Firing system lockout arrangements for surgical instruments
Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.
1. A surgical attachment assembly configured to be operably attached to a powered actuator, wherein said surgical attachment assembly comprises:
a tool mounting assembly, comprising:
an attachment portion configured to be operably attached to the powered actuator, wherein said attachment portion comprises:
a first drive system;
a second drive system; and
a first coupler portion, wherein said surgical attachment assembly further comprises:
an end effector attachment assembly configured to be attached to said tool mounting assembly, wherein said end effector attachment assembly comprises:
an end effector; and
a shaft assembly extending proximally from said end effector, wherein said shaft assembly defines a shaft axis and comprises:
a distal articulation joint configured to facilitate articulation of said end effector relative to said shaft assembly;
a first end effector drive system configured to be operably coupled to said first drive system, wherein said first end effector drive system comprises an axially movable portion;
a second end effector drive system configured to be operably coupled to said second drive system, wherein said second end effector drive system comprises a rotary portion that is selectively rotatable about said shaft axis; and
a second coupler portion, wherein said first coupler portion and said second coupler portion are configured to be slidably mated and coupled to each other in a transverse direction relative to each other, wherein said first coupler portion comprises a first cable controlled articulation joint segment, wherein said second coupler portion comprises a second articulation joint segment configured to be operably attached to said first cable controlled joint segment in said transverse direction relative to each other to form a rotatable ball-shaped joint assembly, and wherein said second articulation joint segment is operably coupled to said distal articulation joint.
2. The surgical attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first coupler portion comprises a series of first dovetail coupling portions and said second coupler portion comprises a series of second dovetail coupling portions, and wherein said series of first dovetail coupling portions and said series of second dovetail coupling portions are configured to be slidably mated and coupled to each other in said transverse direction.
3. The surgical attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said tool mounting assembly comprises a tool mounting shaft assembly extending distally therefrom, and wherein said tool mounting shaft assembly comprises a distal end comprising said first coupler portion.
4. The surgical attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said end effector is configured to be articulated in a first plane and a second plane, and wherein said first plane and said second plane are transverse to each other.
5. The surgical attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.