[Problem] To rationalize production steps for a medical stapler. [Solution] An anvil (A): that forms a medical staple (3) supported in conjunction with a ram (5) in a medical stapler; sutures biological tissue; has dimensions corresponding to the formed peak section in the staple (3) after forming; and has a support section (11) that supports the crown (3b) of the staple (3), and a chamfered corner section (12) formed along both end sections in a direction along the crown (3b) of the staple (3) in the support section (11), which comes in contact with the crown (3b) when the supported staple (3) is formed and regulates a curved section thereof. The chamfered corner section (12) is cured by plastic working and formed.

A method for operating a surgical stapling device that includes a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating is disclosed. The method includes installing a retainer on a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The method includes seating the cartridge assembly in the surgical stapling device to bring an authentication key on the retainer into actuation contact with the lockout to move the lockout out of a locked position to an unlocked position. The method further includes removing the retainer from the staple cartridge while retaining the lockout in the unlocked position.

A method for operating a surgical instrument. The method includes linking a second drive member to a first drive member such that the second drive member moves with the first drive member. The method further includes applying first control motions to the first drive member to cause the second drive member to apply actuation motions to a surgical end effector. The method also includes discontinuing application of the first control motions to the first drive member and de-linking the second drive member from the first drive member such that the second drive member is locked in place by a locking system. The method also includes re-applying control motions to the first drive member.

A method for operating a surgical stapling device that includes a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating is disclosed. The method includes installing a retainer on a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The method includes seating the cartridge assembly in the surgical stapling device to bring an authentication key on the retainer into actuation contact with the lockout to move the lockout out of a locked position to an unlocked position. The method further includes removing the retainer from the staple cartridge while retaining the lockout in the unlocked position.

A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be removably coupled to the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer further comprises an authentication key that is oriented in a first configuration to defeat a lockout in the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device. The authentication key is movable to a second configuration after the cartridge assembly is removed from the stapling device such that the authentication key is unable to return to the first configuration.

A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first jaw lockout of the stapling device that is configured to prevent the jaws of the stapling device from closing. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent a firing member of the stapling device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in one of the jaws.

A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes an authentication ramp that extends from a proximal end of the cartridge body and defines a ramp axis that is transverse to an axis of the cartridge. The authentication ramp is aligned with a sled cavity in the cartridge and comprises first and second cam surfaces that are configured to move a lockout of the surgical stapling device in a direction away from the cartridge axis upon contact therewith when the staple cartridge is seated into the surgical stapling device.

A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The stapling device includes a lockout for prevent operation of the device. The staple cartridge includes a first cam surface configured to move the lockout from a locked position to an intermediate position when the staple cartridge is initially inserted into the device. The staple cartridge further includes a second cam surface configured to move the lockout from the intermediate position to an unlocked position when the staple cartridge is operably seated in the device. The first cam surface is proximal to the second cam surface and may be vertically displaced therefrom.

A stapling system for use with a robotic surgical system is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a housing removably attachable to the robotic system, a plurality of rotatable inputs rotatably supported in the housing, and an end effector comprising first and second jaws. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. A tissue gap is defined between the first jaw and second jaws when the first jaw is in the closed position. The stapling system further comprises a pre-clamping member, a dynamic clamping member, a first rotary drive, and a second rotary drive. The first rotary drive is coupled to the pre-clamping member and is actuable to move the first jaw into the closed position and move the first jaw into the open position. The second rotary drive is coupled to the dynamic clamping member.

A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.