A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a stapling assembly of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes at least one rail extending upwardly from the base. The at least one rail includes at least one rail cam surface, and the rail cam surface is inclined relative to the plane. The staple driver actuator further includes a first surface texture on a first portion of the staple driver actuator, and a second surface texture on a second portion of the staple driver actuator. The second surface texture is smoother than the first surface texture.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

A cartridge assembly includes a channel member defining a cavity, and a staple cartridge including a cartridge body. A plurality of pushers disposed within the cartridge body, such that each pusher includes a staple supporting surface that defines a first concavity and a second concavity that are separated by a central radiused convexity. Each staple of a plurality of staples is received within one retaining slot of a plurality of retaining slots. Each staple of the plurality of staples includes a back span, wherein the shape of each staple of the plurality staples corresponds to the shape of the staple supporting surface of each of the plurality of pushers. An actuation sled can be moved within the cartridge body, into sequential engagement with the plurality of pushers to urge the plurality of staples through the plurality of retaining slots.

A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The staple driver actuator also includes a plurality of rails extending upwardly from the base. Each of the plurality of rails includes at least one cam surface, and each of the cam surfaces is inclined relative to the plane. The plurality of rails includes a laterally-opposed pair of outer rails and a laterally-opposed pair of inner rails. The staple driver actuator further includes a distal nose extending distally from at least a portion of the base and having at least one ledge surface. The ledge surface faces upwardly, is parallel to the plane, and is at least partially positioned distally relative to each of the outer and inner rails.

A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

A surgical stapling instrument comprising a cartridge jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge, an anvil jaw, and a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke is disclosed. The anvil jaw comprises a stop extending into the cartridge jaw which prevents the staple cartridge from contacting the firing member when the staple cartridge is inserted into the cartridge jaw.

A surgical stapling instrument comprising a tissue cutting knife movable through a staple cartridge to perform a staple firing stroke is disclosed. The stapling instrument further comprises a lockout system configured to prevent the tissue cutting knife from being moved through the staple firing stroke if the staple cartridge is missing from the stapling instrument and/or if the staple cartridge has been previously fired. The lockout system comprises a flexible spring that acts on the bottom of the tissue cutting knife at the initiation of the staple firing stroke to push the tissue cutting knife into a lockout recess if the staple cartridge is missing or has been previously fired.