Surgical anvil arrangements

A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body including a tissue-facing surface, a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot comprises a first portion configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough and a second portion configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap welded to the anvil body, wherein the anvil cap comprises a welded portion and a non-welded portion, wherein the non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein the non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of the width of the second portion.

Surgical anvil manufacturing methods

A method for manufacturing a surgical stapling anvil is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a first anvil member and a second anvil member. The first anvil member comprises a tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets defined therein and a longitudinal cavity comprising anvil ledges configured to be engaged by anvil-camming portions of a firing member of a surgical stapling instrument. The method further comprises the steps of polishing the ledges of the first anvil member and welding the first anvil member and the second anvil member together.

Surgical anvil arrangements

A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body comprising a longitudinal slot configured to receive a firing member therethrough and a tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple-forming pockets defined therein. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap and a plurality of welds welding the anvil cap and the anvil body together. The welds comprise a shallow-welded zone comprising a first weld depth and a deep-welded zone comprising a second weld depth which is different than the first weld depth, wherein the shallow-welded zone and the deep-welded zone are configured to increase overall weld depth of the plurality of welds.

Surgical anvil arrangements

A surgical stapling anvil for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The anvil comprises an anvil body comprising a tissue-facing surface and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity comprises a first cavity portion configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting edge of a firing member of the surgical instrument therethrough, a second cavity portion configured to receive an anvil-engaging portion of the firing member therethrough, and a third cavity portion comprising a first angular surface which flares outward relative to the second cavity portion. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap comprising a first section positioned within a portion of the second cavity portion and a second section positioned within the third cavity portion, wherein the second section comprises a second angular surface corresponding to the first angular surface, and wherein the first angular surface and the second angular surface are welded together.

Surgical firing member arrangements

A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed comprising a firing member comprising a vertically extending body portion comprising two lateral sides, a first jaw engagement member configured to slidably engage a first jaw as the firing member moves through a staple-firing stroke, and a second jaw engagement member extending laterally from each lateral side of the body portion, wherein the second jaw engagement member is configured to slidably engage a second jaw as the firing member moves through the staple-firing stroke. The second jaw engagement member comprises a vertical thickness and a lateral width defined as the distance between the body portion and an outer edge of the second jaw engagement member, wherein the vertical thickness and the lateral width comprise a ratio between about 1:2 and about 1:1.

STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector can include a staple cartridge comprising a staple comprising a leg. The end effector can also include 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 comprises a pocket comprising a cup configured to form the leg. The cup can comprise a boundary surface comprising a perimeter, a depth profile defining the depth of the cup along the length thereof, 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 sidewalls can intersect the perimeter at a constant angle along a majority of the length thereof.

Articulation systems for surgical instruments

A surgical tool assembly is disclosed. The surgical tool assembly can include an end effector comprising an elongate channel configured to receive a fastener cartridge, and the elongate channel can comprise a brace. The surgical tool assembly can also include a shaft comprising an articulation drive assembly, wherein the articulation drive assembly comprises an articulation link pivotably coupled to the elongate channel. The articulation link comprises a pocket configured to receive the brace when the end effector is in a fully articulated configuration. The brace and the pocket can define complementary planar surfaces for resisting rotation of the brace within the pocket to resist de-articulation of the end effector when it is in its fully articulated configuration.

Staple forming pocket arrangements

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector can include a staple cartridge comprising a staple comprising a first leg. The end effector can also include an anvil comprising a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the tissue compression surface, wherein the plurality of pockets comprises a pocket comprising a first cup configured to form the first leg. The first cup can comprise a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a bottom intermediate the first lateral side and the second lateral side, wherein the bottom defines a depth relative to the tissue compression surface, and wherein the depth varies longitudinally along the length of the bottom. The first cup can further comprise sidewalls extending from the respective lateral sides to the bottom, wherein the sidewalls are defined by entirely-curved surfaces.

Surgical end effectors and anvils

A surgical end effector is disclosed. The end effector can include an anvil comprising a planar surface, wherein a plurality of forming pockets is defined in the planar surface. The forming pockets can include a first forming pocket comprising a first depth and a second forming pocket comprising a second depth, wherein the second depth is different than the first depth. The end effector can also include a staple cartridge comprising a stepped deck, a first driver aligned with the first pocket and movable a first distance between an unfired position and a fired position, and a second driver aligned with the second pocket and movable a second distance between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein the second distance is different than the first distance.

Surgical instrument including an electronic firing lockout

A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, a loading unit, a firing member configured to perform a firing stroke, a motor, a battery, a firing trigger, a control system, an electronic lockout, and a firing trigger lockout is disclosed. The electronic lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loadinq unit is not attached to the shaft. The electronic lockout is further configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loading unit is attached to the shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired. The firing trigger lockout is in a locked position when the loading unit is not attached to the elongate shaft. The firing trigger lockout is in the locked position when the loading unit is attached to the elongate shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired.