Articulatable surgical instrument comprising a firing drive

[0001] The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various embodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments and staple cartridges therefor that are designed to cut and staple tissue.

[0037] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

[0038] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

[0041] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0042] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary surgical instrument 100 which can include a handle 103, a shaft 104 and an articulating end effector 102 pivotally connected to the shaft 104 at articulation joint 110. An articulation control 112 is provided to effect rotation of the end effector 102 about articulation joint 110. The end effector 102 is shown configured to act as an endocutter for clamping, severing and stapling tissue, however, it will be appreciated that various embodiments may include end effectors configured to act as other surgical devices including, for example, graspers, cutters, staplers, clip appliers, access devices, drug/gene therapy delivery devices, ultrasound, RF, and/or laser energy devices, etc. The handle 103 of the instrument 100 may include closure trigger 114 and firing trigger 116 for actuating the end effector 102. It will be appreciated that instruments having end effectors directed to different surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggers or other suitable controls for operating an end effector. The end effector 102 is connected to the handle 103 by shaft 104. A clinician may articulate the end effector 102 relative to the shaft 104 by utilizing the articulation control 112, as described in greater detail further below.

[0043] It should be appreciated that spatial terms such as vertical, horizontal, right, left etc., are given herein with reference to the figures assuming that the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument 100 is co-axial to the central axis of the shaft 104, with the triggers 114, 116 extending downwardly at an acute angle from the bottom of the handle 103. In actual practice, however, the surgical instrument 100 may be oriented at various angles and as such these spatial terms are used relative to the surgical instrument 100 itself. Further, proximal is used to denote a perspective of a clinician who is behind the handle 103 who places the end effector 102 distal, or away from him or herself. As used herein, the phrase, “substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis” where the “longitudinal axis” is the axis of the shaft, refers to a direction that is nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. It will be appreciated, however, that directions that deviate some from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis are also substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0044] Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to instruments having an articulation joint driven by bending cables or bands. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a cross-sectional top view of the elongate shaft 104 and the end effector 102 including a band 205 that is mechanically coupled to a boss 206 extending from the end effector 102. The band 205 may include band portions 202 and 204 extending proximally from the boss 206 along the elongate shaft 104 and through the articulation control 112. The band 205 and band portions 202, 204 can have a fixed length. The band 205 may be mechanically coupled to the boss 206 as shown using any suitable fastening method including, for example, glue, welding, etc. In various embodiments, each band portion 202, 204 may be provided as a separate band, with each separate band having one end mechanically coupled to the boss 206 and another end extending through the shaft 104 and articulation controller 112. The separate bands may be mechanically coupled to the boss 206 as described above.

[0045] Further to the above, band portions 202, 204 may extend from the boss 206, through the articulation joint 110 and along the shaft 104 to the articulation control 112, shown in FIG. 6. The articulation control 112 can include an articulation slide 208, a frame 212 and an enclosure 218. Band portions 202, 204 may pass through the articulation slide 208 by way of slot 210 or other aperture, although it will be appreciated that the band portions 202, 204 may be coupled to the slide 208 by any suitable means. The articulation slide 208 may be one piece, as shown in FIG. 6, or may include two pieces with an interface between the two pieces defining the slot 210. In one non-limiting embodiment, the articulation slide 208 may include multiple slots, for example, with each slot configured to receive one of the band portions 202, 204. Enclosure 218 may cover the various components of the articulation control 112 to prevent debris from entering the articulation control 112.

[0046] Referring again to FIG. 6, the band portions 202, 204 may be anchored to the frame 212 at connection points 214, 216, respectively, which are proximally located from the slot 210. It will be appreciated that band portions 202, 204 may be anchored anywhere in the instrument 10 located proximally from the slot 210, including the handle 103. The non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 6 shows that the band portions 202, 204 can comprise a bent configuration between the connection points 214, 216 and the slot 210 located near the longitudinal axis of the shaft 104. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the band portions 202, 204 are straight.

[0047] FIGS. 7-9 show views of the end effector 102 and elongate shaft 104 of the instrument 100 including the articulation joint 110 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the end effector 102 and elongate shaft 104 including various internal components. In at least one embodiment, an end effector frame 150 and shaft frame 154 are configured to be joined at articulation joint 110. Boss 206 may be integral to the end effector frame 150 with band 205 interfacing the boss 206 as shown. The shaft frame 154 may include a distally directed tang 302 defining an aperture 304. The aperture 304 may be positioned to interface an articulation pin (not shown) included in end effector frame 150 allowing the end effector frame 150 to pivot relative to the shaft frame 154, and accordingly, the end effector 102 to pivot relative to the shaft 104. When assembled, the various components may pivot about articulation joint 110 at an articulation axis 306 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0048] FIG. 7 also shows an anvil 120. In this non-limiting embodiment, the anvil 120 is coupled to an elongate channel 198. For example, apertures 199 can be defined in the elongate channel 198 which can receive pins 152 extending from the anvil 120 and allow the anvil 120 to pivot from an open position to a closed position relative to the elongate channel 198 and staple cartridge 118. In addition, FIG. 7 shows a firing bar 172, configured to longitudinally translate through the shaft frame 154, through the flexible closure and pivoting frame articulation joint 110, and through a firing slot 176 in the distal frame 150 into the end effector 102. The firing bar 172 may be constructed from one solid section, or in various embodiments, may include a laminate material comprising, for example, a stack of steel plates. It will be appreciated that a firing bar 172 made from a laminate material may lower the force required to articulate the end effector 102. In various embodiments, a spring clip 158 can be mounted in the end effector frame 150 to bias the firing bar 172 downwardly. Distal and proximal square apertures 164, 168 formed on top of the end effector frame 150 may define a clip bar 170 therebetween that receives a top arm 162 of a clip spring 158 whose lower, distally extended arm 160 asserts a downward force on a raised portion 174 of the firing bar 172, as discussed below.

[0049] A distally projecting end of the firing bar 172 can be attached to an E-beam 178 that can, among other things, assist in spacing the anvil 120 from a staple cartridge 118 positioned in the elongate channel 198 when the anvil 120 is in a closed position. The E-beam 178 can also include a sharpened cutting edge 182 which can be used to sever tissue as the E-beam 178 is advanced distally by the firing bar 172. In operation, the E-beam 178 can also actuate, or fire, the staple cartridge 118. The staple cartridge 118 can include a molded cartridge body 194 that holds a plurality of staples 191 resting upon staple drivers 192 within respective upwardly open staple cavities 195. A wedge sled 190 is driven distally by the E-beam 178, sliding upon a cartridge tray 196 that holds together the various components of the replaceable staple cartridge 118. The wedge sled 190 upwardly cams the staple drivers 192 to force out the staples 191 into deforming contact with the anvil 120 while a cutting surface 182 of the E-beam 178 severs clamped tissue.

[0050] Further to the above, the E-beam 178 can include upper pins 180 which engage the anvil 120 during firing. The E-beam 178 can further include middle pins 184 and a bottom foot 186 which can engage various portions of the cartridge body 194, cartridge tray 196 and elongate channel 198. When a staple cartridge 118 is positioned within the elongate channel 198, a slot 193 defined in the cartridge body 194 can be aligned with a slot 197 defined in the cartridge tray 196 and a slot 189 defined in the elongate channel 198. In use, the E-beam 178 can slide through the aligned slots 193, 197, and 189 wherein, as indicated in FIG. 7, the bottom foot 186 of the E-beam 178 can engage a groove running along the bottom surface of channel 198 along the length of slot 189, the middle pins 184 can engage the top surfaces of cartridge tray 196 along the length of longitudinal slot 197, and the upper pins 180 can engage the anvil 120. In such circumstances, the E-beam 178 can space, or limit the relative movement between, the anvil 120 and the staple cartridge 118 as the firing bar 172 is moved distally to fire the staples from the staple cartridge 118 and/or incise the tissue captured between the anvil 120 and the staple cartridge 118. Thereafter, the firing bar 172 and the E-beam 178 can be retracted proximally allowing the anvil 120 to be opened to release the two stapled and severed tissue portions (not shown).

[0051] FIGS. 7-9 also show a double pivot closure sleeve assembly 121 according to various embodiments. With particular reference to FIG. 7, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly 121 includes a shaft closure tube section 128 having upper and lower distally projecting tangs 146, 148. An end effector closure tube section 126 includes a horseshoe aperture 124 and a tab 123 for engaging the opening tab 122 on the anvil 120. The horseshoe aperture 124 and tab 123 engage tab 122 when the anvil 120 is opened. The closure tube section 126 is shown having upper 144 and lower (not visible) proximally projecting tangs. An upper double pivot link 130 includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins 134, 136 that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole 138 in the upper proximally projecting tang 144 and an upper proximal pin hole 140 in the upper distally projecting tang 146. A lower double pivot link 132 includes downwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins (not shown in FIG. 7, but see FIG. 8) that engage respectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang and a lower proximal pin hole 142 in the lower distally projecting tang 148.

[0052] In use, the closure sleeve assembly 121 is translated distally to close the anvil 120, for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger 114. The anvil 120 is closed by distally translating the closure tube section 126, and thus the sleeve assembly 121, causing it to strike a proximal surface on the anvil 120 located in FIG. 9A to the left of the tab 122. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the anvil 120 is opened by proximally translating the tube section 126, and sleeve assembly 121, causing tab 123 and the horseshoe aperture 124 to contact and push against the tab 122 to lift the anvil 120. In the anvil-open position, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly 121 is moved to its proximal position.

[0053] In operation, the clinician may articulate the end effector 102 of the instrument 100 relative to the shaft 104 about pivot 110 by pushing the control 112 laterally. From the neutral position, the clinician may articulate the end effector 102 to the left relative to the shaft 104 by providing a lateral force to the left side of the control 112. In response to force, the articulation slide 208 may be pushed at least partially into the frame 212. As the slide 208 is pushed into the frame 212, the slot 210 as well as band portion 204 may be translated across the elongate shaft 104 in a transverse direction, for example, a direction substantially transverse, or perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 104. Accordingly, a force is applied to band portion 204, causing it to resiliently bend and/or displace from its initial pre-bent position toward the opposite side of the shaft 104. Concurrently, band portion 202 is relaxed from its initial pre-bent position. Such movement of the band portion 204, coupled with the straightening of band portion 202, can apply a counter-clockwise rotational force at boss 206 which in turn causes the boss 206 and end effector 102 to pivot to the left about the articulation pivot 110 to a desired angle relative to the axis of the shaft 104 as shown in FIG. 12. The relaxation of the band portion 202 decreases the tension on that band portion, allowing the band portion 204 to articulate the end effector 102 without substantial interference from the band portion 202. It will be appreciated that the clinician may also articulate the end effector 102 to the right relative to the shaft 104 by providing a lateral force to the right side of the control 112. This bends cable portion 202, causing a clockwise rotational force at boss 206 which, in turn, causes the boss 206 and end effector to pivot to the right about articulation pivot 110. Similar to the above, band portion 204 can be concurrently relaxed to permit such movement.

[0054] FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument 310. This illustrated embodiment depicts an endoscopic instrument and, in general, the instrument 310 is described herein as an endoscopic surgical cutting and fastening instrument; however, it should be noted that the invention is not so limited and that, according to other embodiments, any instrument disclosed herein may comprise a non-endoscopic surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The surgical instrument 310 depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 comprises a handle 306, a shaft 308, and an end effector 312 connected to the shaft 308. In various embodiments, the end effector 312 can be articulated relative to the shaft 308 about an articulation joint 314. Various means for articulating the end effector 312 and/or means for permitting the end effector 312 to articulate relative to the shaft 308 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Jul. 13, 2010, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Various other means for articulating the end effector 312 are discussed in greater detail below. Similar to the above, the end effector 312 is configured to act as an endocutter for clamping, severing, and/or stapling tissue, although, in other embodiments, different types of end effectors may be used, such as end effectors for other types of surgical devices, graspers, cutters, staplers, clip appliers, access devices, drug/gene therapy devices, ultrasound, RF and/or laser devices, etc. Several RF devices may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0055] It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping the handle 306 of the instrument 310. Thus, the end effector 312 is distal with respect to the more proximal handle 306. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical” and “horizontal” are used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

[0056] The end effector 312 can include, among other things, a staple channel 322 and a pivotally translatable clamping member, such as an anvil 324, for example. The handle 306 of the instrument 310 may include a closure trigger 318 and a firing trigger 320 for actuating the end effector 312. It will be appreciated that instruments having end effectors directed to different surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggers or other suitable controls for operating the end effector 312. The handle 306 can include a downwardly extending pistol grip 326 toward which the closure trigger 318 is pivotally drawn by the clinician to cause clamping or closing of the anvil 324 toward the staple channel 322 of the end effector 312 to thereby clamp tissue positioned between the anvil 324 and channel 322. In other embodiments, different types of clamping members in addition to or lieu of the anvil 324 could be used. The handle 306 can further include a lock which can be configured to releasably hold the closure trigger 318 in its closed position. More details regarding embodiments of an exemplary closure system for closing (or clamping) the anvil 324 of the end effector 312 by retracting the closure trigger 318 are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued on Sep. 9, 2008, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec. 16, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0057] Once the clinician is satisfied with the positioning of the end effector 312, the clinician may draw back the closure trigger 318 to its fully closed, locked position proximate to the pistol grip 326. The firing trigger 320 may then be actuated, or fired. In at least one such embodiment, the firing trigger 320 can be farther outboard of the closure trigger 318 wherein the closure of the closure trigger 318 can move, or rotate, the firing trigger 320 toward the pistol grip 326 so that the firing trigger 320 can be reached by the operator using one hand, in various circumstances. Thereafter, the operator may pivotally draw the firing trigger 320 toward the pistol grip 312 to cause the stapling and severing of clamped tissue in the end effector 312. Thereafter, the firing trigger 320 can be returned to its unactuated, or unfired, position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) after the clinician relaxes or releases the force being applied to the firing trigger 320. A release button on the handle 306, when depressed, may release the locked closure trigger 318. The release button may be implemented in various forms such as, for example, those disclosed in published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, which was filed on Jan. 31, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0058] Further to the above, the end effector 312 may include a cutting instrument, such as knife, for example, for cutting tissue clamped in the end effector 312 when the firing trigger 320 is retracted by a user. Also further to the above, the end effector 312 may also comprise means for fastening the tissue severed by the cutting instrument, such as staples, RF electrodes, and/or adhesives, for example. A longitudinally movable drive shaft located within the shaft 308 of the instrument 310 may drive/actuate the cutting instrument and the fastening means in the end effector 312. An electric motor, located in the handle 306 of the instrument 310 may be used to drive the drive shaft, as described further herein. In various embodiments, the motor may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other embodiments, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. A battery (or “power source” or “power pack”), such as a Li ion battery, for example, may be provided in the pistol grip portion 26 of the handle 6 adjacent to the motor wherein the battery can supply electric power to the motor via a motor control circuit. According to various embodiments, a number of battery cells connected in series may be used as the power source to power the motor. In addition, the power source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

[0059] As outlined above, the electric motor in the handle 306 of the instrument 310 can be operably engaged with the longitudinally-movable drive member positioned within the shaft 308. Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, an electric motor 342 can be mounted to and positioned within the pistol grip portion 326 of the handle 306. The electric motor 342 can include a rotatable shaft operably coupled with a gear reducer assembly 370 wherein the gear reducer assembly 370 can include, among other things, a housing 374 and an output pinion gear 372. In certain embodiments, the output pinion gear 372 can be directly operably engaged with a longitudinally-movable drive member 382 or, alternatively, operably engaged with the drive member 382 via one or more intermediate gears 386. The intermediate gear 386, in at least one such embodiment, can be meshingly engaged with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 384 defined in the drive member 382. In use, the electric motor 342 can be drive the drive member distally, indicated by an arrow D (FIG. 15), and/or proximally, indicated by an arrow D (FIG. 16), depending on the direction in which the electric motor 342 rotates the intermediate gear 386. In use, a voltage polarity provided by the battery can operate the electric motor 342 in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor 342 in a counter-clockwise direction. The handle 306 can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor 342 by the battery. The handle 306 can also include a sensor 330 configured to detect the position of the drive member 382 and/or the direction in which the drive member 382 is being moved.

[0060] As indicated above, the surgical instrument 310 can include an articulation joint 314 about which the end effector 312 can be articulated. The instrument 310 can further include an articulation lock which can be configured and operated to selectively lock the end effector 312 in position. In at least one such embodiment, the articulation lock can extend from the proximal end of the shaft 308 to the distal end of the shaft 308 wherein a distal end of the articulation lock can engage the end effector 312 to lock the end effector 312 in position. Referring again to FIGS. 12 and 13, the instrument 310 can further include an articulation control 316 which can be engaged with a proximal end of the articulation lock and can be configured to operate the articulation lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. In use, the articulation control 316 can be pulled proximally to unlock the end effector 312 and permit the end effector 312 to rotate about the articulation joint 314. After the end effector 312 has been suitably articulated, the articulation control 316 can be moved distally to re-lock the end effector 312 in position. In at least one such embodiment, the handle 306 can further include a spring and/or other suitable biasing elements configured to bias the articulation control 316 distally and to bias the articulation lock into a locked configuration with the end effector 312. If the clinician desires, the clinician can once again pull the articulation control 316 back, or proximally, to unlock the end effector 312, articulate the end effector 312, and then move the articulation control 316 back into its locked state. In such a locked state, the end effector 312 may not articulate relative to the shaft 308.

[0061] As outlined above, the surgical instrument 310 can include an articulation lock configured to hold the end effector 312 in position relative to the shaft 308. As also outlined above, the end effector 312 can be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft 308 when the articulation lock is in its unlocked state. In such an unlocked state, the end effector 312 can be positioned and pushed against soft tissue and/or bone, for example, surrounding the surgical site within the patient in order to cause the end effector 312 to articulate relative to the shaft 308. In certain embodiments, the articulation control 316 can comprise an articulation switch or can be configured to operate an articulation switch which can selectively permit and/or prevent the firing trigger 320 from operating the electric motor 342. For instance, such an articulation switch can be placed in series with the electric motor 342 and a firing switch operably associated with the firing trigger 320 wherein the articulation switch can be in a closed state when the articulation control 316 is in a locked state. When the articulation control 316 is moved into an unlocked state, the articulation control 316 can open the articulation switch thereby electrically decoupling the operation of the firing trigger 320 and the operation of the electric motor 342. In such circumstances, the firing drive of the instrument 310 cannot be fired while the end effector 312 is in an unlocked state and is articulatable relative to the shaft 308. When the articulation control 316 is returned to its locked state, the articulation control 316 can re-close the articulation switch which can then electrically couple the operation of the firing trigger 320 with the electric motor 342. Various details of one or more surgical stapling instruments are disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, which was filed on Dec. 24, 2009, and which published on Jun. 30, 2011 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0155785, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0062] Turning now to FIGS. 17-29, a surgical instrument 400 can comprise a handle 403, a shaft 404 extending from the handle 403, and an end effector 402 extending from the shaft 404. As the reader will note, portions of the handle 403 have been removed for the purposes of illustration; however, the handle 403 can include a closure trigger and a firing trigger similar to the closure trigger 114 and the firing trigger 116 depicted in FIG. 1, for example. As will be described in greater detail below, the firing trigger 116 can be operably coupled with a firing drive including a firing member 470 extending through the shaft 404 wherein the operation of the firing trigger 116 can advance the firing member 470 distally toward the end effector 402. As will also be described in greater detail below, the surgical instrument 400 can further include an articulation drive which can be selectively coupled with the firing member 470 such that, when the firing member 470 is motivated by the firing trigger 116 and/or by a separate articulation trigger, for example, the articulation drive can be driven by the firing member 470 and the articulation drive can, in turn, articulate the end effector 402 about an articulation joint 410.

[0063] Turning now to FIG. 17, the reader will note that the end effector 402 of the surgical instrument 400 is illustrated in an open configuration. More particularly, a first jaw of the end effector 402 comprising an anvil 420 is illustrated in an open position relative to a channel 498 of a second jaw of the end effector 402. Similar to the above, the channel 498 can be configured to receive and secure a staple cartridge therein. Turning now to FIG. 20 which also illustrates the end effector 420 in an open configuration, the handle 403 of the surgical instrument 400 can include an articulation lock actuator 409 which can be moved between a distal, or locked, position in which the end effector 402 is locked in position relative to the shaft 404 and a proximal, or unlocked, position in which the end effector 402 can be articulated relative to the shaft 404 about the articulation joint 410. Although the end effector 402 and the shaft 404 are illustrated in FIG. 20 as being aligned in a straight configuration, the articulation lock actuator 409 is illustrated in its retracted, unlocked position and, as a result, the end effector 402 can be articulated relative to the shaft 404. Referring to FIGS. 19, 24A and 24B, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be operably coupled with an articulation lock 443 wherein the articulation lock actuator 409 can move the articulation lock 443 between a distal position (FIG. 24A) in which the articulation lock 443 is engaged with a proximal lock member 407 of the end effector 402 and a proximal position (FIG. 24B) in which the articulation lock 443 is disengaged from the end effector 402. As the reader will appreciate, the distal, locked, position of the articulation lock actuator 409 corresponds with the distal position of the articulation lock 443 and the proximal, unlocked, position of the articulation lock actuator 409 corresponds with the proximal position of the articulation lock 443. Turning now to FIG. 19, the articulation lock 443 is coupled to the articulation lock actuator 409 by an articulation lock bar 440 which comprises a distal end 442 engaged with the articulation lock 443, as better seen in FIG. 24A, and a proximal end 441 engaged with the articulation lock actuator 409, as better seen in FIG. 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the articulation lock 443 can comprise one or more teeth 445 which can be configured to meshingly engage one or more teeth 446 defined around the perimeter of the proximal lock member 407, for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the shaft 404 can further comprise a biasing member, such as a spring 444, for example, which can be configured to bias the teeth 445 of the articulation lock 443 into engagement with the teeth 446 of the proximal lock member 407 of the end effector 402. Similarly, the handle 403 can further comprise a biasing member positioned within the cavity 488 defined between the articulation lock actuator 409 and the frame 480 such that the biasing member can push the articulation lock actuator 409 towards its distal, locked, position.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be comprised of two nozzle halves, or portions, 411a and 411b wherein, as the reader will note, the nozzle portion 411b has been removed from FIGS. 18-27 for the purposes of illustration. As also illustrated in FIG. 17, the articulation lock actuator 409 can comprise a plurality of finger hooks 413 which can be grasped by the surgeon, or other clinician, in order to retract the articulation lock actuator 409 into its proximal, unlocked, configuration. The articulation lock actuator 409, referring again to FIG. 20, can further include a detent assembly 452 which can be configured to bias a detent member 457 against the frame of the shaft 404 or the frame of the handle 403. More particularly, the shaft 404 can comprise a shaft frame 454 extending from a handle frame 480 wherein the detent assembly 452 can be configured to bias the detent member 457 against the shaft frame 454. Referring to FIG. 19, the shaft frame 454 can include a detent channel 453 defined therein which can be aligned with the detent member 457 such that, as the articulation lock actuator 409 is slid between its locked and unlocked positions described above, the detent member 457 can slide within the detent channel 453. The detent assembly 452, referring again to FIG. 20, can include a stationary frame portion 458 which can define a threaded aperture configured to receive an adjustable threaded member 459. The adjustable threaded member 459 can include an internal aperture wherein at least a portion of the detent member 457 can be positioned within the internal aperture and wherein the detent member 457 can be biased to the end of the internal aperture by a spring, for example, positioned intermediate the detent member 457 and a closed end of the internal aperture, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the proximal end of the detent channel 453 can comprise a detent seat 455 which can be configured to removably receive the detent member 457 when the articulation lock actuator 409 has reached its proximal, unlocked, position. In various circumstances, the detent member 457, the detent seat 455, and the biasing spring positioned in the adjustable threaded member 459 can be sized and configured such that the detent assembly 452 can releasably hold the articulation lock actuator 409 in its proximal, unlocked, position. As described in greater detail below, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be held in its proximal, unlocked, position until the end effector 402 has been suitably articulated. At such point, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be pushed forward to disengage the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455. As the reader will appreciate, referring primarily to FIG. 20, the adjustable threaded member 459 can be rotated downwardly toward the shaft frame 454 in order to increase the force needed to unseat the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455 while the adjustable threaded member 459 can be rotated upwardly away from the shaft frame 454 in order to decrease the force needed to unseat the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455. As also illustrated in FIG. 20, the articulation lock actuator 409 can comprise an access port 418 which can be utilized to access and rotate the threaded member 459.

[0065] As discussed above, the articulation lock actuator 409 is in a retracted, unlocked, position in FIG. 20 and the end effector 402 is in an unlocked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 24B. Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, the surgical instrument 400 further comprises an articulation driver 460 which can be pushed distally to rotate the end effector 402 about the articulation joint 410 in a first direction and pulled proximally to rotate the end effector 402 about the articulation joint in a second, or opposite, direction, as illustrated in FIG. 21. Upon comparing FIGS. 20 and 21, the reader will note that the articulation driver 460 has been pulled proximally by the firing member 470. More specifically, an intermediate portion 475 of the firing member 470 can comprise a notch, or slot, 476 defined therein which can be configured to receive a proximal end 461 of the articulation driver 460 such that, when the firing member 470 is pulled proximally, the firing member 470 can pull the articulation driver 460 proximally as well. Similarly, when the firing member 470 is pushed distally, the firing member 470 can push the articulation driver 460 distally. As also illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the articulation driver 460 can comprise a distal end 462 engaged with a projection 414 extending from the proximal lock member 407, for example, which can be configured to transmit the proximal and distal articulation motions of the articulation driver 460 to the end effector 102. Referring primarily to FIGS. 18-20, the handle 404 can further comprise a proximal firing member portion 482 of the firing member 470 including a distal end 481 engaged with a proximal end 477 of the intermediate portion 475 of the firing member 470. Similar to the above, the handle 403 can include an electric motor comprising an output shaft and a gear operably engaged with the output shaft wherein the gear can be operably engaged with a longitudinal set of teeth 484 defined in a surface of the firing member portion 482. In use, further to the above, the electric motor can be operated in a first direction to advance the firing member 470 distally and a second, or opposite, direction to retract the firing member 470 proximally. Although not illustrated, the handle 403 can further comprise a switch which can be positioned in a first condition to operate the electric motor in its first direction, a second condition to operate the electric motor in its second direction, and/or a neutral condition in which the electric motor is not operated in either direction. In at least one such embodiment, the switch can include at least one biasing member, such as a spring, for example, which can be configured to bias the switch into its neutral condition, for example. Also, in at least one such embodiment, the first condition of the articulation switch can comprise a first position of a switch toggle on a first side of a neutral position and the second condition of the articulation switch can comprise a second position of the switch toggle on a second, or opposite, side of the neutral position, for example.

[0066] In various circumstances, further to the above, the articulation switch can be used to make small adjustments in the position of the end effector 402. For instance, the surgeon can move the articulation switch in a first direction to rotate the end effector 402 about the articulation joint in a first direction and then reverse the movement of the end effector 402 by moving the articulation switch in the second direction, and/or any other suitable combinations of movements in the first and second directions, until the end effector 402 is positioned in a desired position. Referring primarily to FIGS. 19, 24A, and 24B, the articulation joint 410 can include a pivot pin 405 extending from a shaft frame member 451 and, in addition, an aperture 408 defined in the proximal lock member 407 which is configured to closely receive the pivot pin 405 therein such that the rotation of the end effector 402 is constrained to rotation about an articulation axis 406, for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the distal end of the shaft frame 454 can include a recess 456 configured to receive the shaft frame member 451 therein. As will be described in greater detail below, the shaft 404 can include an outer sleeve which can be slid relative to the shaft frame 454 in order to close the anvil 420. Referring primarily to FIGS. 19-21, the outer sleeve of the shaft 410 can comprise a proximal portion 428 and a distal portion 426 which can be connected to one another by articulation links 430 and 432. When the outer sleeve is slid relative to the articulation joint 410, the articulation links 430 can accommodate the angled relative movement between the distal portion 426 and the proximal portion 428 of the outer sleeve when the end effector 402 has been articulated, as illustrated in FIG. 21. In various circumstances, the articulation links 430 and 432 can provide two or more degrees of freedom at the articulation joint 410 in order to accommodate the articulation of the end effector 402. The reader will also note that the articulation joint 410 can further include a guide 401 which can be configured to receive a distal cutting portion 472 of the firing member 470 therein and guide the distal cutting portion 472 as it is advanced proximally and/or retracted distally within and/or relative to the articulation joint 410.

[0067] As outlined above, the firing member 470 can be advanced distally in order to advance the articulation driver 460 distally and, as a result, rotate the end effector 402 in a first direction and, similarly, the firing member 470 can be retracted proximally in order to retract the articulation driver 460 proximally and, as a result, rotate the end effector 402 in an opposite direction. In some circumstances, however, it may be undesirable to move, or at least substantially move, the distal cutting portion 472 of the firing member 470 when the firing member 470 is being utilized to articulate the end effector 402. Turning now to FIGS. 19-21, the intermediate portion 475 of the firing member 470 can comprise a longitudinal slot 474 defined in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive the proximal end 473 of the distal cutting portion 472. The longitudinal slot 474 and the proximal end 473 can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint 471. The slip joint 471 can permit the intermediate portion 475 of the firing drive 470 to be moved to articulate the end effector 402 without moving, or at least substantially moving, the distal cutting portion 472. Once the end effector 402 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate portion 475 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 474 comes into contact with the proximal end 473 in order to advance the distal cutting portion 472 and fire the staple cartridge positioned within the channel 498, as described in greater detail further below. Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the shaft frame 454 can comprise a longitudinal slot 469 defined therein which can be configured to slidably receive the articulation driver 460 and, similarly, the proximal portion 428 of the outer shaft sleeve can comprise a longitudinal opening 425 configured to accommodate the relative movement between the articulation driver 460 and the outer sleeve of the shaft 404 described above.

[0068] Further to the above, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be configured to bias the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver 460 toward the drive member 470 when the articulation lock actuator 409 is in its proximal, unlocked, position. More particularly, in at least one such embodiment, the inner surface of the articulation lock actuator 409 can comprise a cam which can engage a lateral side 466 of the proximal portion 461 and bias the proximal portion 461 into engagement with the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 of the drive member 470. When the articulation lock actuator 409 is moved back into its distal, locked, position, the articulation lock actuator 409 may no longer bias the proximal portion 461 inwardly toward the drive member 470. In at least one such embodiment, the handle 403 and/or the shaft 404 can comprise a resilient member, such as a spring, for example, which can be configured to bias the proximal portion 461 outwardly away from the firing member 470 such that the proximal portion 461 is not operably engaged with the slot 476 unless the biasing force of the resilient member is overcome by the articulation lock actuator 409 when the articulation lock actuator 409 is moved proximally into its unlocked position, as described above. In various circumstances, the proximal portion 461 and the slot 476 can comprise a force-limiting clutch. More specifically, the proximal portion 461 and the slot 476 can be designed and configured such that the slot 476 can slip by the proximal portion 461 when a force generated between the firing member 470 and the articulation driver 460 exceeds a predetermined value. In such circumstances, the articulation driver 460 can become disengaged from the firing member 470 in the event that the end effector 402 becomes over-articulated or becomes otherwise jammed, for example.

[0069] Once the end effector 402 has been articulated into the desired orientation, further to the above, the closure trigger 114 can be actuated to move the anvil 420 toward its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 22. More particularly, the closure trigger 114 can advance the outer sleeve of the shaft 410 distally such that the distal portion 426 of the outer sleeve can push the anvil 420 distally and downwardly, for example. The anvil 420 can comprise projections 497 extending from opposite sides of the anvil 420 which can each be configured to slide and rotate within elongate slots 499 defined in the cartridge channel 498. The anvil 420 can further comprise a projection 496 extending upwardly therefrom which can be positioned within an aperture 495 defined in the distal portion 426 of the outer sleeve wherein a sidewall of the aperture 495 can contact the projection 496 as the distal portion 426 is advanced distally to move the anvil 420 toward the cartridge channel 498. The actuation of the closure drive, further to the above, can also move the articulation lock actuator 409 from its proximal, unlocked, position (FIGS. 20-22) into its distal, locked, position (FIG. 23). More specifically, the closure drive can be configured to advance a closure drive carriage 415 distally which can contact a collar 450 mounted within the articulation actuator 409, as illustrated in FIG. 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22, the collar 450 can comprise opposing portions, or halves, which can be assembled together such that the opposing portions of the collar 450 can surround the shaft 404. The collar 450 can also support the detent assembly 452, which is discussed above, and can include a mounting portion engaged with the proximal end 441 of the articulation lock bar 440, which is also discussed above. In any event, the closure drive carriage 415 can contact the collar 450 and slide the articulation lock actuator 409 distally and, further to the above, displace the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455, referring to FIG. 19, into the detent channel 453 such that the articulation lock actuator 409 can be pushed into its locked position and the articulation lock 443 can be moved into engagement with the proximal lock portion 407 to lock the end effector 402 in position, as illustrated in FIG. 23. At such point, the closure drive carriage 415 can prevent the end effector 402 from being unlocked and articulated until the closure drive and the anvil 420 is reopened and the closure drive carriage 415 is moved proximally, as described in greater detail further below.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 25, the actuation of the closure drive by the closure drive actuator 114 and the distal advancement of the outer sleeve 428 of the shaft 410 can also operably disengage the articulation driver 460 from the firing drive 470. Upon reviewing FIGS. 20 and 21 once again, the reader will note that the outer sleeve 428 includes a window 424 defined therein within which a rotatable cam member 465 can be positioned. The cam member 465 can comprise a first end rotatably pinned or coupled to the shaft frame 454 and a second end configured to rotate relative to the pinned end of the cam member 465 while, in other embodiments, the cam member 465 can comprise any suitable shape. When the outer sleeve 428 is in its proximal position and the anvil 420 is in its open configuration, the cam member 465 can be in a first position which permits the proximal end 461 of the articulation driver 460 to be engaged with the slot 476 defined in the firing member 470; however, when the outer sleeve 428 is advanced distally, a sidewall of the window 424 can engage the cam member 465 and lift the second end of the cam member 465 away from the shaft frame 454 into a second position. In this second position, the cam member 465 can move the proximal end 461 of the articulation driver 460 away from the firing drive 470 such that the proximal end 461 is no longer positioned within the slot 476 defined in the firing drive 470. Thus, when the closure drive has been actuated to close the anvil 420, the closure drive can push the articulation lock actuator 409 into its distal, locked, configuration, the articulation lock actuator 409 can push the articulation lock 445 into a locked configuration with the end effector 402, and, in addition, the closure drive can operably disconnect the articulation driver 460 from the firing drive 470. At such point in the operation of the surgical instrument 400, the actuation of the firing drive 470 will not articulate the end effector 402 and the firing drive 470 can move independently of the articulation driver 460.

[0071] Turning now to FIG. 26, as mentioned above, the firing drive 470 can be advanced distally to eject staples from a staple cartridge positioned within the channel 498 of the end effector 402 and to deform the staples against the anvil 420. As outlined above, the firing drive 470 can further comprise a cutting member which can be configured to transect the tissue captured within the end effector 402. As also mentioned above, the electric motor within the handle 403 can be operated by the firing actuator 116 in order to advance the firing member 470 distally wherein, in various circumstances, the electric motor can be operated until the distal cutting portion 472 of the firing member 470 reaches the distal end of the staple cartridge and/or any other suitable position within the staple cartridge. In any event, the rotation of the electric motor can be reversed to retract the firing member 470 proximally, as illustrated in FIG. 27. In various circumstances, the electric motor can retract the proximal drive portion 482 and the intermediate portion 475 until the distal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 474 defined in the intermediate portion 475 comes into contact with the proximal end 473 of the distal cutting member 472. At such point, the further retraction of the proximal drive portion 482 and the intermediate portion 475 will retract the distal cutting member 472 proximally. In various circumstances, the electric motor can be operated until the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 of the firing member 470 is realigned with the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver 460; however, as the closure sleeve 428 is still in a distally advanced position, the cam member 465 may still be biasing the articulation driver 460 out of engagement with the firing member 470. In order to permit the articulation driver 460 to be re-engaged with the firing member 470, in such circumstances, the closure drive would have to be re-opened to bring the window 424 defined in the outer sleeve portion 428 into alignment with the cam member 465 such that the cam member 465 can be pivoted inwardly toward the shaft frame 454 into its first position. In various circumstances, the articulation driver 460 can be resiliently flexed out of engagement with the firing member 470 such that, when the cam member 465 is permitted to move back into its first position, the articulation driver 460 can resiliently flex inwardly toward the shaft frame 454 to re-engage the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver 460 with the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 of the drive member 470. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 400 can further comprise a biasing member which can be configured to bias the proximal portion 461 back into engagement with the intermediate portion 475.

[0072] The reader will note that the intermediate portion 475 of the firing member 470 has been retracted proximally in FIG. 27 such that the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 is positioned proximally with respect to the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver 460. In such circumstances, as a result, the proximal portion 461 may not be operably re-connected to the firing member 470 until the intermediate portion 475 is advanced distally to align the slot 476 with the proximal portion 461. Such circumstances may arise as a result of the relative slip between the intermediation portion 475 and the cutting member portion 472 of the firing member 470 created by the slip joint 471 which can be addressed by momentarily re-actuating the electric motor in the first direction, for example.

[0073] Referring again to FIG. 27, the firing member 470 may be in a retracted or reset position, however, the closure drive is still in an actuated, or closed, configuration which can prevent the anvil 420 from being re-opened and the end effector 402 from being re-articulated. When the closure drive is released, referring now to FIG. 28, the closure drive carriage 415 can be retracted into a proximal position in which the closure sleeve including portions 426 and 428 are pulled proximally as well. Referring again to FIG. 19, the proximal sleeve portion 428 can include a proximal end 417 which can be engaged with the closure drive carriage 415 such that the proximal sleeve portion 428 and the closure drive carriage 415 move together in the distal direction and/or the proximal direction. In any event, further to the above, the proximal movement of the distal sleeve portion 426 can cause the distal sidewall of the aperture 495 to engage the projection 496 extending from the anvil 420 in order to pivot the anvil 420 into its open position, as illustrated in FIG. 29. Furthermore, the proximal movement of the closure drive carriage 415 can unlock the articulation lock actuator 409 such that the articulation lock actuator 409 can be moved into is proximal, unlocked, position which can, as a result, pull the articulation lock 443 proximally to compress the spring 444 and unlock the end effector 402. As described above, the end effector 402 can be then articulated about the articulation joint 410 and the operation of the surgical instrument 400 described above can be repeated. Referring primarily to FIGS. 18-20, the handle 404 can further comprise a switch 408 mounted to the handle frame 480 which can be configured to detect whether the articulation lock actuator 409 is in its proximal, unlocked, position. In some embodiments, the switch 408 can be operably coupled with an indicator in the handle 404, such as light, for example, which can indicate to the operator of the surgical instrument 400 that the end effector 402 is in an unlocked condition and that the operator may utilize the articulation switch to articulate the end effector 402, for example.

[0074] As described above in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 17, the surgical instrument 400 can comprise an articulation lock system configured to lock and unlock the end effector 402 and a closure drive configured to open and close the anvil 420 of the end effector 402. Although these two systems of the surgical instrument 400 interact in several respects, which are described above, the systems can be actuated independently of one another in other respects. For instance, the articulation lock actuator 409 and the end effector lock 443 can be actuated without closing the anvil 420. In this embodiment of the surgical instrument 400, the closure drive is operated independently to close the anvil 420. Turning now to FIGS. 30-32, the surgical instrument 400 can include an alternate arrangement in which the closure drive is actuated to, one, close the anvil 420 and, two, lock the end effector 402 in position. Referring primarily to FIGS. 31 and 32, the shaft 404 can comprise an articulation lock bar 540 which can be moved between a proximal, unlocked, position (FIG. 31) in which the end effector 402 can be articulated about the articulation joint 410 and a distal, locked, position (FIG. 32) in which the end effector 402 can be locked in position. Similar to the articulation lock bar 440, the articulation lock bar 540 can include a distal end 542 which is operably engaged with the articulation lock 443 such that, when the articulation lock bar 540 is pulled proximally, the articulation lock 443 can be pulled proximally. Similarly, when the articulation lock bar 540 is pushed distally, the articulation lock 443 can be pushed distally as well. In contrast to the articulation lock bar 440 which is pushed distally and pulled proximally by the articulation lock actuator 409, as described above, the articulation lock bar 540 can be pushed distally and pulled proximally by the closure sleeve 428. More particularly, the proximal end 541 of the articulation lock bar 540 can comprise a hook 547 which, when the closure sleeve 428 is pulled proximally, can catch a portion of the closure sleeve 428 and be pulled proximally with the closure sleeve 428. In such circumstances, the sleeve 428 can pull the articulation lock bar 540 into an unlocked condition. As the reader will note, the closure sleeve 428 can include a window 549 within which the proximal end 541 of the articulation lock bar 540 can be positioned. When the closure sleeve 428 is pushed distally, further to the above, a proximal sidewall 548 of the window 549 can contact the proximal end 541 and push the articulation lock bar 540 and the articulation lock 443 distally in order to lock the end effector 402 in position.

[0075] A surgical instrument for treating tissue can comprise a handle including a trigger, a shaft extending from the handle, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably coupled to the shaft by the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a firing member operably coupled with the trigger, wherein the operation of the trigger is configured to advance the firing member toward the end effector, and an articulation member operably coupled with the end effector. The articulation member is selectively engageable with the firing member such that the articulation member is operably engaged with the firing member in an engaged configuration and such that the articulation member is operably disengaged from the firing member in a disengaged configuration, wherein the firing member is configured to advance the articulation member toward the end effector to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint when the articulation member and the firing member are in the engaged configuration. The surgical instrument can further include a biasing member, such as a spring, for example, which can be configured to re-center the end effector and re-align the end effector with the shaft along a longitudinal axis after the end effector has been articulated.

[0076] A surgical instrument for treating tissue can comprise an electric motor, a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably coupled to the shaft by the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a firing drive operably engageable with the electric motor, wherein the firing drive is configured to be advanced toward the end effector and retracted away from the end effector by the electric motor. The surgical instrument can also comprise an articulation drive operably coupled with the end effector, wherein the articulation drive is configured to rotate the end effector in a first direction when the articulation drive is pushed distally toward the end effector, wherein the articulation drive is configured to rotate the end effector in a second direction when the articulation drive is pulled proximally away from the end effector, wherein the firing drive is selectively engageable with the articulation drive and is configured to at least one of push the articulation drive distally toward the end effector and pull the articulation drive away from the end effector when the firing drive is operably engaged with the articulation drive, and wherein the firing drive can operate independently of the articulation drive when the firing drive is operably disengaged from the articulation drive.

[0077] A surgical instrument for treating tissue can comprise a shaft, an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft, and a firing member configured to be moved relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation member operably coupled with the end effector, wherein the articulation member is selectively engageable with the firing member such that the articulation member is operably engaged with the firing member in an engaged configuration and such that the articulation member is operably disengaged from the firing member in a disengaged configuration, and wherein the firing member is configured to move the articulation member relative to the end effector to rotate the end effector when the articulation member and the firing member are in the engaged configuration. The surgical instrument can further comprise an end effector lock configurable in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the end effector lock is configured to operably engage the articulation member with the firing member when the end effector lock is in the unlocked configuration.

[0078] The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed on Apr. 22, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0079] The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

[0080] Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility.

[0081] Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0082] While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.