Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can comprise an end effector configured to receive a compatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first outer surface, and wherein a classifying identification of the end effector is inscribed on the first outer surface. The system can also comprise the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprising a second outer surface, wherein a classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is inscribed on the second outer surface. The classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge can correspond to the classifying identification of the end effector.

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 method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can comprise a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a distal laterally-protruding lug. The system can further comprise a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the proximal laterally-protruding lug and a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the distal laterally-protruding lug.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can comprise an end effector configured to receive a compatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first outer surface, and wherein a classifying identification of the end effector is inscribed on the first outer surface. The system can also comprise the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprising a second outer surface, wherein a classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is inscribed on the second outer surface. The classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge can correspond to the classifying identification of the end effector.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can comprise a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a distal laterally-protruding lug. The system can further comprise a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the proximal laterally-protruding lug and a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the distal laterally-protruding lug.

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 staple cartridge for use with a surgical end effector that includes a lock member that is movable between a locked configuration wherein a firing member is prevented from axial travel through the surgical end effector and an unlocked configuration wherein the firing member is axially advanceable. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body that supports a cam assembly therein that is movable between a starting position and an ending position. The cam assembly defines a central axis and includes at least one unlocking feature that is laterally offset from the central axis and is configured to engage the lock member when the cartridge body is seated within the end effector and the cam assembly is in said starting position to thereby move the lock member to the unlocked configuration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a blade assembly, and a lockout assembly. The first jaw removably couples with a staple cartridge. The second jaw is movably coupled with the first jaw. The blade assembly translates relative to the first jaw and includes a first tab. The lockout assembly includes a resilient member that biases the blade assembly to a lockout position. The lockout assembly engages the first tab of the blade assembly in the lockout position to prevent the blade assembly from translating distally relative to the first jaw when a staple cartridge is absent from the first jaw or when a spent staple cartridge is disposed in the first jaw.

Abstract: A apparatus includes a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and a locking feature. The end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position. The end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the first position and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the second position. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector and pivots the end effector from the first position to the second position. The locking feature is coupled with the articulation joint and translates from a proximal position to a distal position. The locking feature locks the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a closure ring. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw has a proximal end with a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface distal of the first ramped surface. The closure ring is coupled with the second jaw to engage the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw. The closure ring translates from a proximal position to a distal position to engage the first ramped surface of the second jaw and then the second ramped surface of the second jaw. The camming engagement of the closure ring with the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw pivots the second jaw toward the first jaw. The closure ring may also provide camming engagement to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw.

Abstract: An assembly for fastening tissue is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener comprising a first height and a second fastener comprising a second height, wherein the second height is different than the first height. The assembly further comprises a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other. The second jaw comprises a plurality of fastener-engaging portions. The plurality of fastener-engaging portions comprises a first fastener-engaging portion and a second fastener-engaging portion. The assembly further comprises a compressible layer intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a blade assembly, and a lockout assembly. The first jaw removably couples with a staple cartridge. The second jaw is movably coupled with the first jaw. The blade assembly translates relative to the first jaw and includes a first tab. The lockout assembly includes a resilient member that biases the blade assembly to a lockout position. The lockout assembly engages the first tab of the blade assembly in the lockout position to prevent the blade assembly from translating distally relative to the first jaw when a staple cartridge is absent from the first jaw or when a spent staple cartridge is disposed in the first jaw.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a blade assembly, and a lockout assembly. The first jaw removably couples with a staple cartridge. The second jaw is movably coupled with the first jaw. The blade assembly translates relative to the first jaw and includes a first tab. The lockout assembly includes a resilient member that biases the blade assembly to a lockout position. The lockout assembly engages the first tab of the blade assembly in the lockout position to prevent the blade assembly from translating distally relative to the first jaw when a staple cartridge is absent from the first jaw or when a spent staple cartridge is disposed in the first jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an articulation joint. The end effector is operable to manipulate (e.g., staple) tissue. The articulation joint couples the end effector with the shaft assembly and permits the end effector to deflect away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation joint comprises a locking assembly, which is operable to selectively lock the angular position of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly; and an unlocking feature. The unlocking feature is operable to selectively unlock the locking assembly. The shaft assembly further comprises a first movable member, which is operable to selectively drive articulation of the end effector at the articulation joint; and a second movable member, which is operable to selectively drive the unlocking feature. The second movable member is movable independently relative to the first movable member.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector comprises and anvil and a cartridge. A longitudinal axis intersects the distal tip of the anvil when the anvil is in a closed position. The cartridge defines a sight line extending along a distal surface of the cartridge from a first side of the cartridge toward the anvil. The first side of the cartridge is opposite to the anvil. The distal surface of the cartridge is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sight line intersects the longitudinal axis near the distal tip when the anvil is in the closed position. A segment of the sight line and a segment the longitudinal axis define an angle ?. The angle ? is larger than 90°.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.