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 comprising a handle and a reusable housing. The handle comprises a frame supporting a trigger and a magnet. Actuation of the trigger relocates the magnet relative to the frame. The reusable housing supports a circuit and a sensor in signal communication with the circuit. The reusable housing is detachably mounted to the handle and the sensor is configured to detect a signal based on movement of the magnet. The circuit is configured to determine directionality and degree of movement of the trigger based on the signal detected by the sensor.

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 stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component.

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 stapling assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge assembly positioned in the first jaw is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples, a plurality of staple drivers, and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises a deck surface configured to support patient tissue, a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, a plurality of staple cavities, and a longitudinal wall extending vertically below the deck surface. The longitudinal wall comprises a first zone comprising a first wall height and a second zone comprising a second wall height. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled movable longitudinally through the cartridge body, wherein the sled is sized and configured resist deflection of the cartridge body during the firing stroke within the second zone.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge including a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and staple drivers movable within the cartridge body to eject, or deploy, the staples from the cartridge body is disclosed herein. The staple drivers and the cartridge body comprise control surfaces that promote the efficient deployment of the staples from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises an elongated channel comprising a retaining feature and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel. The staple cartridge includes a deck defining a tissue contacting surface, a housing, a cartridge pan releasably attachable to the elongated channel, staple drivers stored in the housing between the deck and the cartridge pan, staples stored in the housing, a central longitudinal slot along a central longitudinal plane, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position to motivate the staple drivers to deploy the staples. The retaining feature is configured to resist a movement of the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force. The retaining feature extends across the central longitudinal slot.

Abstract: An apparatus (1000) includes a shaft (600A) and an end effector (1200, 2200) configured to receive a staple cartridge (210) having staples and a sled (1210a, 2210a). The end effector includes a knife (1206, 2206), an anvil jaw (204, 1204), a cartridge jaw (1208, 2208), and a blocker (1255, 2255) coupled to the cartridge jaw. The blocker is vertically translatable relative to the cartridge jaw and the knife between a raised and lowered positions. The blocker in the raised position is configured to directly contact and thereby inhibit distal advancement of the knife, and the blocker in the lowered position is configured to permit distal advancement of the. The blocker is configured to assume the raised position in the absence of an unspent staple cartridge and the lowered position in the presence of an unspent staple cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus (1000) includes an end effector (1200, 2200, 2300, 3200, 4200, 5200), a first flexible coil (508, 1508), a second flexible coil (510, 1510), and a pivoting lock (1270, 2270, 2370, 3270, 4270, 5270). The end effector includes a first jaw (1202, 2202, 2302, 3202, 4202, 5202), a second jaw (1202), and a knife (1206, 2206, 2306, 3206, 4206, 5206). The first and second flexible coils are operatively attached to an upper portion (1238, 2238, 2338, 3238, 4238, 5238) and a lower portion (1246, 2246, 2346, 3246, 4246, 5246) of the knife, respectively. The pivoting lock is pivotable from an unlocked configuration to a locked-out configuration about a pivot axis located vertically between the first and second flexible coils to inhibit distal actuation of the knife. The knife can move the pivoting lock relative to the first and second jaws along the firing stroke.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge assembly positioned in the first jaw is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples, a plurality of staple drivers, and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises a deck surface configured to support patient tissue, a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, a plurality of staple cavities, and a longitudinal wall extending vertically below the deck surface. The longitudinal wall comprises a first zone comprising a first wall height and a second zone comprising a second wall height. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled movable longitudinally through the cartridge body, wherein the sled is sized and configured resist deflection of the cartridge body during the firing stroke within the second zone.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge including a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and staple drivers movable within the cartridge body to eject, or deploy, the staples from the cartridge body is disclosed herein. The staple drivers and the cartridge body comprise control surfaces that promote the efficient deployment of the staples from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a cartridge body, staple drivers, staples, and a sled assembly is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a deck, a longitudinal slot, and staple cavities defined in the deck. The sled assembly is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The sled assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a base and at least one rail extending from the base. The rail comprises a distal-facing ramp configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke. The rail is comprised of metal. The second component is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge assembly positioned in the first jaw is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples, a plurality of staple drivers, and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises a deck surface configured to support patient tissue, a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, a plurality of staple cavities, and a longitudinal wall extending vertically below the deck surface. The longitudinal wall comprises a first zone comprising a first wall height and a second zone comprising a second wall height. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled movable longitudinally through the cartridge body, wherein the sled is sized and configured resist deflection of the cartridge body during the firing stroke within the second zone.

Abstract: A method of assembling a staple cartridge is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method comprises attaching a pan to a cartridge body, the cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a deck, longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The method further comprises positioning staples in the staple cavities, positioning a support in the longitudinal slot such that an end of the support extends above the deck, and positioning a sled in the cartridge body proximal to the support such that the sled is longitudinally aligned with the support.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises an anvil comprising a proximal camming member. At least one jaw is movable relative to the other to close the end effector. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising a proximal channel aperture and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a cartridge pan. The cartridge pan comprises a proximal pan aperture configured to be positioned partially distal to the proximal channel aperture when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel in an unlocked configuration. The camming member is configured to proximally translate the cartridge pan relative to the cartridge body from the unlocked configuration to a locked configuration during a transition of the end effector to a closed configuration.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component. The surgical stapling assembly can be configured to form different staple shapes, such as non-planar staples and planar staples, can include an eccentrically-driven firing assembly, and/or can include a floatable component. The surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge including a longitudinal support beam.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configured to eject said staples from said cartridge body, and a deployable tissue cutting knife. During use, a firing member of a stapling instrument is advanced into the staple cartridge to deploy the tissue cutting knife and advance the sled distally through a staple firing stroke.