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 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 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 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 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 relative thereto about an articulation axis that is laterally offset from the shaft axis and extends transversely relative thereto. An end effector driver link is operably coupled to the surgical end effector and an articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel in distal and proximal directions upon application of articulation motions thereto. A flexible de-articulation member is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and the surgical end effector to apply de-articulation motions to the surgical end effector.

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 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 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 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 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: An apparatus includes a body, a motor, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and an electrical potential shifting device. The body includes a firing switch configured to generate a motor drive signal including at least one of a motor activation signal portion or a motor deactivation signal portion. The motor includes a first power terminal and a second power terminal which define an electrical potential energy differential therebetween. The motor is configured to selectively activate and deactivate in response to the electrical potential energy differential. The first power terminal is coupled to a power supply and the second power terminal is coupled to the electrical potential shifting device. The electrical potential shifting device increases the electrical potential energy differential of the motor in response to detecting the motor activation signal portion and decreases the electrical potential energy of the motor in response to detecting the motor deactivation signal portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft extending distally from the body, a motor, a stapling assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a timer circuit operatively coupled to the motor and the firing actuator. The body includes a firing actuator and the motor is configured to activate in response to a firing actuation of the firing actuator. The motor is further configured to deactivate after a first predetermined time period subsequent to the firing actuation. The stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue and is operable to drive a plurality of staples into the clamped tissue in response to activation of the motor. The timer circuit is configured to activate a timer in response to the firing actuation. The timer is configured to run for a second predetermined time period. The timer circuit is configured to ensure deactivation of the motor upon expiration of the second predetermined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, and a stapling head assembly. The body includes a chassis, a bracket, a coupling, and a conical coil. The bracket is configured to move relative to the chassis between first and second positions when selectively activated by a user. The bracket includes an upright member. The conical coil spring is disposed between the bracket and the coupling. The conical coil spring includes a proximal end, a distal end, a conical helical body disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and at least one dead coil disposed at the distal end of the conical coil spring that is configured to prevent the distal end of the conical coil spring from being retained between the bracket and the chassis. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a distally extending shaft assembly, and a distal stapling assembly configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. A first user feedback element is configured to visually inform a user of a first condition of the stapling assembly, and a second user feedback element is configured to visually inform the user of a second condition of the stapling assembly. A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, a first light source configured to illuminate the first user feedback element, a second light source configured to illuminate the second user feedback element, and a light guide feature. The light guide feature is configured to direct light from the second light source toward the second user feedback element and simultaneously inhibit light emitted by the first light source from illuminating the second user feedback element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a sequential logic device. The body includes a safety switch, a firing actuator, and a motor. The stapling assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue. The sequential logic device is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to detect an actuation of the safety switch and of the firing actuator. The sequential logic device is further operable to detect an order in which the safety switch and the firing actuator are actuated, compare the detected order to a predetermined order, and in response to determining that the detected order is equivalent to the predetermined order, transmit a motor activation signal to the motor.

Abstract: A surgical tool assembly that includes a elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by a distal support link that is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector to define an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The distal support link is pivotally and axially movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the elongate shaft assembly about the articulation axis between a first unarticulated position and articulation position located on one side of the shaft axis.

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 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.

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 tool assembly that includes first and second jaws. The second jaw includes a second jaw body portion and a second jaw mounting portion that is movably coupled to the first jaw. A closure member that has at least one opening cam formed thereon is axially movable in response to closing and opening motions. The opening cam is configured to movably engage a corresponding cam surface that is formed on the second jaw body portion to move the second jaw to an open position.