SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS

摘要

A surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector that is coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint. A flexible firing beam extends through the articulation joint to interface with a firing member in the surgical end effector to apply a firing motion thereto. In at least one form, the surgical instrument further includes a movable firing beam support assembly that is configured to movably contact the firing beam on each lateral side thereof as the firing beam flexes about the articulation joint.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument comprising:
a surgical end effector comprising:
first and second jaw members wherein application of a closure motion to at least one of said first and second jaw members results in the movement of said at least one of said first and second jaw members to a closed position relative to the other of said first and second jaw members; anda firing member operably supported in one of said first and second jaw members for axial travel therein in respond to an application of a firing motion thereto and wherein said surgical instrument further comprises: a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis; an articulation joint coupling said surgical end effector to said shaft assembly for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to said shaft axis upon application of articulation motions to said surgical end effector; a flexible firing beam extending through said articulation joint to interface with said firing member in said surgical end effector to apply said firing motion thereto; and a movable firing beam support assembly configured to movably contact said firing beam on each lateral side thereof as said firing beam flexes about said articulation joint.