US 11,890,029 B2
Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); John N. Ouwerkerk, Staunton, VA (US); Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Jeffrey S. Swayze, West Chester, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/239,555.
Application 18/239,555 is a continuation of application No. 18/138,484, filed on Apr. 24, 2023.
Application 18/138,484 is a continuation of application No. 17/715,533, filed on Apr. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,660,110, issued on May 30, 2023.
Application 17/715,533 is a continuation of application No. 16/388,234, filed on Apr. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,364,046, issued on Jun. 21, 2022.
Application 16/388,234 is a continuation of application No. 15/093,028, filed on Apr. 7, 2016, granted, now 10,299,817, issued on May 28, 2019.
Application 15/093,028 is a continuation of application No. 13/656,257, filed on Oct. 19, 2012, granted, now 9,370,358, issued on Jun. 21, 2016.
Application 13/656,257 is a continuation of application No. 13/151,501, filed on Jun. 2, 2011, granted, now 8,292,155, issued on Oct. 23, 2012.
Application 13/151,501 is a continuation of application No. 11/344,024, filed on Jan. 31, 2006, granted, now 8,186,555, issued on May 29, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2023/0414239 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/32 (2013.01) [A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 34/76 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
an elongate shaft;
an articulation joint;
an end effector pivotally coupled to said elongate shaft at said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises:
a channel; and
an anvil pivotally coupled to said channel, wherein said anvil is movable relative to said channel between an open position and a closed position;
a staple cartridge replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck, comprising:
a first anvil-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple cavities defined therein; and
a second anvil-facing surface stepped relative to said first anvil-facing surface;
a plurality of staples movably positioned in said plurality of staple cavities;
a sled assembly, comprising:
a plurality of distal-facing camming ramps; and
a knife; and
a pan attached to said cartridge body, wherein said pan comprises:
a first lateral sidewall comprising a first plurality of windows;
a second lateral sidewall comprising a second plurality of windows; and
a base extending between said first lateral sidewall and said second lateral sidewall, wherein said base comprises a pan slot defined therein;
a drive screw extending longitudinally within said channel, wherein said drive screw comprises a distal end; and
a bearing, wherein said distal end of said drive screw is received by said bearing, wherein said bearing permits said drive screw to freely rotate with respect to said channel, and wherein a rotation of said drive screw in a first direction causes said sled assembly to translate distally through said channel.