Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferrable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising an end effector, a shaft assembly extending proximally from the end effector, a housing, a rotary motion actuator supported by the housing, a first actuation system configured to cause the end effector to perform a first function, a second actuation system configured to cause the end effector to perform a second function different from the first function, and a selector arrangement transitionable between a first orientation and a second orientation is disclosed. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge and staples deployable from the staple cartridge into tissue. The rotary motion actuator is configured to operably interface with the first actuation system in the first orientation to cause the end effector to perform the first function. The rotary motion actuator is configured to operably interface with the second actuation system to cause the end effector to perform the second function.

Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferrable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.

Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferrable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical tool system. Various embodiments of the surgical tool system may comprise surgical instrument that has a handle assembly that operably supports a drive system therein for generating drive motions upon actuation of a movable handle portion operably coupled to the handle assembly. An elongated body protrudes from the handle assembly and operably supports a control rod therein that interfaces with the drive system. The surgical tool system further includes at least two surgical tools selected from the group of surgical tools consisting of: manipulators, nippers, scissors, endocutters, tissue thickness measurement devices, staple appliers, clip appliers, syringes for applying glue, sealant, drugs or medicaments and cauterization devices wherein each of the surgical tool within the group of surgical tools at least has a housing that is removably couplable to the elongated body and a drive assembly that is removably couplable to the control rod for receiving the drive motions therefrom.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a firing member, an end effector, a closure member, and a shaft including an attachment interface is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly is configured to be attached to a surgical instrument interface by way of the attachment interface. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples configured to be ejected by the firing member. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position, a fully-clamped position, and a collapsed position. The end effector further comprises an interconnection between the first jaw and the second jaw defining a rotational axis about which the second iaw is movable relative to the first iaw. The rotational axis is shiftable toward and away from the first iaw as the second iaw is moved between the open position, the fully-clamped position, and the collapsed position.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and a drive system is disclosed. The surgical tool comprises a carrier removably couplable to the elongated body, an anvil movably supported for selective movement relative to the carrier in response to drive motions from the drive system, a tissue thickness measuring member movably supported in the carrier and configured to move toward and away from an underside of the anvil in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a sensor arrangement supported between the tissue thickness measuring member and the carrier. The sensor arrangement is configured to interface with an indicator member to provide an indication of a thickness of tissue clamped between the anvil and the tissue thickness measuring member at a location that is proximal to the anvil when in use.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a staple cartridge carrier, an anvil, an outer surface, a closure member, a staple cartridge, and a firing system is disclosed. The anvil is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The closure member is slideable along the outer surface to hold the anvil in the second position. The closure member comprises a clearance opening. The staple cartridge is positioned within the staple cartridge carrier. The staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein. The staple cartridge and the anvil define a tissue gap therebetween when the anvil is in the second position. The clearance opening is aligned with the tissue gap when the anvil is in the second position. The firing system is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. The firing system engages the staple cartridge carrier and the anvil during the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical stapling apparatus comprises a housing assembly, a shaft, a proximal segment, a distal segment, and an articulation system. The proximal segment comprises a first proximal end and a first distal end comprising an articulating segment. The distal segment comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end. The second proximal end comprises a pivot segment configured to be coupled with the articulating segment. The second distal end is configured to be attached to a stapling assembly. The articulation system is operably engaged with the distal segment to transmit a first articulation motion to the distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a first plane and a second articulation motion to the distal segment to cause the stapling assembly to articulate in a second plane that is different than the first plane.

Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.

Abstract: A disposable end effector for use with a surgical fastening instrument is disclosed. The disposable end effector comprises a proximal end configured to be attached to a shaft of the surgical fastening instrument, a distal end, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member. One of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the disposable end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The firing member transitions the disposable end effector to the closed configuration. The firing member comprises a first flange configured to engage the first jaw, a second flange configured to engage the second jaw, and two engagement surfaces configured to engage the first jaw. The first flange and the second flange are comprised of a metal. Resilient material is inserted on the two engagement surfaces.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities are arranged in an inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, a middle longitudinal row of staple cavities, and an outer longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple cartridge also comprises a proximal staple driver configured to eject a first quantity of staples. The staple cartridge also comprises an intermediate staple driver positioned distally to the proximal staple driver, wherein the intermediate staple driver is configured to eject a second quantity of staples. The staple cartridge further comprises a distal staple driver positioned distally to the intermediate staple driver, wherein the distal staple driver is configured to eject a third quantity of staples.

Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferrable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.