MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

摘要

A surgical instrument equipped with a coupler arrangement for coupling end effectors to an elongated shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. The end effectors may include a pair of jaws in the form of a carrier supporting a surgical staple cartridge and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the carrier in opening and closing directions. The end effector may include an articulation joint that facilitates pivotal travel of the carrier and anvil as a unit relative to the elongated shaft assembly in the same directions in which the anvil is opened and closed relative to the carrier.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal tool axis, the elongated shaft assembly comprising:
a proximal firing member operably interfacing with a firing system for receiving firing and retraction motions therefrom;a proximal articulation assembly operably interfacing with an articulation system for receiving articulation motions therefrom and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises:a surgical end effector comprising:
first and second end effector portions wherein the second end effector portion is selectively movable relative to the first end effector portion in a first direction upon application of an opening motion to the second end effector portion, the second end effector portion being further selectively movable in a second direction upon application of a closing motion to the second end effector portion;an articulation joint configured to selectively articulate the first end effector portion about an articulation axis in the first and second directions relative to the longitudinal tool axis;an articulation link assembly operably interfacing with the articulation joint for applying the articulation motions to the articulation joint;a drive assembly supported for operable movement within the surgical end effector upon application of the firing and retraction motions thereto, the drive assembly configured to apply the opening and closing motions to the second end effector portion and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises:means for simultaneously coupling:
a distal end of the first end effector portion to the elongated shaft assembly;the articulation link to the articulation assembly; andthe drive assembly to the proximal firing member.