Surgical end effectors and firing members thereof
Surgical end effectors are disclosed. The surgical end effectors can include a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a closure surface and an opening surface. The surgical end effectors can also include a pivot joint, wherein the second jaw is configured to pivot relative to the first jaw at the pivot joint, wherein the closure surface is positioned distal of the pivot joint, and the opening surface is positioned proximal to the pivot joint. The surgical end effectors can also include a firing member configured to move distally during a firing stroke, wherein the firing member comprises a first flange and a second flange. The second flange can be configured to engage the closure surface to pivot the second jaw toward a closed position, and the second flange can be configured to engage the opening surface to pivot the second jaw toward an open position.
1. A surgical end effector, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw comprising a closure surface and an opening surface;
a pivot joint, wherein said second jaw is configured to pivot relative to said first jaw at said pivot joint, wherein said closure surface is positioned distal to said pivot joint and wherein said opening surface is positioned proximal to said pivot joint; and
a firing member configured to move distally during a firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first flange positioned to engage said first jaw; and
a second flange positioned to engage said second jaw, wherein said second flange is configured to engage said closure surface to pivot said second jaw toward a closed position, and wherein said second flange is configured to engage said opening surface to pivot said second jaw toward an open position.
2. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , wherein said firing member is movable distally from a home position to pivot said second jaw toward the closed position, and wherein said firing member is movable proximally from the home position to pivot said second jaw toward the open position.
3. The surgical end effector of claim 2 , wherein said second jaw comprises an intermediate surface between said closure surface and said opening surface, and wherein said second flange is spaced apart from said intermediate surface when said firing member is in the home position.
4. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , wherein said firing member further comprises a knife intermediate said first flange and said second flange.
5. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , wherein said first jaw is configured to receive a staple cartridge.
6. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , wherein said second jaw comprises a staple-forming anvil.
7. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , wherein said first jaw comprises a first passageway for said first flange, and wherein said second jaw comprises a second passageway for said second flange.
8. The surgical end effector of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to bias said second jaw toward the open position when said firing member is proximal to a home position.
9. A surgical end effector, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw comprising a closure surface and an opening surface;
a pivot joint, wherein said second jaw is configured to pivot relative to said first jaw at said pivot joint; and
a firing member configured to move distally from a home position during a firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first flange positioned to engage said first jaw; and
a second flange positioned to engage said second jaw, wherein said second flange is configured to engage said closure surface when said firing member is moved distally from the home position, and wherein said second flange is configured to engage said opening surface when said firing member is moved proximally from said home position.
10. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said second flange is configured to engage said closure surface to pivot said second jaw toward a closed position, and wherein said second flange is configured to engage said opening surface to pivot said second jaw toward an open position.
11. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said second jaw comprises an intermediate surface between said closure surface and said opening surface, and wherein said second flange is spaced apart from said intermediate surface when said firing member is in the home position.
12. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said firing member further comprises a knife intermediate said first flange and said second flange.
13. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said first jaw is configured to receive a staple cartridge.
14. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said second jaw comprises an anvil.
15. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , wherein said first jaw comprises a first passageway for said first flange, and wherein said second jaw comprises a second passageway for said second flange.
16. The surgical end effector of claim 9 , further comprising a spring configured to bias said second jaw away from said first jaw when said firing member is in the home position.
17. A surgical end effector, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw comprising a first camming means and a second camming means;
a pivot joint, wherein said second jaw is configured to pivot relative to said first jaw at said pivot joint; and
a firing member configured to move distally from a home position during a firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first flange positioned to engage said first jaw; and
a second flange positioned to engage said second jaw, wherein said second flange is configured to engage said first camming means when said firing member is moved distally from the home position, and wherein said second flange is configured to engage said second camming means when said firing member is moved proximally from said home position.
18. The surgical end effector of claim 17 , wherein said first camming means is configured to cam said second jaw toward a closed position, and wherein said second camming means is configured to cam said second jaw toward an open position.
19. The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein said first camming means comprises a distal closure ramp extending upward from an intermediate surface into a passageway in said second jaw, and wherein said second camming means comprises a proximal closure surface extending upward from the intermediate surface.
20. The surgical end effector of claim 18 , wherein the home position comprises a range of positions.