Surgical instrument assembly including an end effector configurable in different positions
A surgical instrument assembly comprising a handle, a shaft, and an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first iaw comprising a tissue-supporting surface defining a plurality of staple cavities defined therein, a second iaw movable relative to the first jaw, a proximal pin coupling the first and second jaws, a first slot configured to receive the proximal pin, a distal pin coupling the jaw and second jaws, and a second slot configured to receive the distal pin. The proximal pin is movable vertically within the first slot. The distal pin is actuatable within the second slot between a first position where the second jaw is in an open position, a second position where the second jaw is in a clamped position, and a third position where the second jaw is in a fully closed position and the second iaw is in contact with the tissue-supporting surface.
1. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
a handle, comprising:
a first trigger; and
a second trigger;
a shaft extending from said handle; and
an end effector extending from said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
a first drive member configured to be actuated by said first trigger;
a second drive member configured to be actuated by said second trigger;
a first jaw comprising a tissue-supporting surface defining a plurality of staple cavities defined therein;
a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;
a first pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said first pin defines a first pin axis;
a first slot configured to receive said first pin, wherein said second jaw is movable about said first pin axis;
a second pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw; and
a second slot configured to receive said second pin, wherein said second pin is movable within said second slot between:
a first position where said second jaw is in an open position, wherein a first distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said open position;
a second position where said second jaw is in a clamped position, wherein a second distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said clamped position; and
a third position where said second jaw is in a fully closed position and said second jaw is in contact with said tissue-supporting surface, wherein a third distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said fully closed position, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance, wherein said second distance is greater than said third distance, and wherein said first position, said second position, and said third position are different.
2. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said end effector further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.
3. A surgical end effector assembly, comprising:
a shaft; and
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw comprising a tissue-supporting surface defining a plurality of staple cavities defined therein;
a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;
a proximal pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said proximal pin defines a proximal pin axis;
a first slot configured to receive said proximal pin, wherein said second jaw is movable about said proximal pin axis;
a distal pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw; and
a second slot configured to receive said distal pin, wherein said distal pin is actuatable within said second slot between:
a first position where said second jaw is in an open position, wherein a first vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said open position;
a second position where said second jaw is in a clamped position, wherein a second vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said clamped position; and
a third position where said second jaw is in a fully closed position and said second jaw is in contact with said tissue-supporting surface, wherein a third vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said fully closed position, wherein said first vertical distance is greater than said second vertical distance, wherein said second vertical distance is greater than said third vertical distance, and wherein said first position, said second position, and said third position are different.
4. The surgical end effector assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.
5. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
a handle;
a shaft extending from said handle; and
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw comprising a tissue-supporting surface defining a plurality of staple cavities defined therein;
a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;
a proximal pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said proximal pin defines a proximal pin axis;
a first slot configured to receive said proximal pin, wherein said second jaw is movable about said proximal pin axis, and wherein said proximal pin is movable vertically within said first slot;
a distal pin coupling said first jaw and said second jaw; and
a second slot configured to receive said distal pin, wherein said distal pin is actuatable within said second slot between:
a first position where said second jaw is in an open position, wherein a first vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said open position;
a second position where said second jaw is in a clamped position, wherein a second vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said clamped position; and
a third position where said second jaw is in a fully closed position and said second jaw is in contact with said tissue-supporting surface, wherein a third vertical distance is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said second jaw is in said fully closed position, wherein said first vertical distance is greater than said second vertical distance, wherein said second vertical distance is greater than said third vertical distance, and wherein said first position, said second position, and said third position are different.
6. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 5 , wherein said end effector further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.