Stapling system including an articulation system
View Patent ↗A stapling system comprising an end effector, a staple cartridge, a rigid shaft, an articulation joint, an articulation system, a clamping member, and a firing system comprising a sled movable within the staple cartridge to eject staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke, an electric motor, and a firing actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The clamping member is configured to rotate the second iaw into the clamped position. The stapling system further comprises a system responsive to the clamping of the second iaw which enables the staple firing stroke to be performed after the second jaw has been rotated into the clamped position, and a system configured to maintain an orientation of the end effector about the articulation joint during the staple firing stroke.
1. A stapling system, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw is rotatable relative to said first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a rigid shaft;
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation joint;
an articulation system configured to rotate said end effector relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation joint;
a clamping member configured to rotate said second jaw into said clamped position;
a firing system, comprising:
a sled movable within said staple cartridge to eject said staples from said staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke;
an electric motor operable to advance said sled relative to said staple cartridge to perform said staple firing stroke; and
a firing actuator configured to electronically actuate said electric motor;
a system responsive to the clamping of said second jaw which enables said staple firing stroke to be performed after said second jaw has been rotated into said clamped position; and
a system configured to maintain an orientation of said end effector about said articulation joint during said staple firing stroke.
2. The stapling system of claim 1 , further comprising a channel, wherein said staple cartridge is positioned in said channel.
3. The stapling system of claim 2 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said channel and replaceable with another staple cartridge.
4. A stapling system, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw is rotatable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a rigid shaft;
an articulation pivot, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation pivot;
an articulation system configured to rotate said end effector relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation pivot;
a closure member configured to rotate said second jaw into said closed position;
a firing system, comprising:
a sled movable within said staple cartridge to eject said staples from said staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke;
an electric motor operable to advance said sled relative to said staple cartridge to perform said staple firing stroke; and
a firing actuator configured to electronically actuate said electric motor;
a system responsive to the closure of said second jaw which enables said staple firing stroke to be performed after said second jaw has been rotated into said closed position; and
a system configured to maintain a position of said end effector about said articulation pivot during said staple firing stroke.
5. The stapling system of claim 4 , further comprising a channel, wherein said staple cartridge is positioned in said channel.
6. The stapling system of claim 5 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said channel and replaceable with another staple cartridge.
7. A stapling system, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw is rotatable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a rigid shaft;
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation joint;
an articulation system configured to rotate said end effector relative to said rigid shaft about said articulation joint;
a closure member configured to rotate said second jaw into said closed position;
a firing system, comprising:
a sled movable within said staple cartridge to eject said staples from said staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke;
an electric motor operable to advance said sled relative to said staple cartridge to perform said staple firing stroke; and
a firing actuator configured to electronically actuate said electric motor;
a system responsive to the closure of said second jaw which enables said staple firing stroke to be performed only when said second jaw is in said closed position; and
a system configured to maintain an orientation of said end effector about said articulation joint during said staple firing stroke.
8. The stapling system of claim 7 , further comprising a channel, wherein said staple cartridge is positioned in said channel.
9. The stapling system of claim 8 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said channel and replaceable with another staple cartridge.