ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED END EFFECTOR

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . A surgical end effector, comprising:

a first jaw, comprising:

a proximal jaw end;

a distal jaw end; and

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said second jaw is rotatable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil is configured to deform said staples when said staples are driven from said staple cartridge;

a rotatable shaft, comprising:

a threaded shaft portion; and

a distal shaft end;

a movable member threadably engaged with said threaded shaft portion, wherein said rotatable shaft is configured to drive said movable member toward said distal jaw end when said rotatable shaft is rotated in a drive direction to drive said staples from said staple cartridge; and

a distal bearing positioned in said distal jaw end, wherein said distal bearing rotatably supports said distal shaft end.

19 . The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein said distal shaft end extends distally from said threaded shaft portion.

20 . The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein said movable member comprises a knife configured to transect tissue clamped within said surgical end effector.

21 . The surgical end effector of claim 20 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein said knife is configured to move relative to said longitudinal slot.

22 . The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein rotatable shaft is configured to move said movable member toward said proximal jaw end when said rotatable shaft is rotated in a reverse direction.

23 . The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein said staple cartridge is removably seated in said first jaw.

24 . A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a shaft;

a first jaw extending from said shaft, wherein said first jaw comprises:

a proximal jaw end; and

a distal jaw end;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said second jaw is rotatable relative to said first jaw toward a closed position, and wherein said anvil is configured to deform said staples when said staples are driven from said staple cartridge;

a drive screw, comprising:

a threaded portion; and

a distal support end;

a movable member threadably engaged with said threaded shaft portion, wherein said drive screw is configured to drive said movable member toward said distal jaw end when said drive screw is rotated in a drive direction to drive said staples from said staple cartridge; and

a distal bearing positioned at said distal jaw end, wherein said distal bearing supports said distal support end.

25 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , wherein said distal support end extends distally from said threaded portion.

26 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , wherein said movable member comprises a knife configured to transect tissue clamped between said first jaw and said second jaw.

27 . The surgical stapling system of claim 26 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein said knife is configured to move relative to said longitudinal slot.

28 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , wherein said drive screw is configured to move said movable member toward said proximal jaw end when said drive screw is rotated in a reverse direction.

29 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , wherein said staple cartridge is removably seated in said first jaw.

30 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , further comprising a housing, wherein said shaft extends from said housing.

31 . A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a shaft;

a first jaw extending from said shaft, wherein said first jaw comprises:

a proximal jaw end; and

a distal jaw end;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

a second jaw rotatable relative to said first jaw toward a closed position;

an anvil, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said staples when said staples are driven from said staple cartridge;

a drive screw, comprising:

a threaded portion; and

a distal support end;

a cutting implement comprising a threaded opening threadably engaged with said threaded shaft portion, wherein said drive screw is configured to drive said cutting implement toward said distal jaw end when said drive screw is rotated in a drive direction to drive said staples from said staple cartridge; and

a distal bearing, wherein said distal bearing supports said distal support end.

32 . The surgical stapling system of claim 31 , wherein said distal support end extends distally from said threaded portion.

33 . The surgical stapling system of claim 31 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein said cutting implement is configured to move relative to said longitudinal slot.

34 . The surgical stapling system of claim 31 , wherein said drive screw is configured to move said cutting implement toward said proximal jaw end when said drive screw is rotated in a reverse direction.

35 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , wherein said staple cartridge is removably seated in said first jaw.

36 . The surgical stapling system of claim 24 , further comprising a housing, wherein said shaft extends from said housing.