Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly such that the surgical end effector is selectively movable between an unarticulated position and a fully articulated position relative to the shaft axis. A firing beam is movably supported within a pathway in the elongate shaft assembly for selective longitudinal travel therein. The pathway is configured to position a portion of the firing beam exiting the distal end of the elongate shaft member to an off axis position relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument includes a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam that is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and be selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. A proximal support link is located proximal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a proximal portion of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. A distal support link is located distal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a distal portion of the flexible support beam traversing the articulation joint.

Abstract: An end effector can comprise, one, a fastener cartridge including a plurality of fasteners stored therein and, two, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners. The anvil can further comprise extensions extending therefrom which can control the flow of tissue relative to the fastener cartridge and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cartridge. The extensions can having different sizes and/or configurations.

Abstract: A compressible adjunct is used with a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge deck. The compressible adjunct includes a first biocompatible material, a second biocompatible material with a lower melting temperature than the first biocompatible material, and a body including a face positionable against a length of the staple cartridge deck. The face includes a plurality of attachment regions spaced apart from one another, wherein the plurality of attachment regions include the second biocompatible material, wherein the face is selectively attachable to the staple cartridge deck at said plurality of attachment regions, and a plurality of non-attachment regions extending between the plurality of attachment regions, wherein the second biocompatible material is selectively disposed outside said non-attachment regions.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that includes a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein one of the first and second jaws is selectively movable relative to the other of the first and second jaws upon application of a closure motion to the surgical end effector. In one form, a proximal closure member is configured to be axially advanced a complete closure stroke distance upon application of a closure actuation motion thereto. A distal closure member movably interfaces with the proximal closure member such that the distal closure member moves an axial closure distance in response to axial movement of the proximal closure member through the complete closure stroke distance to thereby cause the distal closure member to apply the closure motion to the surgical end effector. In at least one arrangement, the axial closure distance is less than the complete closure stroke distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. An articulation driver is supported for selective longitudinal travel relative to the elongate shaft assembly. A central articulation link is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for pivotal travel relative thereto. An intermediate link is movably coupled to the articulation driver and the central articulation link. An end effector driver is movably coupled to the central articulation link and the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. First and second articulation drivers are supported for selective longitudinal travel relative to the elongate shaft assembly. A first end effector link is movably coupled to the surgical end effector and is coupled to the first articulation driver for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto. A second end effector link is movably coupled to the surgical end effector and is coupled to the second articulation driver for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument includes a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam that is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and be selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. A proximal support link is located proximal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a proximal portion of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. A distal support link is located distal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a distal portion of the flexible support beam traversing the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for stapling the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical stapler comprises a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a plurality of staple cartridges, and an end effector comprising a tissue compression surface and an anvil comprising staple forming pockets, wherein the anvil is movable toward the tissue compression surface during a closing motion. The surgical stapler further comprises an anvil closing system configured to move the anvil through the closing motion, a staple firing system configured to deploy the staple cartridges along a path, and means for gripping the patient tissue and creating relative movement between the end effector and the patient tissue to re-position the end effector along the path.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising an end effector and a system configured to feed staples into the end effector is disclosed.

Abstract: Robotic surgical tools can incorporate a latching mechanism as a secondary fastener to maintain operable coupling between the robotic surgical tool and a mounting fixture of a robotic manipulator. Such robotic surgical tools may comprise: a tool housing, an elongate shaft extending from the tool housing, and a latching mechanism arranged on the elongate shaft. The latching mechanism comprises one or more retention tabs that are biased radially outward with one or more biasing members. The one or more retention tabs are configured to transition between a retracted state and a deployed state under influence of a biasing force supplied by the one or more biasing members. In the deployed state, the one or more retention tabs are positioned to engage an exterior surface of a mounting fixture of a robotic manipulator. In the retracted state, the one or more retention tabs are positioned to disengage from the mounting fixture.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure member that is axially movable in response to closing and opening motions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam that protrudes therefrom to movably engage a corresponding cam surface on the second jaw such that upon application of the opening motion, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the second jaw to an open position, even when the jaws are under a load.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. The surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector that has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. The surgical end effector is selectively pivotable about the articulation axis from an unarticulated position wherein the distal end of the surgical end effector is located an unarticulated distance from the articulation axis to articulated positions wherein the distal end of the surgical end effector is located a corresponding articulated distance from the articulation axis that is less than the unarticulated distance.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical end effector. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body having fastener cavities, fasteners removably positioned in the fastener cavities, a layer of material releasably secured relative to the cartridge body, a connector configured to secure the layer of material to the cartridge body at a location distal to at least one fastener cavity, and an actuator. The layer of material can be a tissue thickness compensator. When actuated, the actuator can overcome the connector, and can overcome the connector prior to the removal of the fasteners from the fastener cavities. The actuator can be actuated at a location proximal to at least one fastener cavity, and can extend distally past at least one fastener cavity toward the connector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure member that is axially movable in response to closing and opening motions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam that protrudes therefrom to movably engage a corresponding cam surface on the second jaw such that upon application of the opening motion, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the second jaw to an open position, even when the jaws are under a load.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument further includes a rotary articulation member that is supported for rotation travel about a rotary axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A first distal articulation driver assembly and a second distal articulation driver assembly operably interface with the surgical end effector and the rotary articulation member such that rotation of the rotary articulation member causes the first and second distal articulation drivers to articulate the surgical end effector relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical end effector includes a cartridge support member that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. The surgical instrument further includes a longitudinally movable firing beam that extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A firing beam locking assembly comprising a biasing member is operably supported on the articulation joint and is configured to apply a biasing motion to the firing beam to bias the firing beam into a locked position wherein the firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface, and a plurality of staple cavities. Each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. The staple cartridge further comprises a plurality of wells. Each well comprises sidewalls and a lowermost surface. The sidewalls of each well extend into the cartridge body from the deck to the lowermost surface. The plurality of wells comprises a first well and a second well laterally offset with respect to the first well. The staple cartridge further comprises a plurality of staples removably positioned in the staple cavities and a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions. The plurality of extensions comprises a first extension compressed between the sidewalls of the first well.