Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a staple cartridge retainer, and a staple cartridge datum locator. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife sled, and a replaceable staple cartridge. The first jaw can selectively couple with the replaceable staple cartridge and the knife sled can actuate along a firing stroke to cut and staple tissue captured by the first and second jaws. The staple cartridge retainer is located along a distal portion of the end effector and includes a resilient retention body that can inhibit the replaceable staple cartridge from disassociating with the first jaw. The staple cartridge datum location is located along a proximal portion of the end effector and can position the replaceable staple cartridge at its predetermined datum location when the first and second jaw are in a closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a base and a shaft extending distally from the base along a longitudinal axis. The shaft is configured to rotate relative to the base about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector operatively coupled with the shaft. The end effector is configured to articulate relative to the shaft about an articulation joint. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue. The second jaw is configured to support a stapling assembly. The surgical instrument further includes a firing assembly configured to be distally advanced through the shaft for driving distal translation of a staple actuator of the stapling assembly. The firing assembly is configured to be proximally retracted against at least one of the second jaw or the shaft to thereby apply a compression bias to the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a staple cartridge retainer, and a staple cartridge datum locator. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife sled, and a replaceable staple cartridge. The first jaw can selectively couple with the replaceable staple cartridge and the knife sled can actuate along a firing stroke to cut and staple tissue called by the first and second jaws. The staple cartridge retainer is located along a distal portion of the end effector and includes a resilient retention body that can inhibit the replaceable staple cartridge from disassociating with the first jaw. The staple cartridge datum location is located along a proximal portion of the end effector and can position the replaceable staple cartridge at its predetermined datum location when the first and second jaw are in a closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a base and a shaft extending distally from the base along a longitudinal axis. The shaft is configured to rotate relative to the base about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector operatively coupled with the shaft. The end effector is configured to articulate relative to the shaft about an articulation joint. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue. The second jaw is configured to support a stapling assembly. The surgical instrument further includes a firing assembly configured to be distally advanced through the shaft for driving distal translation of a staple actuator of the stapling assembly. The firing assembly is configured to be proximally retracted against at least one of the second jaw or the shaft to thereby apply a compression bias to the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a staple cartridge retainer, and a staple cartridge datum locator. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife sled, and a replaceable staple cartridge. The first jaw can selectively couple with the replaceable staple cartridge and the knife sled can actuate along a firing stroke to cut and staple tissue called by the first and second jaws. The staple cartridge retainer is located along a distal portion of the end effector and includes a resilient retention body that can inhibit the replaceable staple cartridge from disassociating with the first jaw. The staple cartridge datum location is located along a proximal portion of the end effector and can position the replaceable staple cartridge at its predetermined datum location when the first and second jaw are in a closed position.