Articulatable surgical stapling instruments

A surgical instrument that includes a shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a proximal articulation joint that defines a first articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis and a distal articulation joint that defines a second articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis and the first articulation axis. The instrument further includes an anvil that is non-removably attached to the shaft assembly and a channel that is removably attachable to the shaft assembly and configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge.

Articulatable surgical end effector with asymmetric shaft arrangement

A surgical tool assembly. A surgical end effector is movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint that is configured to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is operably coupled to the articulation joint. An elongate notch is provided in the distal end portion and is located on one lateral side of a shaft axis that is defined by the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly may be configured to prevent the distal end portion from buckling when an axial actuation motion is applied to the proximal end.

Methods of stapling tissue

A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

Surgical instrument with multiple failure response modes

A surgical instrument includes a failure response system with a first circuit configured to detect a first operational error of the powered surgical stapling and cutting instrument, and a control circuit configured to activate a first failure response mode if the first operational error is detected.

Surgical stapling instruments and replaceable tool assemblies thereof

Interchangeable surgical tool assemblies are disclosed. The interchangeable surgical tool assemblies can include an end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, and a sled configured to translate relative to the first jaw and the second jaw. The interchangeable surgical tool assemblies can also include a firing member comprising a first flange configured to engage the first jaw and a second flange configured to engage the second jaw. The interchangeable surgical tool assemblies can further include a pusher plate and a firing bar selectively coupled to the pusher plate, wherein the firing bar is configured to move through a plurality of successive firing strokes including a first distal firing stroke, a first proximal firing stroke, a second distal firing stroke, a second proximal firing stroke. Additionally or alternatively, the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies can include a rotatable end effector and a flexible spine.

Surgical instruments with lockout arrangements for preventing firing system actuation unless an unspent staple cartridge is present

A surgical end effector that includes a first jaw that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are supported for selective movement between an open position and a closed position relative to each other. A lock member is movable between an unlocked configuration that corresponds to an open position of the jaws and a locked configuration wherein the lock member prevents a firing member from being moved from a starting position within the end effector unless a surgical staple cartridge that has cam assembly located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw.

Staple forming pocket arrangement to accommodate different types of staples

A surgical stapling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system comprises a staple cartridge attachment portion, a first staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion, wherein the first cartridge comprises a plurality of first staples comprising first staple legs, and a second staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion in lieu of the first cartridge, wherein the second cartridge comprises a plurality of second staples comprising second staple legs, and wherein the second staples are different than the first staples. The system further comprises an anvil comprising a tissue-engaging surface and a plurality of forming pockets defined in the surface, wherein each pocket comprises a first landing zone configured to receive a leg of a first staple of the first cartridge and a second landing zone configured to receive a leg of a second staple of the second cartridge.

Staple forming pocket arrangements

In various embodiments, a stapling assembly is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises, among other things, an anvil configured to deform staples. The anvil comprises a tissue-engaging surface and a pair of forming pockets defined in the tissue engaging surface, wherein the pair of forming pockets is configured to deform the legs of a staple. The forming pockets comprise, one, a proximal forming pocket comprising a forming surface, wherein the forming surface comprises an entry zone comprising a first radius of curvature and an exit zone comprising a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature comprise a ratio of 1.5:1 to 3:1, and wherein the first radius of curvature is between 8 times and 10 times larger the staple diameter and, two, a distal forming pocket.

Articulation lock arrangements for locking an end effector in an articulated position in response to actuation of a jaw closure system

A surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector that is articulatable relative to an elongate shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is movable between an open position and closed positions when a closure member is moved in a closing direction. An articulation lock is configured to move from a locked configuration wherein the end effector is prevented from articulating and an unlocked configuration wherein the end effector is articulatable. The articulation lock is configured to move from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when the closure member is moved from the open position in the closing direction.

Lockout arrangements for surgical end effectors and replaceable tool assemblies

Surgical end effectors are disclosed. The surgical end effectors can include a first jaw, a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, and a lockout arrangement configured to prevent rotational movement of the second jaw toward the first jaw unless an unfired staple cartridge is positioned in the first jaw. The lockout arrangement can comprise a pivotable lock configured to pivot between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation, a shiftable lock bar, and/or a spring-loaded lockout lever.