Surgical instrument system including replaceable end effectors
A surgical stapling instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, an end effector, a first articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated in a first plane, a second articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated in a second plane, and a staple firing drive is disclosed. The end effector comprises a distal end, a proximal end, a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first iaw, and a staple cartridge. The staple firing drive comprises a firing member and a flexible drive tube extending through the first articulation joint and the second articulation joint. The firing member comprises a first cam, a second cam, and a round attachment aperture. The flexible drive tube comprises a longitudinal length, an outer circumference, a distal end seated in the round attachment aperture, and interlocking cuts in the outer circumference extending longitudinally and circumferentially.
1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
a housing;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector, comprising:
a distal end;
a proximal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw rotatable relative to said first jaw; and
a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein;
a first articulation joint configured to permit said end effector to be articulated in a first plane; and
a second articulation joint configured to permit said end effector to be articulated in a second plane, wherein said first plane and said second plane are separated by 90 degrees;
a staple firing drive, comprising:
a firing member, comprising:
a first cam configured to engage said first jaw during a staple firing stroke;
a second cam configured to engage said second jaw during said staple firing stroke; and
a round attachment aperture; and
a flexible drive tube extending through said first articulation joint and said second articulation joint, wherein said flexible drive tube comprises:
a longitudinal length;
an outer circumference;
a distal end seated in said round attachment aperture; and
interlocking cuts in said outer circumference extending longitudinally and circumferentially.
2. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1 , wherein said interlocking cuts have been cut by a laser.
3. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1 , wherein said shaft defines a central longitudinal path, wherein said distal end of said flexible drive tube is aligned with said central longitudinal path.
4. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
a housing;
an end effector, comprising:
a distal end;
a proximal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw rotatable relative to said first jaw; and
a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein;
a shaft extending from said housing, wherein said shaft comprises an articulation region, wherein said articulation region is configured to be articulated in a first plane and a second plane, and wherein said first plane and said second plane are separated by 90 degrees;
a staple firing drive, comprising:
a firing member, comprising:
a first cam configured to engage said first jaw during a staple firing stroke;
a second cam configured to engage said second jaw during said staple firing stroke; and
a round attachment aperture; and
a flexible drive tube extending through said articulation region, wherein said flexible drive tube comprises:
a longitudinal length;
an outer circumference;
a distal end seated in said round attachment aperture; and
interlocking sections defined by cuts in said outer circumference extending longitudinally and circumferentially.
5. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 4 , wherein said cuts have been cut by a laser.
6. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 4 , wherein said shaft defines a central longitudinal path, wherein said distal end of said flexible drive tube is aligned with said central longitudinal path.