SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES
A surgical end effector includes a shaft portion, an anvil extending distally from the shaft portion, and a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The surgical end effector also includes an elongate channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, wherein the elongate channel is movable relative to the anvil between an open configuration and a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The surgical end effector further includes a firing member configured to cause the plurality of staples to be deployed into the tissue, wherein the firing member is movable distally to positively transition the elongate channel to a closed configuration, and wherein the firing member is movable proximally to positively transition the elongate channel to the open configuration.
1 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
a shaft portion;
an anvil extending distally from the shaft portion;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;
an elongate channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, wherein the elongate channel is movable relative to the anvil between an open configuration and a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a firing member configured to cause the plurality of staples to be deployed into the tissue, wherein the firing member is movable distally to positively transition the elongate channel to a closed configuration, and wherein the firing member is movable proximally to positively transition the elongate channel to the open configuration.
2 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the anvil is fixedly attached to the shaft portion.
3 . The end effector of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot, wherein the elongate channel is rotatable about the pivot.
4 . The end effector of claim 3 , wherein the elongate channel comprises a channel hook movably coupled to the pivot.
5 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the staple cartridge is removably attached to the elongate channel.
6 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the staple cartridge comprises a stepped deck.
7 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein the firing member comprises a cutting edge.
8 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
a shaft portion;
an anvil extending distally from the shaft portion;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;
an elongate channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, wherein the elongate channel is movable relative to the anvil between an open configuration and a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a firing member movable relative to the elongate channel to cause the plurality of staples to be deployed into the tissue, wherein the firing member is configured to apply a closing force that transitions the elongate channel to the closed configuration, and wherein the firing member is configured to apply an opening force that transitions the elongate channel to the open configuration.
9 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the anvil is fixedly attached to the shaft portion.
10 . The end effector of claim 8 , further comprising a pivot, wherein the elongate channel is rotatable about the pivot.
11 . The end effector of claim 10 , wherein the elongate channel comprises a channel hook movably coupled to the pivot.
12 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the staple cartridge is removably attached to the elongate channel.
13 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the staple cartridge comprises a stepped deck.
14 . The end effector of claim 8 , wherein the firing member comprises a cutting edge.
15 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
a shaft portion;
an anvil extending distally from the shaft portion;
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;
an elongate channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, wherein the elongate channel is movable relative to the anvil between an open configuration and a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge;
an opening cam movably engaged with the elongate channel;
a firing member movable relative to the elongate channel to cause the plurality of staples to be deployed into the tissue; and
a firing bar extending proximally from the firing member, wherein a retraction of the firing bar moves the opening cam to positively open the elongate channel.
16 . The end effector of claim 15 , wherein the anvil is fixedly attached to the shaft portion.
17 . The end effector of claim 15 , further comprising a channel pivot, wherein the elongate channel is rotatable about the channel pivot.
18 . The end effector of claim 17 , wherein the opening cam is positioned proximal to the channel pivot.
19 . The end effector of claim 18 , further comprising a cam pivot, wherein the opening cam is rotatable about the cam pivot.
20 . The end effector of claim 19 , wherein the cam pivot is positioned proximal to the channel pivot.