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance corresponds to the difference between the first depth and the second depth.

Embodiment 55 - A surgical end effector including an anvil having a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of shaped dimples are defined in the tissue compression surface. The plurality of shaped dimples includes a first shaped dimple having a first depth and a second shaped dimple having a second depth, wherein the first depth is different from the second depth. The surgical end effector also includes a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of drivers having a first driver and a second driver. The nail bin also includes a plurality of nails. The plurality of tacks includes a first tack having a first unformed height and supported by a first driver, wherein the first tack is driven a first distance by the first driver to contact the first dimple form and form the first form high. The plurality of staples further includes a second staple having a second unformed height and supported by a second driver, wherein the second staple is driven a second distance by the second driver to form contact with the second dimple and is formed into a second Forming height. The second distance is different from the first distance. The second forming height is substantially the same as the first forming height. The difference between the first distance and the second distance corresponds to the difference between the first depth and the second depth.

Embodiment 56 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 55, wherein the tissue compression surface includes a flat surface. The planar surface includes a first portion, wherein a first shaped dimple is defined in the first portion. The planar surface also includes a second portion laterally outward of the first portion, wherein the second shaped dimple is defined in the second portion.

Embodiment 57 - The surgical end effector of Embodiment 56, wherein the surgical end effector is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein when the surgical end effector is in the closed configuration , a constant tissue gap is defined between the staple cartridge and the first and second portions of the flat surface.

Embodiment 58 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 56 or 57, wherein the surgical end effector is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the first tissue gap is defined between the staple cartridge and the first portion between, wherein a second tissue gap is defined between the staple cartridge and the second portion, and wherein the first tissue gap is different from the second tissue gap.

Embodiment 59 - The surgical end effector of Embodiment 55, 56, 57, or 58, further comprising a slider configured to displace the first driver a first lift during the staple firing stroke. length, and is configured to displace the second actuator a second lift length. The first lift length is different from the second lift length.

Embodiment 60 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 55, 56, 57, 58, or 59, wherein the staple cartridge further includes a platform. The first driver is configured to drive the first staple a first overdrive distance relative to the platform, wherein the first overdrive distance corresponds to a first depth. The second driver is configured to drive the second staple a second overdrive distance relative to the platform, wherein the second overdrive distance corresponds to the second depth.

Embodiment 61 - The surgical end effector of embodiment 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60, wherein the staples include a staple diameter, wherein the first depth is equal to the staple diameter, and wherein the second depth is equal to the staple diameter. double.

Embodiment 62 - A surgical tool assembly including an end effector including an elongated channel configured to receive a fastener cartridge. The elongated channel includes a support frame. The surgical tool assembly also includes a shaft having an articulation drive assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes an articulation link pivotally coupled to the elongated channel. The articulation link includes a dimple configured to receive the support bracket when the end effector is in a fully articulated configuration.

Embodiment 63 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 62, wherein the support frame includes an outer surface having a plurality of first planar surfaces. The dimple includes an interior surface having a plurality of second planar surfaces. The second flat surface is complementary to the first flat surface.

Embodiment 64 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 62 or 63, wherein the shaft extends along a longitudinal axis. An articulation link is pivotally coupled to the elongated channel at a pivot axis that is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 65 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 62, 63, or 64, wherein the articulation drive assembly further includes an articulation rod coupled to the articulation link. Distal displacement of the articulation rod is configured to enable pivoting of the end effector toward a fully articulated configuration.

Embodiment 66 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 65, wherein the articulation drive assembly further includes an articulation lock configured to selectively prevent axial displacement of the articulation rod.

Embodiment 67 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 62, 63, 64, 65, or 66, further comprising a fastener cartridge.

Embodiment 68 - A surgical tool assembly including a shaft and an end effector including a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes a support frame. The surgical tool assembly also includes an articulation assembly configured to enable articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft between the first articulation configuration and the second articulation configuration. The articulation assembly includes an articulation driver having a recess. The recess is configured to receive the support frame when the end effector is in the first articulation configuration.

Embodiment 69 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 68, wherein the end effector includes an elongated channel configured to receive a staple cartridge. The elongated channel includes a support frame.

Embodiment 70 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 69, further comprising a staple cartridge.

Embodiment 71 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 69 or 70, wherein the support frame includes a post protruding from the elongated channel.

Embodiment 72 - The surgical tool assembly of Embodiment 71, wherein the post includes an outer surface having a plurality of planar surfaces.

Embodiment 73 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 72, wherein the recess includes an inner surface having a plurality of second planar surfaces. The plurality of second flat surfaces are complementary to the flat surfaces of the posts.

Embodiment 74 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 69, 70, 71, 72, or 73, wherein the articulation driver includes an articulation link. The articulation link includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is coupled to the articulation rod. The distal end is pivotally coupled to the elongated channel.

Embodiment 75 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 74, wherein the shaft extends along a longitudinal axis. The distal end of the articulation link is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 76 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, or 75, further comprising a second support frame. The articulation driver includes a second recess configured to receive the second support frame when the end effector is in the second articulation configuration.

Embodiment 77 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, or 76, wherein the second articulation configuration is offset from the first articulation configuration by at least 120 degrees .

Example 78 - A surgical tool assembly including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector includes an elongated channel configured to receive a fastener cartridge. The surgical tool assembly also includes an articulation assembly intermediate the shaft and the end effector. The articulation assembly is configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. The articulation assembly includes an articulation link pivotally coupled to the elongated channel. The surgical tool assembly also includes means for resisting buckling of the articulation link when the articulation link is compressed.

Embodiment 79 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 78, further comprising a fastener cartridge.

Embodiment 80 - A surgical tool assembly including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector includes an elongated channel configured to receive a fastener cartridge. The surgical tool assembly also includes an articulation assembly configured to enable articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft. The articulation assembly includes an articulation driver pivotally coupled to the end effector. The surgical tool assembly also includes means for supporting the articulation driver when the end effector is in a fully articulated configuration.

Embodiment 81 - The surgical tool assembly of embodiment 80, further comprising a fastener cartridge.

Embodiment 82 - A surgical tool assembly including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector includes a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical tool assembly also includes an articulation joint rotatably connecting the proximal end of the end effector to the shaft. The surgical tool assembly also includes an articulation assembly configured to enable articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft between the first articulation configuration and the second articulation configuration. The articulation assembly includes a longitudinal articulation actuator capable of proximal and distal movement. The articulation assembly also includes a link connecting the longitudinal articulation driver to the end effector. The articulation assembly also includes a feature structure that does not interfere with the proximal and distal movements of the articulation driver to enable articulation of the end effector but resists reverse rotation of the end effector to prevent reverse driving of the articulation driver.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are actuated by electric motors; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein may be actuated in any suitable manner. In various examples, for example, the surgical instrument systems described herein may be actuated by a manually operated trigger. In some examples, the motors disclosed herein may comprise part or parts of a robotic control system. Additionally, any end effector and/or tool assembly disclosed herein may be used with robotic surgical instrument systems. For example, US Patent Application Serial No. 13/118,241 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS" (now US Patent 9,072,535) discloses several examples of robotic surgical instrument systems in greater detail.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in conjunction with deployment and deformation of staples; however, embodiments described herein are not so limited. For example, various embodiments are contemplated that deploy fasteners other than nails, such as clamps or tacks. Additionally, various embodiments utilizing any suitable device for sealing tissue are also contemplated. For example, end effectors according to various embodiments may include electrodes configured to heat and seal tissue. Additionally, for example, end effectors according to certain embodiments may apply vibrational energy to seal tissue.

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

- U.S. Patent 5,403,312 titled "ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE" published on April 4, 1995;

-US Patent 7,000,818 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" published on February 21, 2006;

-US Patent 7,422,139 titled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK" published on September 9, 2008;

-US Patent 7,464,849 titled "ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS" published on December 16, 2008;

-US Patent 7,670,334 titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR" published on March 2, 2010;

-US Patent 7,753,245 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" published on July 13, 2010;

-US Patent 8,393,514 entitled "SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE" published on March 12, 2013;

- U.S. patent application serial number 11/343,803 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES"; now U.S. Patent 7,845,537;

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/031,573 titled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES" filed on February 14, 2008;

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/031,873 titled "END EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING ANDSTAPLING INSTRUMENT" filed on February 15, 2008 (now U.S. Patent 7,980,443);

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/235,782 entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent 8,210,411;

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/249,117 entitled "POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM", now U.S. Patent 8,608,045;

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/647,100 titled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY" filed on December 24, 2009; now U.S. Patent 8,220,688;

- U.S. patent application serial number 12/893,461 titled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE" filed on September 29, 2012, now U.S. Patent 8,733,613;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/036,647 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT" filed on February 28, 2011, now U.S. Patent 8,561,870;

- U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/118,241 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLEDEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. Patent 9,072,535;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/524,049 titled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTCOMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE" filed on June 15, 2012; now U.S. Patent 9,101,358;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/800,025 titled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSORSYSTEM" filed on March 13, 2013, now U.S. Patent 9,345,481;

- U.S. patent application serial number 13/800,067 titled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSORSYSTEM" filed on March 13, 2013, now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552;

- U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0175955 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM" filed on January 31, 2006; and

- U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0264194 titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH ANARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR" filed on April 22, 2010, now U.S. Patent 8,308,040.

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

The devices disclosed herein may be designed to be discarded after a single use, or they may be designed for multiple uses. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned after at least one use. Repair may include any combination of steps including, but not limited to, disassembly of the device, subsequent cleaning or replacement of specific components of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. Specifically, the device may be disassembled by a repair facility and/or surgical team and, after cleaning and/or replacement of certain components of the device, the device may be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the truing device can be disassembled, cleaned/replaced, and reassembled using a variety of techniques. The use of such techniques and the resulting repair devices are within the scope of this application.

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

While the invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.

Any patent, publication or other published material incorporated herein by reference in whole or in part is incorporated only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements or other published material described herein. This article. Accordingly, and to the extent necessary, the disclosures expressly set forth herein supersede any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, purported to be incorporated herein by reference that conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material listed herein will not create a conflict only between the incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. Incorporated to the extent of conflict.

Claims (18)

1. An end effector, comprising:

a staple cartridge comprising staples having legs; and

an anvil comprising a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the tissue compression surface, wherein the plurality of pockets comprise pockets having a cup configured to form the leg, and wherein the cup comprises a boundary surface comprising:

a periphery;

a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along a length of the cup;

a first curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile; and

a second curved sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile, wherein the first curved sidewall and the second curved sidewall intersect the perimeter at a constant angle along a majority of a length of the cup;

wherein the boundary surface extends entirely curvingly between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the cup.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the constant angle is between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the boundary surface further comprises a bottom surface intermediate the first curved sidewall and the second curved sidewall, wherein the first curved sidewall has a first radius of curvature at a first cross-sectional location, wherein the bottom surface has a second radius of curvature at the first cross-sectional location, and wherein the second radius of curvature is different from the first radius of curvature.

4. The end effector of claim 3, wherein the bottom surface has a variable radius of curvature along its length.

5. An end effector, comprising:

a staple cartridge comprising staples having legs; and

an anvil comprising a planar surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the planar surface, wherein the plurality of pockets comprise pockets having a cup configured to form the leg, and wherein the cup comprises a boundary surface comprising:

a periphery;

a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along a length of the cup;

a sidewall passing through the perimeter and the depth profile and having a plurality of curvatures, wherein the sidewall comprises first arcs intersecting the perimeter and having a first radius of curvature, and wherein a tangent to each of the first arcs at the perimeter is oriented at an angle, wherein the boundary surface extends entirely curvingly between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the cup.

6. The end effector of claim 5, wherein each of the curvatures comprises a second arc having a second radius of curvature, and wherein the second radius of curvature is different from the first radius of curvature.

7. The end effector of claim 5, wherein the angle is between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.

8. The end effector of claim 5, wherein the boundary surface further comprises:

a first sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile; and

a second sidewall extending from the perimeter toward the depth profile;

a curved surface extending intermediate the first and second sidewalls, wherein the curved surface has no flat surface.

9. The end effector of claim 5, wherein the depth of the cup varies along the length thereof.

10. An end effector, comprising:

a staple cartridge comprising staples having legs; and

an anvil comprising a planar surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the planar surface, wherein the plurality of pockets comprise pockets having a cup configured to form the leg of the staple, and wherein the cup comprises a boundary surface comprising:

a periphery;

a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along a length of the cup; and

A sidewall intersecting the perimeter and the depth profile and having a plurality of profile curvatures along a length of the cup, wherein the sidewall intersects the perimeter at a first angle;

wherein the boundary surface extends entirely curvingly between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the cup.

11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the end effector is movable between an open position and a clamped position, and wherein the legs are aligned with the cup when the end effector is in the clamped position.

12. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the plurality of contoured curvatures comprises a first curvature and a second curvature, wherein the perimeter of the cup extends around a staple inlet region, a staple outlet region, and a transition region intermediate the staple inlet region and the staple outlet region, and wherein the sidewall having the first curvature and the second curvature intersects the perimeter in the transition region.

13. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the plurality of profile curvatures further comprises a third curvature of the sidewall that intersects the perimeter at a second angle in the staple inlet zone, and wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

14. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the plurality of profile curvatures further comprises a third curvature of the sidewall that intersects the perimeter at a second angle in the staple exit zone, and wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

15. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the boundary surface further comprises:

a first sidewall extending from a first side of the cup;

a second sidewall extending from a second side of the cup; and

a bottom surface, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall meet at the bottom surface, and wherein the first sidewall meets the planar surface at the first angle along the length of the transition region.

16. The end effector of claim 15, wherein the second sidewall meets the planar surface at the first angle along the length of the transition zone.

17. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the first angle is between 55 and 80 degrees.

18. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the sidewall has no linear portion.