Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an actuator system operable to generate independent motions including end effector articulation motions, an end effector closing motion, and a staple firing motion. The actuator system comprises motor driven elements. The end effector articulation motions, the end effector closing motion, and the staple firing motion are transmitted through the motor driven elements. The surgical stapling system further comprises an elongate shaft extending from the housing, an articulation region comprising a first articulation joint and a second articulation joint, and a stapling end effector responsive to the independent motions generated by the actuator system. The stapling end effector comprises a staple cartridge jaw, an anvil jaw, and a firing member. The an anvil jaw comprises a longitudinal anvil slot and a longitudinal recess extending from the longitudinal anvil slot. The firing member comprises an anvil-engaging portion and a cartridge jaw-engaging portion.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. Various embodiments are configured to be operably attached to a robotic system to receive actuation/control motions therefrom.

Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes a plurality of rails extending upwardly from the base. Each of the plurality of rails includes at least one cam surface, and each of the cam surfaces is inclined relative to the plane. The plurality of rails includes a laterally-opposed pair of outer rails and a laterally-opposed pair of inner rails. The staple driver actuator further includes a distal nose extending distally from at least a portion of the base and having at least one ledge surface. The ledge surface faces upwardly, is parallel to the plane, and is at least partially positioned distally relative to each of the outer and inner rails.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an actuator system operable to generate independent motions and a stapling end effector responsive to the independent motions generated by the actuator system is disclosed. The stapling end effector comprises a staple cartridge jaw comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein, an anvil jaw, and a firing member. The firing member comprises an anvil-engaging portion and a cartridge jaw-engaging portion configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw.

Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes a plurality of rails extending upwardly from the base. Each of the plurality of rails includes at least one cam surface, and each of the cam surfaces is inclined relative to the plane. The plurality of rails includes a laterally-opposed pair of outer rails and a laterally-opposed pair of inner rails. The staple driver actuator further includes a distal nose extending distally from at least a portion of the base and having at least one ledge surface. The ledge surface faces upwardly, is parallel to the plane, and is at least partially positioned distally relative to each of the outer and inner rails.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body, at least one latch member, and a cartridge removal feature. The elongate body is sized and shaped to correspond with a deck of a surgical staple cartridge such that the elongate body is configured to cover a plurality of staple apertures of the surgical staple cartridge. The at least one latch member is configured to removably secure the elongate body to the surgical staple cartridge. The cartridge removal feature is integral with the elongate body. The cartridge removal feature defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of the surgical staple cartridge. The cartridge removal feature is further operable to remove the surgical staple cartridge from a surgical stapler.

Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments having surgical stapling cartridges are disclosed. At least one embodiment includes an end effector that has an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil that is movably supported on the elongate channel between an open position and closed positions in response to an application of opening and closing motions applied thereto. An anvil lock member cooperates with the anvil to retain the anvil in an open position when a staple cartridge has not been installed in the elongate channel and prevent the anvil from moving to a closed position until the staple cartridge has been seated within the elongate channel. Surgical staple cartridges are configured to move the anvil from an open position to an actuatable position when the cartridge has been installed in the end effector.

Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments having surgical stapling cartridges are disclosed. At least one embodiment includes an end effector that has an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil that is movably supported on the elongate channel between an open position and closed positions in response to an application of opening and closing motions applied thereto. An anvil lock member cooperates with the anvil to retain the anvil in an open position when a staple cartridge has not been installed in the elongate channel and prevent the anvil from moving to a closed position until the staple cartridge has been seated within the elongate channel. Surgical staple cartridges are configured to move the anvil from an open position to an actuatable position when the cartridge has been installed in the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a jaw closure lockout system. The first jaw can comprise a pivot pin slot and a slide pin slot. The second jaw can comprise an anvil and, in addition, a mounting portion comprising a pivot pin, which can be movably positioned in the pivot pin slot. A shiftable guide can be movably positioned in the first jaw and can comprise a body and a barrier wall. The body can comprise a slide pin movably positioned in the slide pin slot. The barrier wall can be aligned with a portion of the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned within a range of positions in the slide pin slot, and the barrier wall can be offset from the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned outside the range of positions.

Abstract: A staple driver actuator for a staple cartridge of a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane, and the base defines a longitudinal centerline. The base is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the staple cartridge. The staple driver actuator also includes at least one biasing member. The biasing member is positioned laterally outwardly relative to the longitudinal centerline of the base. The biasing member is configured to exert a biasing force on a portion of the staple cartridge in a direction toward the longitudinal centerline of the base.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a jaw closure lockout system. The first jaw can comprise a pivot pin slot and a slide pin slot. The second jaw can comprise an anvil and, in addition, a mounting portion comprising a pivot pin, which can be movably positioned in the pivot pin slot. A shiftable guide can be movably positioned in the first jaw and can comprise a body and a barrier wall. The body can comprise a slide pin movably positioned in the slide pin slot. The barrier wall can be aligned with a portion of the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned within a range of positions in the slide pin slot, and the barrier wall can be offset from the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned outside the range of positions.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a replaceable staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The staple cartridge further comprises a pan attachable to the cartridge body, wherein the pan is configured to prevent staples from falling out of a base of the cartridge body. The pan comprises a pan slot aligned with the longitudinal slot when the pan is attached to the cartridge body. The pan slot comprises a proximal portion comprising a first width and a distal portion comprising a second width. The first width is different than the second width.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge jaw comprising a channel. A staple cartridge is replaceably seated in the channel. The staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside the longitudinal slot, and second and third longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending alongside the first longitudinal row. Staples are removably positioned in the staple cavities. A double staple driver supports a staple from the first row and a staple from the second row. A single staple driver supports a staple from the third row. A sled comprises first and second camming surfaces configured to drive the double staple driver and the single staple driver toward the anvil, respectively. Distal ends of the first and second camming surfaces are staggered.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge jaw comprising a channel, wherein the channel comprises a lockout recess defined therein. A staple cartridge is replaceably seated in the channel. A firing member is configured to distally advance a sled during a staple firing stroke. The firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage the anvil, a second portion configured to engage the cartridge jaw, and a lockout portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The lockout portion is configured to engage the lockout recess when the sled is not in a proximal position prior to the staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling instrument is unable to perform the staple firing stroke when the lockout portion engages the lockout recess.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an actuator system operable to generate independent motions and a stapling end effector responsive to the independent motions generated by the actuator system is disclosed. The stapling end effector comprises a staple cartridge jaw comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein, an anvil jaw, and a firing member. The firing member comprises an anvil-engaging portion and a cartridge jaw-engaging portion configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw.

Abstract: A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.