Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an articulation joint and end effector extending distally from the articulation joint, wherein the end effector comprises a drive pin movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, the surgical instrument includes a shaft extending proximally from the articulation joint, and an articulation driver configured to move the drive pin from the first position to the second position to transition the end effector from an unarticulated configuration to an articulated configuration. Also, the surgical instrument includes a pin slot extending from the articulation driver, wherein the pin slot is configured to movably accommodate the drive pin in the unarticulated configuration, and wherein the pin slot is configured to tightly accommodate the drive pin in the articulated configuration.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft assembly, and a rotation locking mechanism. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and includes a shaft portion defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft portion, wherein the end effector and the shaft portion are axially rotatable relative to the housing about the longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The rotation locking mechanism is configured to prevent an axial rotation of the end effector and the shaft portion relative to the housing in the closed configuration. The rotation locking mechanism is configured to permit the axial rotation of the end effector and the shaft portion relative to the housing in the open configuration.

Abstract: A surgical end effector including a first jaw that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw between open and closed positions. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the first jaw along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position. A firing member lockout system is movable between an unlocked position wherein the firing member lockout system is out of engagement with the firing member and a locked position wherein the firing member lockout system is configured to prevent the firing member from being distally advanced from the starting position unless an unfired staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw. The firing member lockout system is configured to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the second jaw is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft assembly, and a rotation locking mechanism. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and includes a shaft portion defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft portion, wherein the end effector and the shaft portion are axially rotatable relative to the housing about the longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The rotation locking mechanism is configured to prevent an axial rotation of the end effector and the shaft portion relative to the housing in the closed configuration. The rotation locking mechanism is configured to permit the axial rotation of the end effector and the shaft portion relative to the housing in the open configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an articulation joint and end effector extending distally from the articulation joint, wherein the end effector comprises a drive pin movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, the surgical instrument includes a shaft extending proximally from the articulation joint, and an articulation driver configured to move the drive pin from the first position to the second position to transition the end effector from an unarticulated configuration to an articulated configuration. Also, the surgical instrument includes a pin slot extending from the articulation driver, wherein the pin slot is configured to movably accommodate the drive pin in the unarticulated configuration, and wherein the pin slot is configured to tightly accommodate the drive pin in the articulated configuration.

Abstract: A surgical tool assembly. The tool assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported on the first jaw for selective movement relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. The tool assembly further includes a shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. The shaft assembly includes an axially movable closure member that is configured to apply an initial closure motion to a cam surface on the second jaw in a first closure direction that is normal to the cam surface and an additional closure motion to the cam surface in a second closure direction that is parallel to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A surgical end effector including a first jaw that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw between open and closed positions. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the first jaw along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position. A firing member lockout system is movable between an unlocked position wherein the firing member lockout system is out of engagement with the firing member and a locked position wherein the firing member lockout system is configured to prevent the firing member from being distally advanced from the starting position unless an unfired staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw. The firing member lockout system is configured to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position when the second jaw is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: 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.