A surgical stapling instrument includes an elongate body portion defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector supported on a distal portion of the elongated body portion. The end effector includes a housing having a base portion and a jaw portion, an anvil assembly supported on the jaw portion, and a cartridge assembly releasably supported on the base portion. A tissue guide member is operably secured relative to the cartridge assembly to facilitate alignment of the cartridge assembly through a firing stroke.

A surgical stapling instrument includes an elongate body portion defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector supported on a distal portion of the elongated body portion. The end effector includes a housing having a base portion and a jaw portion, an anvil assembly supported on the jaw portion, and a cartridge assembly releasably supported on the base portion. A tissue guide member is operably secured relative to the cartridge assembly to facilitate alignment of the cartridge assembly through a firing stroke.

A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly and having a first jaw with an anvil and a second jaw operable to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue, and a cartridge inserted into the second jaw. The cartridge includes staples, a movable member translatable distally during a firing stroke to discharge the staples into tissue, a first sensor assembly configured to monitor a first condition of the cartridge, and a second sensor assembly configured to monitor a second condition of the cartridge. A first processor is coupled with the first and second sensor assemblies and is configured to receive first and second signals from the sensor assemblies, respectively, where each signal is indicative of the respective condition of the cartridge. The first processor is configured to selectively permit or restrict the firing stroke based upon the signals.

A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly and having a first jaw with an anvil and a second jaw operable to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue, and a cartridge inserted into the second jaw. The cartridge includes staples, a movable member translatable distally during a firing stroke to discharge the staples into tissue, a first sensor assembly configured to monitor a first condition of the cartridge, and a second sensor assembly configured to monitor a second condition of the cartridge. A first processor is coupled with the first and second sensor assemblies and is configured to receive first and second signals from the sensor assemblies, respectively, where each signal is indicative of the respective condition of the cartridge. The first processor is configured to selectively permit or restrict the firing stroke based upon the signals.

A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.

A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.

A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw having an anvil, and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a stapling assembly supported by the second jaw and including a plurality of staples, a staple actuator, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly includes a laterally-opposed pair of distal drivers that receive respective staples, a proximal driver that receives a respective staple, and a cam surface. The staple actuator is configured to engage the cam surface during distal translation of the staple actuator to drive the respective staples into contact with the anvil. The staple actuator and the cam surface are configured such that, when the respective staples contact the anvil, the engagement between the staple actuator and the cam surface is centered at a location along the cam surface distal of a centroid of the first driver assembly.

A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw having an anvil, and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a stapling assembly supported by the second jaw and including a plurality of staples, a staple actuator, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly includes a laterally-opposed pair of distal drivers that receive respective staples, a proximal driver that receives a respective staple, and a cam surface. The staple actuator is configured to engage the cam surface during distal translation of the staple actuator to drive the respective staples into contact with the anvil. The staple actuator and the cam surface are configured such that, when the respective staples contact the anvil, the engagement between the staple actuator and the cam surface is centered at a location along the cam surface distal of a centroid of the first driver assembly.

A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, an actuation assembly, and a bailout mechanism. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is disposed on a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The actuation assembly includes a pusher member configured to move relative to the end effector to drive movement of the first jaw, the second jaw, or both the first jaw and the second jaw. The bailout mechanism includes a first elongate actuation element and a second elongate actuation element. A portion of the bailout mechanism is configured to selectively apply tension to the first elongate actuation element and the second elongate actuation element to move the pusher member. The first elongate actuation element is stronger in tension than the second elongate actuation element cable.

A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, an actuation assembly, and a bailout mechanism. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is disposed on a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The actuation assembly includes a pusher member configured to move relative to the end effector to drive movement of the first jaw, the second jaw, or both the first jaw and the second jaw. The bailout mechanism includes a first elongate actuation element and a second elongate actuation element. A portion of the bailout mechanism is configured to selectively apply tension to the first elongate actuation element and the second elongate actuation element to move the pusher member. The first elongate actuation element is stronger in tension than the second elongate actuation element cable.