Patent Publication Number: US-11039834-B2

Title: Surgical stapler anvils with staple directing protrusions and tissue stability features

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a powered surgical stapling system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of portions of a handle assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another partial exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another partial perspective view of an end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 2  with jaws thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of a portion of the end effector and interchangeable shaft assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a distal closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the distal closure member embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 7 , with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a fully open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 10 , taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 11 , with the anvil and closure member in a closed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the anvil and closure member of  FIG. 12 , taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of  FIG. 13 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an “over-closed” position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 14  taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of another end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 16 , with the anvil and a closure member thereof in a fully open position; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 17 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 19 , taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 19 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 21 , taken along line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an end view of another distal closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 24 , taken along line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevational view of the end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 24 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 26 , taken along line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a side elevational view of the end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 24 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 28 , taken along line  29 - 29  in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an end view of another closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 31  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 32  is another side elevational view of the end effector of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 31 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an “over-closed” position; 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 31 , with the anvil in the closed position; 
         FIG. 34  is another enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 32 , with the anvil in the over-closed position; 
         FIG. 35  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 36  is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 35 , with the anvil in the closed position; 
         FIG. 37  is another side elevational view of the end effector of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 35 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 38  is another enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 37 , with the anvil in the over-closed position; 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of a previous surgical staple cartridge configured to form flexible lines of surgical staples; 
         FIG. 40  is a top view of lines of surgical staples formed in tissue by the surgical staple cartridge of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a side elevational view of a previous surgical staple embodiment; 
         FIG. 42  is a side elevational view of another previous surgical staple embodiment; 
         FIG. 43  is a bottom perspective view of an anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 44  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 45  is an enlarged top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of the anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a forming pocket of the anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a bottom perspective view of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 48  is an enlarged top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of the anvil of  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a forming pocket of the anvil of  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 51  is a top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 52  is a top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 53  is a top view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 54  is a top view of a staple-forming pocket embodiment; 
         FIG. 55  is a top view of another staple-forming pocket embodiment; 
         FIG. 56  is a top view of another staple-forming pocket embodiment; 
         FIG. 57  is a top view of another staple-forming pocket embodiment; 
         FIG. 58  is a perspective view of a portion of an a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment; and 
         FIG. 60  is a perspective view of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of another anvil embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Aug. 20, 2018 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101, entitled METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054323; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,183, entitled REINFORCED DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054327; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,098, entitled FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054322; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,122, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE MEMBERS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054324; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 116/105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054325; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054320; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054321; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054328; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104, entitled POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054329; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119, entitled ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054330; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160, entitled SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0054331; and 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29,660,252, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications and U.S. Patents that are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168642; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168649; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,221, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-01686; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168645; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168644; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168651. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168629; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941, entitled SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168630; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168631; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950, entitled SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168635; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,945, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168632; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168633; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168636; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953, entitled METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168637; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954, entitled FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168638; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168639; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168584; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168640; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168641; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,947, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168634; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896, entitled METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168597; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168599; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168600; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,901, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168602; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168603; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904, entitled STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168605; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168606; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168608; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168609; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168610; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,920, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168620; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,913, entitled ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168614; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914, entitled METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168615; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,893, entitled BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168594; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168626; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,911, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168612; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168625; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,917, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168617; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168601; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931, entitled NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168627; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,915, entitled FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168616; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168598; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168622; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168624; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,910, entitled ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168611; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, entitled CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168604; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906, entitled FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168607; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168585; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,192, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168643; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,206, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168586; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226, entitled DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168648; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168647; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236, entitled CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168650; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887, entitled METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168589; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168590; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168591; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168592; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168593; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168595; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168596; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,916, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168575; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,918, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168618; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,919, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168619; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168621; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168623; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925, entitled JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168576; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926, entitled AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168577; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168578; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168579; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168628; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168580; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934, entitled ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168581; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,935, entitled LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168582; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168583; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,996, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297228; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,006, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES, Now U.S. Pat. No. 10,010,324; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,991, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,833,241; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,004, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,369; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,008, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297232; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,997, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297229; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,002, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,877,721; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,013, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297233; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,016, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297235. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,834, entitled STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,218, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,227, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,259, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE; and 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,264, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,326, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,210, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,336, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Dec. 31, 2015 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,488, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,525, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Feb. 9, 2016 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Feb. 12, 2016 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,254, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,259, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,275, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256184; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/02561185; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256154; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256071; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256153; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256187; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256186; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256155; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256163; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256160; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256162; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256161. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249919; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249915; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249910; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249918; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249916; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249908; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249909; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249945; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249927; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249917. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174977; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174969; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174978; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174976; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174972; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174983; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174975; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174973; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174970; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174971. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246472; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0249557; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,358,003; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246478; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,767; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,438; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,398,911; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,986. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263542; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,987; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263564; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263538; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263554; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263565; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,726; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,727; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0277017. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent application that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263539. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272582; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272581; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272580; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272574; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272579; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272569; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272571; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272578; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272570; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272572; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272557; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0277471; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0280424; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272583; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0280384. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066912; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066914; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066910; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR′S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066909; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066915; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066911; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066916; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066913. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305987; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305989; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305988; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309666; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305991; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305994; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309665; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305990; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR; 
     U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL; and 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. 
     The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute. 
     Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient&#39;s body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced. 
     A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint. 
     The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may be possible. 
     The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient members configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil. 
     Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam which engages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the ramped surfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife. 
       FIGS. 1 and 3  depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument  1010  that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument  1010  includes a previous housing  1012  that comprises a handle  1014  that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by the clinician. The housing  1012  is configured for operable attachment to an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  that has a surgical end effector  1300  operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, it will be understood that the various forms of interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may also be effectively employed in connection with robotically-controlled surgical systems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing or similar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drive system that is configured to generate and apply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. In addition, various components may be “housed” or contained in the housing or various components may be “associated with” a housing. In such instances, the components may not be contained with the housing or supported directly by the housing. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term “frame” may also represent a portion of a robotically controlled surgical instrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may be used to operably control a surgical instrument. For example, the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various robotic systems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The previous housing  1012  depicted in  FIG. 1  is shown in connection with an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  ( FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 ) that includes an end effector  1300  that comprises a surgical cutting and fastening device that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  4000  therein. The housing  1012  may be configured for use in connection with interchangeable shaft assemblies that include end effectors that are adapted to support different sizes and types of staple cartridges, have different shaft lengths, sizes, and types, etc. In addition, the housing  1012  may also be effectively employed with a variety of other interchangeable shaft assemblies including those assemblies that are configured to apply other motions and forms of energy such as, for example, radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonic energy and/or motion to end effector arrangements adapted for use in connection with various surgical applications and procedures. Furthermore, the end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles, surgical instruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize any suitable fastener, or fasteners, to fasten tissue. For instance, a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein can be removably inserted into and/or attached to the end effector of a shaft assembly. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the surgical instrument  1010  that includes an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  operably coupled to the housing  1012 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  detached from the housing  1012  or handle  1014 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the handle  1014  may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments  1016  and  1018  that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments  1016 ,  1018  cooperate to form a pistol grip portion  1019  that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As will be discussed in further detail below, the handle  1014  operably supports a plurality of drive systems therein that are configured to generate and apply various control motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the handle  1014  may further include a frame  1020  that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame  1020  can operably support a “first” or closure drive system, generally designated as  1030 , which may be employed to apply closing and opening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  that is operably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closure drive system  1030  may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger  1032  that is pivotally supported by the frame  1020 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the closure trigger  1032  is pivotally coupled to the housing  1014  by a pin  1033 . Such arrangement enables the closure trigger  1032  to be manipulated by a clinician such that when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 , the closure trigger  1032  may be easily pivoted from a starting or “unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly to a fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger  1032  may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasing arrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system  1030  further includes a closure linkage assembly  1034  that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  1032 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the closure linkage assembly  1034  may include a first closure link  1036  and a second closure link  1038  that are pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  1032  by a pin  1035 . The second closure link  1038  may also be referred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverse attachment pin  1037 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , it can be observed that the first closure link  1036  may have a locking wall or end  1039  thereon that is configured to cooperate with a closure release assembly  1060  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  1020 . In at least one form, the closure release assembly  1060  may comprise a release button assembly  1062  that has a distally protruding locking pawl  1064  formed thereon. The release button assembly  1062  may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by a release spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  1032  from its unactuated position towards the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 , the first closure link  1036  pivots upward to a point wherein the locking pawl  1064  drops into retaining engagement with the locking wall  1039  on the first closure link  1036  thereby preventing the closure trigger  1032  from returning to the unactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly  1060  serves to lock the closure trigger  1032  in the fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger  1032  to permit it to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots the closure release button assembly  1062  such that the locking pawl  1064  is moved out of engagement with the locking wall  1039  on the first closure link  1036 . When the locking pawl  1064  has been moved out of engagement with the first closure link  1036 , the closure trigger  1032  may pivot back to the unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and release arrangements may also be employed. 
     An arm  1061  may extend from the closure release button  1062 . A magnetic element  1063 , such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted to the arm  1061 . When the closure release button  1062  is rotated from its first position to its second position, the magnetic element  1063  can move toward a circuit board  1100 . The circuit board  1100  can include at least one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of the magnetic element  1063 . In at least one embodiment, for example, a “Hall Effect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of the circuit board  1100 . The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detect changes in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused by the movement of the magnetic element  1063 . The Hall Effect sensor can be in signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which can determine whether the closure release button  1062  is in its first position, which is associated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger  1032  and the open configuration of the end effector, its second position, which is associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger  1032  and the closed configuration of the end effector, and/or any position between the first position and the second position. 
     In at least one form, the handle  1014  and the frame  1020  may operably support another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system  1080  that is configured to apply firing motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. The firing drive system may  1080  also be referred to herein as a “second drive system”. The firing drive system  1080  may employ an electric motor  1082  that is located in the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 . In various forms, the motor  1082  may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor  1082  may be powered by a power source  1090  that in one form may comprise a removable power pack  1092 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , for example, the power pack  1092  may comprise a proximal housing portion  1094  that is configured for attachment to a distal housing portion  1096 . The proximal housing portion  1094  and the distal housing portion  1096  are configured to operably support a plurality of batteries  1098  therein. Batteries  1098  may each comprise, for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion  1096  is configured for removable operable attachment to the circuit board assembly  1100  which is also operably coupled to the motor  1082 . A number of batteries  1098  may be connected in series may be used as the power source for the surgical instrument  1010 . In addition, the power source  1090  may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. 
     As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electric motor  1082  can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaces with a gear reducer assembly  1084  that is mounted in meshing engagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth  1122  on a longitudinally-movable drive member  1120 . In use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source  1090  can operate the electric motor  1082  in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor  1082  in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor  1082  is rotated in one direction, the drive member  1120  will be axially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor  82  is driven in the opposite rotary direction, the drive member  1120  will be axially driven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle  1014  can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor  1082  by the power source  1090 . As with the other forms described herein, the handle  1014  can also include a sensor that is configured to detect the position of the drive member  1120  and/or the direction in which the drive member  1120  is being moved. 
     Actuation of the motor  1082  can be controlled by a firing trigger  1130  that is pivotally supported on the handle  1014 . The firing trigger  1130  may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger  1130  may be biased into the unactuated position by a spring  1132  or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger  1130 , it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring  1132  or biasing arrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger  1130  can be positioned “outboard” of the closure trigger  132  as was discussed above. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button  1134  may be pivotally mounted to the closure trigger  1032  by pin  1035 . The safety button  1134  may be positioned between the firing trigger  1130  and the closure trigger  1032  and have a pivot arm  1136  protruding therefrom. See  FIG. 21 . When the closure trigger  1032  is in the unactuated position, the safety button  1134  is contained in the handle  1014  where the clinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety position preventing actuation of the firing trigger  1130  and a firing position wherein the firing trigger  1130  may be fired. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  1032 , the safety button  1134  and the firing trigger  1130  pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician. 
     As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  has a rack of teeth  1122  formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear  1086  of the gear reducer assembly  1084 . At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable “bailout” assembly  1140  that is configured to enable the clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  should the motor  1082  become disabled. The bailout assembly  1140  may include a lever or bailout handle assembly  1142  that is configured to be manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth  1124  also provided in the drive member  1120 . Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member  1120  by using the bailout handle assembly  1142  to ratchet the drive member  1120  in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailout arrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  includes a surgical end effector  1300  that comprises an elongate channel  1310  that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge  4000  therein. The end effector  1300  may further include an anvil  2000  that is pivotally supported relative to the elongate channel  1310 . The interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  may further include an articulation joint  3020  and an articulation lock  2140  which can be configured to releasably hold the end effector  1300  in a desired position relative to a shaft axis SA. Examples of various features of at least one form of the end effector  1300 , the articulation joint  3020  and articulation locks may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK is hereby incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can further include a proximal housing or nozzle  1201  comprised of nozzle portions  1202  and  1203 . 
     The interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can further include a closure system or closure member assembly  3000  which can be utilized to close and/or open the anvil  2000  of the end effector  1300 . The shaft assembly  1200  can include a spine  1210  that is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member therein and, two, slidably support the closure member assembly  3000  which extends around the spine  1210 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , a distal end  1211  of spine  1210  terminates in an upper lug mount feature  1270  and in a lower lug mount feature  1280 . The upper lug mount feature  1270  is formed with a lug slot  1272  therein that is adapted to mountingly support an upper mounting link  1274  therein. Similarly, the lower lug mount feature  1280  is formed with a lug slot  1282  therein that is adapted to mountingly support a lower mounting link  1284  therein. The upper mounting link  1274  includes a pivot socket  1276  therein that is adapted to rotatably receive therein a pivot pin  1292  that is formed on a channel cap or anvil retainer  1290  that is attached to a proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . The lower mounting link  1284  includes lower pivot pin  1286  that adapted to be received within a pivot hole  1314  formed in the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . See  FIG. 5 . The lower pivot pin  1286  is vertically aligned with the pivot socket  1276  to define an articulation axis AA about which the surgical end effector  1300  may articulate relative to the shaft axis SA. See  FIG. 2 . 
     In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector  1300  is selectively articulatable about the articulation axis AA by an articulation system  2100 . In one form, the articulation system  2100  includes proximal articulation driver  2102  that is pivotally coupled to an articulation link  2120 . As can be most particularly seen in  FIG. 5 , an offset attachment lug  2114  is formed on a distal end  2112  of the proximal articulation driver  2102 . A pivot hole  2116  is formed in the offset attachment lug  2114  and is configured to pivotally receive therein a proximal link pin  2124  formed on the proximal end  2122  of the articulation link  3020 . A distal end  2126  of the articulation link  2120  includes a pivot hole  2128  that is configured to pivotally receive therein a channel pin  1317  formed on the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . Thus, axial movement of proximal articulation driver  2102  will thereby apply articulation motions to the elongate channel  1310  to thereby cause the surgical end effector  1300  to articulate about the articulation axis AA relative to the spine assembly  1210 . Further details concerning the construction and operation of the articulation system  2100  may be found in various references incorporated by reference herein including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, filed Jun. 28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  2102  can be held in position by an articulation lock  2140  when the proximal articulation driver  2102  is not being moved in the proximal or distal directions. Additional details regarding an example of an articulation lock  2140  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631 as well as in other references incorporated by reference herein. 
     In various circumstances, the spine  1210  can comprise a proximal end  1211  which is rotatably supported in a chassis  1240 . In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end  1211  of the spine  1210  has a thread  1214  formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing  1216  configured to be supported within the chassis  1240 . See  FIG. 4 . Such an arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine  1210  to the chassis  1240  such that the spine  1210  may be selectively rotated about a shaft axis SA relative to the chassis  1240 . 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 4 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  includes a closure shuttle  1250  that is slidably supported within the chassis  1240  such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. The closure shuttle  1250  includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks  1252  that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin  1037  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) that is attached to the second closure link  1038  as will be discussed in further detail below. In at least one example, the closure member assembly  3000  comprises a proximal closure member segment  3010  that has a proximal end  3012  that is coupled to the closure shuttle  1250  for relative rotation thereto. For example, a U shaped connector  1263  is inserted into an annular slot  3014  in the proximal end  3012  of the proximal closure member segment  3010  and is retained within vertical slots  1253  in the closure shuttle  1250 . Such an arrangement serves to attach the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to the closure shuttle  1250  for axial travel therewith while enabling the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to rotate relative to the closure shuttle  1250  about the shaft axis SA. A closure spring  1268  is journaled on the proximal closure tube segment  3010  and serves to bias the proximal closure tube segment  3010  in the proximal direction “PD” which can serve to pivot the closure trigger  1032  into the unactuated position when the shaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle  1014 . 
     In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  may further include an articulation joint  3020 . Other interchangeable shaft assemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , for example, a distal closure member or distal closure tube segment  3030  is coupled to the distal end of the proximal closure member or proximal closure tube segment  3010 . The articulation joint  3020  includes a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  3022 . According to various forms, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly  3022  includes an end effector closure tube  3050  having upper and lower distally projecting tangs  3052 ,  3054 . An upper double pivot link  3056  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang  3052  and an upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang  3032  on the distal closure tube segment  3030 . A lower double pivot link  3058  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang  3054  and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang  3034 . See  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the closure tube assembly  3000  is translated distally (direction “DD”) to close the anvil  2000 , for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger  1032 . The anvil  2000  is opened by proximally translating the closure tube assembly  3000  which causes the end effector closure sleeve to interact with the anvil  2000  and pivot it to an open position. 
     As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  further includes a firing member  1900  that is supported for axial travel within the shaft spine  1210 . The firing member includes an intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or knife bar  1910 . The intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  may include a longitudinal slot  1223  in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive a tab  1912  on the proximal end of the distal knife bar  1910 . The longitudinal slot  1223  and the proximal end tab  1912  can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint. The slip joint  1914  can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  of the firing drive to be moved to articulate the end effector  1300  without moving, or at least substantially moving, the knife bar  1910 . Once the end effector  1300  has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot  1223  comes into contact with the tab  1912  in order to advance the knife bar  1910  and fire the staple cartridge  4000  positioned within the channel  1310 . The knife bar  1910  includes a knife portion  1920  that includes a blade or tissue cutting edge  1922  and includes an upper anvil engagement tab  1924  and lower channel engagement tabs  1926 . Various firing member configurations and operations are disclosed in various other references incorporated herein by reference. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly  1200  further includes a switch drum  1500  that is rotatably received on the closure tube  1260 . The switch drum  1500  comprises a hollow shaft segment  1502  that has a shaft boss formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuation pin therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin extends through a longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve when it is engaged with the articulation driver. A rotary torsion spring  1420  is configured to engage the boss on the switch drum  1500  and a portion of the nozzle housing  1203  to apply a biasing force to the switch drum  1500 . The switch drum  1500  can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings  1506  defined therein which can be configured to receive circumferential mounts extending from the nozzle halves  1202 ,  1203  and permit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum  1500  and the proximal nozzle  1201 . The mounts also extend through openings  3011  in the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to be seated in recesses  1219  in the spine shaft  1210 . Rotation of the switch drum  1500  about the shaft axis SA will ultimately result in the rotation of the actuation pin and the lock sleeve between its engaged and disengaged positions. In one arrangement, the rotation of the switch drum  1500  may be linked to the axial advancement of the closure tube or closure member. Thus, in essence, actuation of the closure system may operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with the firing drive system in the various manners described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of each being hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, when the closure tube is in its proximal-most position corresponding to a “jaws open” position, the closure tube segment  3010  will have positioned the switch drum  1500  so as to link the articulation system with the firing drive system. When, the closure tube has been moved to its distal position corresponding to a “jaws closed” position, the closure tube has rotated the switch drum  1500  to a position wherein the articulation system is delinked from the firing drive system. 
     As also illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly  1200  can comprise a slip ring assembly  1600  which can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from the end effector  1300  and/or communicate signals to and/or from the end effector  1300 , for example. The slip ring assembly  1600  can comprise a proximal connector flange  1604  that is mounted to a chassis flange  1242  that extends from the chassis  1240  and a distal connector flange that is positioned within a slot defined in the shaft housings. The proximal connector flange  1604  can comprise a first face and the distal connector flange can comprise a second face which is positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. The distal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connector flange  1604  about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange  1604  can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantially concentric, conductors defined in the first face thereof. A connector can be mounted on the proximal side of the connector flange and may have a plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is in electrical contact with one of the conductors. Such an arrangement permits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange  1604  and the distal connector flange while maintaining electrical contact therebetween. The proximal connector flange  1604  can include an electrical connector  1606  which can place the conductors in signal communication with a shaft circuit board  1610  mounted to the shaft chassis  1240 , for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harness comprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electrical connector  1606  and the shaft circuit board  1610 . The electrical connector  1606  may extend proximally through a connector opening  1243  defined in the chassis mounting flange  1242 . See  FIG. 4 . Further details regarding slip ring assembly  1600  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, for example. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties. 
     As discussed above, the shaft assembly  1200  can include a proximal portion which is fixably mounted to the handle  1014  and a distal portion which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly  1600 , as discussed above. The distal connector flange of the slip ring assembly  1600  can be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum  1500  can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connector flange and the switch drum  1500  can be rotated synchronously with one another. In addition, the switch drum  1500  can be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to the distal connector flange. When the switch drum  1500  is in its first position, the articulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may not articulate the end effector  1300  of the shaft assembly  1200 . When the switch drum  1500  is in its second position, the articulation drive system may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector  1300  of the shaft assembly  1200 . When the switch drum  1500  is moved between its first position and its second position, the switch drum  1500  is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, the shaft assembly  1200  can comprise at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switch drum  1500 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the chassis  1240  includes at least one, and preferably two, tapered attachment portions  1244  formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots  1702  formed within a distal attachment flange portion  1700  of the frame  1020 . See  FIG. 3 . Each dovetail slot  1702  may be tapered or, stated another way, be somewhat V-shaped to seatingly receive the attachment portions  1244  therein. As can be further seen in  FIG. 22 , a shaft attachment lug  1226  is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft  1222 . As will be discussed in further detail below, when the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  is coupled to the handle  1014 , the shaft attachment lug  1226  is received in a firing shaft attachment cradle  1126  formed in the distal end  1125  of the longitudinal drive member  1120 . See  FIG. 3 . 
     Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system  1710  for removably coupling the shaft assembly  1200  to the housing  1012  and more specifically to the frame  1020 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , for example, in at least one form, the latch system  1710  includes a lock member or lock yoke  1712  that is movably coupled to the chassis  1240 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke  1712  has a U-shape with two spaced downwardly extending legs  1714 . The legs  1714  each have a pivot lug  1715  formed thereon that are adapted to be received in corresponding holes  1245  formed in the chassis  1240 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal attachment of the lock yoke  1712  to the chassis  1240 . The lock yoke  1712  may include two proximally protruding lock lugs  1716  that are configured for releasable engagement with corresponding lock detents or grooves  1704  in the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 . See  FIG. 3 . In various forms, the lock yoke  1712  is biased in the proximal direction by spring or biasing member (not shown). Actuation of the lock yoke  1712  may be accomplished by a latch button  1722  that is slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly  1720  that is mounted to the chassis  1240 . The latch button  1722  may be biased in a proximal direction relative to the lock yoke  1712 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the lock yoke  1712  may be moved to an unlocked position by biasing the latch button the in distal direction which also causes the lock yoke  1712  to pivot out of retaining engagement with the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 . When the lock yoke  1712  is in “retaining engagement” with the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 , the lock lugs  1716  are retainingly seated within the corresponding lock detents or grooves  1704  in the distal attachment flange  1700 . 
     When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an end effector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fasten tissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable to prevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly from the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, in use the clinician may actuate the closure trigger  1032  to grasp and manipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the target tissue is positioned within the end effector  1300  in a desired orientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger  1032  to close the anvil  1306  and clamp the target tissue in position for cutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system  1030  has been fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the end effector  1300 , it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachment of the shaft assembly  1200  from the housing  1012 . One form of the latch system  1710  is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment. 
     As can be most particularly seen in  FIG. 4 , the lock yoke  1712  includes at least one and preferably two lock hooks  1718  that are adapted to contact corresponding lock lug portions  1256  that are formed on the closure shuttle  1250 . When the closure shuttle  1250  is in an unactuated position (i.e., the first drive system  1030  is unactuated and the anvil  1306  is open), the lock yoke  1712  may be pivoted in a distal direction to unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  from the housing  1012 . When in that position, the lock hooks  1718  do not contact the lock lug portions  1256  on the closure shuttle  1250 . However, when the closure shuttle  1250  is moved to an actuated position (i.e., the first drive system  1030  is actuated and the anvil  1306  is in the closed position), the lock yoke  1712  is prevented from being pivoted to an unlocked position. Stated another way, if the clinician were to attempt to pivot the lock yoke  1712  to an unlocked position or, for example, the lock yoke  1712  was in advertently bumped or contacted in a manner that might otherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks  1718  on the lock yoke  1712  will contact the lock lugs  1256  on the closure shuttle  1250  and prevent movement of the lock yoke  1712  to an unlocked position. 
     Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  to the handle  1014  will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinician may position the chassis  1240  of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020  such that the tapered attachment portions  1244  formed on the chassis  1240  are aligned with the dovetail slots  1702  in the frame  1020 . The clinician may then move the shaft assembly  1200  along an installation axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat the attachment portions  1244  in “operable engagement” with the corresponding dovetail receiving slots  1702 . In doing so, the shaft attachment lug  1226  on the intermediate firing shaft  1222  will also be seated in the cradle  1126  in the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  and the portions of pin  1037  on the second closure link  1038  will be seated in the corresponding hooks  1252  in the closure yoke  1250 . As used herein, the term “operable engagement” in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with each other so that upon application of an actuation motion thereto, the components may carry out their intended action, function and/or procedure. 
     At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can be operably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle  1014 . A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/or aligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly  1200  with the frame  1020  of the handle  1014 . Another system can comprise a closure drive system  1030  which can operably connect the closure trigger  1032  of the handle  1014  and the closure tube  1260  and the anvil  2000  of the shaft assembly  1200 . As outlined above, the closure tube attachment yoke  1250  of the shaft assembly  1200  can be engaged with the pin  1037  on the second closure link  1038 . Another system can comprise the firing drive system  1080  which can operably connect the firing trigger  1130  of the handle  1014  with the intermediate firing shaft  1222  of the shaft assembly  1200 . As outlined above, the shaft attachment lug  1226  can be operably connected with the cradle  1126  of the longitudinal drive member  1120 . Another system can comprise an electrical system which can signal to a controller in the handle  1014 , such as microcontroller, for example, that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly  1200 , for example, has been operably engaged with the handle  1014  and/or, two, conduct power and/or communication signals between the shaft assembly  1200  and the handle  1014 . For instance, the shaft assembly  1200  can include an electrical connector  1810  that is operably mounted to the shaft circuit board  1610 . The electrical connector  1810  is configured for mating engagement with a corresponding electrical connector  1800  on the handle control board  1100 . Further details regaining the circuitry and control systems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,142, the entire disclosures of each which were previously incorporated by reference herein. The fifth system may consist of the latching system for releasably locking the shaft assembly  1200  to the handle  1014 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the anvil  2000  in the illustrated example includes an anvil body  2002  that terminates in anvil mounting portion  2010 . The anvil mounting portion  2010  is movably or pivotably supported on the elongate channel  1310  for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed anvil pivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In the illustrated arrangement, a pivot member or anvil trunnion  2012  extends laterally out of each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion  2010  to be received in a corresponding trunnion cradle  1316  formed in the upstanding walls  1315  of the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . The anvil trunnions  2012  are pivotally retained in their corresponding trunnion cradle  1316  by the channel cap or anvil retainer  1290 . The channel cap or anvil retainer  1290  includes a pair of attachment lugs that are configured to be retainingly received within corresponding lug grooves or notches formed in the upstanding walls  1315  of the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 , in at least one arrangement, the distal closure member or end effector closure tube  3050  employs two axially offset, proximal and distal positive jaw opening features  3060  and  3062 . In  FIG. 7 , the proximal positive jaw opening feature  2060  is located on the right side (as viewed by a user of the tool assembly) of the shaft axis SA. The positive jaw opening features  3060 ,  3062  are configured to interact with corresponding relieved areas  3064 ,  3066  and stepped portions formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010  as described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, filed Jun. 28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, the entire disclosure which has been herein incorporated by reference. Other jaw opening arrangements may be employed. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate one form of an anvil  2000  that includes an elongate anvil body portion  2002  that terminates in an mounting portion  2010  that is configured to interact with the end effector closure sleeve  3050  to minimize the amount of resultant forces experienced by the end effector closure tube  3050  as the anvil  2000  is moved from a fully open position to a closed position and ultimately an over-closed position. The anvil body portion  2002  includes a staple-forming undersurface  2004  that has a series of anvil forming pockets (not shown) formed therein. An elongate slot  2006  extends through the body portion  2002  and the mounting portion  2010  to facilitate passage of the knife portion or “firing member”  1920  therethrough. In addition, an anvil cover  2030  is attached to the anvil body  2002  to cover the slot  2006 . In various circumstances, the anvil mounting portion  2010  comprises anvil cam surface  2020  formed thereon. The anvil cam surface  2020  is bisected or otherwise split by the elongate slot  2006 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cover  2030  is oriented at an angle that corresponds to the angle/orientation of the anvil cam surfaces  2020 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the anvil  2000  in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the distal or end effector closure tube  3050  is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000  is in its fully open position. When in that position, a cam surface  3072  formed on the distal end  3070  of the end effector closure tube  3050  is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 . As the end effector closure tube  3050  is moved distally, the cam surface  3072  on the end effector closure tube  3050  contacts the cam closure surfaces  2020  on the anvil mounting portion  2010  and a corresponding closure surface  2034  on the proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cover  2030  to pivot the anvil  2000  into a “closed” position.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the positions of the end effector closure tube  3050  and the anvil  2000  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. 
     As the end effector closure tube  3050  continues to be advanced distally to apply additional closure motions to the anvil to ultimately move the anvil to an “over-closed” position, the end effector closure tube may experience significant stress which may, overtime, cause the end effector closure tube to become elongated vertically (when viewed from an end) or, stated another way, become somewhat oval in shape which may ultimately lead to failure or otherwise detrimentally effect the ability to attain a fully closed position. It is axiomatic that when a thin-walled tube or cylinder is subjected to internal pressure, a “hoop” and longitudinal stress are produced in the wall of the tube. This hoop stress is acting circumferential and perpendicular to the axis and radius of the cylinder wall. Such hoop stress may be calculated as:
         σh=pd/(2t), where:   σh=hoop stress (MPa, psi)   p=internal pressure in the tube or cylinder (MPa, psi)   d=internal diameter of tube or cylinder (mm, in)   t=tube or cylinder wall thickness (mm, in)
 
End effector closure tubes with various tube wall configurations have been developed. Examples of such tube configurations are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, filed Dec. 21, 2016, entitled CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
       

       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 . The closure tube  3050  comprises an external surface  3074  and an internal wall surface  3076 . In at least one form, the closure tube  3050  comprises a constant internal diameter ID and a constant external diameter OD to define a wall thickness CT that is uniform or constant throughout a length of the closure tube  3050  or at least the portion of the closure tube that is configured to interface with the end effector jaws such as the anvil  2000  and the elongate channel  1310 . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 12 , in at least one arrangement, when the anvil  2000  is in the “closed position”, a clearance distance “CD” may be observed between the staple-forming underside  2004  of the anvil body  2002  and the cartridge deck surface of a cartridge that is supported within the elongate channel  1310  when no tissue is clamped between the anvil  2000  and the cartridge.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12  across the closure cam surfaces  2020  as well as through a distal end portion of the end effector closure tube  3050  as well as the anvil mounting portion  2020  and the proximal end portion of the elongate channel  1310 . As can be seen in that Figure, various closure forces CF are applied to the anvil  2000  and elongate channel  1310  by the end effector closure tube  3050 . For example, closure forces CF are applied onto the closure cam surfaces  2020  and the proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030  as well as onto the elongate channel  1310 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 6-15 , the anvil mounting portion  2020  is formed to establish a plurality of discrete load transfer locations that are configured to be contacted by the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050  when the end effector closure tube  3050  is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the anvil  2000 . In at least one arrangement, at least two discrete load transfer locations are located on each side of a vertical plane VP that bisects the anvil  2000  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. For example, in  FIG. 13 , a first right load transfer location or edge  2070 R, a second right load transfer location or edge  2072 R, a third right load transfer location or edge  2074 R and a fourth right load transfer location or edge  2076 R are formed on a right side of the vertical plane VP. Similarly, a first left load transfer location or edge  2070 L, a second left load transfer location or edge  2072 L, a third left load transfer location or edge  2074 L and a fourth left load transfer location or edge  2076 L are formed on a left side of the vertical plane VP. As used in this context, the term “at least two discrete load transfer locations” means that the load transfer locations are formed relative to each other so that a space or clearance is formed between the portion of the anvil mounting portion  2010  extending between the load transfer locations and the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . 
     For example, a first amount of clearance CR 1  is formed between the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050  extending between the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the second right load transfer location  2072 R. A second amount of clearance CR 2  is formed between the inner surface of the end effector closure tube  3050  extending between the third right load transfer location  2072 R and the third right load transfer location  2074 R. A third amount of clearance CR 3  is formed between the third right load transfer location  2074 R and the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R. A first amount of clearance CL 1  is formed between the inner surface of the end effector closure tube extending between the first left load transfer location  2070 L and the second left load transfer location  2072 L. A second amount of clearance CL 2  is formed between the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube extending between the second left load transfer location  2072 L and the third left load transfer location  2074 L. A third amount of clearance CL 3  is formed between the third left load transfer location  2074 L and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L. In at least one arrangement, the closure forces CF applied to the closure cam surfaces  2020 , as well as the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030  may be evenly distributed between the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the first left load transfer location  2070 L. Likewise, the closure forces CF applied to the elongate channel  1310  may be evenly distributed between the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L, for example. 
     In at least one arrangement, at least two right load transfer locations  2070 R,  2072 R and at least two left load transfer locations  2070 L,  2072 L are located on one side of a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector  1300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the two right load transfer locations  2070 R,  2072 R are located on an opposite side of vertical plane VP from the two left load transfer locations  2070 L,  2072 L. Also in at least one arrangement, the third right load transfer location  2074 R and the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R are located on an opposite side of the horizontal plane HP from the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the second right load transfer location  2072 R. Similarly, third left load transfer location  2074 L and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L are located on a opposite side of the horizontal plane HP from the first left load transfer location  2070 L and the second left load transfer location  2072 L. The right load transfer locations  2074 R,  2076 R are located on an opposite side of vertical plane VP from the two left load transfer locations  2074 L,  2076 L. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the load transfer locations may be formed by scalloped or relieved areas  2080 ,  2082 ,  2084  so that the load transfer locations comprise corners formed from adjoining surfaces. Other load transfer location shapes are contemplated. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the anvil  2000  and the end effector closure tube  3050  in an “over-closed” state that is created as the end effector closure tube  3050  is advanced further distally after the anvil  2000  has attained the closed position. In at least one example, the anvil  2000  is in an “over-closed state” when a distal end portion  2003  of the body portion  2002  of the anvil  2000  is in contact with the cartridge deck of the staple cartridge that is operably supported with the elongate channel  1310 . See  FIG. 14 . Continued distal advancement of the end effector closure tube  3050  after the anvil  2000  has attained the closed position may significantly increase the hoop stress formed in the end effector closure tube  3050  which may cause the end effector closure tube to effectually fail or vertically elongate which can detrimentally effect the proper closure of the anvil when used in future applications. As be seen in  FIG. 15 , the first right amount of clearance CR 1  and the first left amount of clearance CL 1  may each have a clearance width CW 1  that is located on a common side of the horizontal plane HP. The second right amount of clearance CR 2 , and the second left amount of clearance CL 2  each span across the horizontal plane HP. Stated another way, portions of the second right amount of clearance CR 2  are located on each side of the horizontal plane HP and portions of the second left amount of clearance CL 2  are located on each side of the horizontal plane HP. 
     Forming at least two discrete load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. By forming at least three load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may further reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. Forming at least four load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may further reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. Such arrangements therefor enable the end effector closure tube  3050  to be made with a constant wall thickness as described above, which may reduce the amount of manufacturing costs associated with manufacturing the end effector closure tube. 
       FIGS. 16-22  illustrate an alternative anvil  2000 ′ that is substantially identical to anvil  2000  described above expect for the differences discussed below. As can be seen in  FIG. 16 , the anvil mounting portion  2010 ′ is formed with continuous arcuate anvil camming surfaces  2020 ′ that are not interrupted by any load transfer locations.  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate the anvil  2000 ′ in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000 ′ is in its fully open position. When in that position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 ′. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 ′ that may be identical to the end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences noted below. The end effector closure tube  3050 ′ comprises an external surface  3074 ′ and an internal wall surface  3076 ′. In at least one form, the closure tube  3050 ′ has a constant wall thickness WT 1  except for a segment A s  of the wall located at the top of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ that has a thicker wall thickness WT 2  that is greater than WT 1 . Such arrangement forms a single load transfer location  2070 ′. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate the positions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the anvil  2000 ′ when the anvil  2000 ′ is in the closed position. As can be seen in  FIG. 20 , as the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is moved distally, the load transfer location  2070 ′ on the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ contacts the cam surface  2034  on the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030 . The end effector closure tube  3050 ′ also contacts portions of the elongate channel  1310  on each side of the vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector. The load transfer location  2070 ′ may span across the entire cam surface  2034  to contact an upper portion of the cam surfaces  2020 ′ on each side of the vertical plane VP as shown in  FIG. 20 . When in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , such arrangement serves to form a space  3077  between the corresponding portions of the inner surface  3076 ′ of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the cam surfaces  2020 ′ of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ′ as shown in  FIG. 20 . The spaces  3077  each extend from the load transfer location  2070 ′ and the area wherein the inner surface  3076 ′ contacts the elongate channel  1310  (space distance S D ). Thus, when the anvil  2000 ′ is moved to a closed position, there is a discrete first load transfer location  2070 ′ located on one side of a horizontal plane HP and two discrete load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ locations located on an opposite side of the horizontal plane HP. The discrete first load transfer location  2070 ′ is separated from each of the discrete load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ by spaces  3077  when the anvil  2000 ′ is in the closed position. See  FIG. 20 . As can also be seen in  FIG. 20 , the load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ are located on opposite sides of the vertical plane VP. 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate the interrelationship between the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the anvil  2000 ′ when the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ has moved the anvil  2000 ′ in an over-closed orientation. As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , when in the over-closed position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ contacts the anvil  2000 ′ and the elongate channel  1310  to form a discrete load transfer location  2070 ′ that is separated from discrete load transfer locations  2074 R′,  2074 L′ by spaces  3079 R,  3079 L. The discrete load transfer location  2074 R′ is separated by the discrete load transfer location  2076 R′ by a space  3081 R and the discrete load transfer location  2074 L′ is separated from a discrete load transfer location  2076 L′ by a space  3081 L. Thus, in this arrangement, at least one discrete load transfer location ( 2070 ′) spans a vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector and at least two discrete load transfer locations span a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector. In addition, at least one discrete load transfer location is located on each side of the horizontal plane HP and at least one discrete load transfer location is located on each side of the vertical plane VP. Such arrangement of load transfer locations in the above manner may help to prevent the vertical elongation of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′. 
       FIGS. 24-30  illustrate an alternative anvil  2000 ″ that is substantially identical to anvil  2000  described above expect for the differences discussed below. As can be seen in  FIG. 24 , the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″ is formed with an arcuate anvil camming surface  2020 ″ and right and left notched or recessed portions  2022 ″.  FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate the anvil  2000 ″ in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 24 , the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000 ″ is in its fully open position. When in that position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 ″.  FIG. 30  illustrates one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that may be identical to the end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences noted below. The end effector closure tube  3050 ″ comprises an external surface  3074 ″ and an internal wall surface  3076 ″. In at least one form, the closure tube  3050 ″ has a first wall thickness WT 1 , a second wall thickness WT 2 , a third wall thickness WT 3 , and a fourth wall thickness WT 4  that are arranged as shown in  FIG. 30 . In at least one arrangement, for example, WT 1 &lt;WT 2 &lt;WT 3 ≤WT 4 . In some cases, WT 3 &gt;WT 4 . The portion of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that has a wall thickness corresponding to WT 4  forms a load transfer location  2070 ″. In the illustrated arrangement, for example, the load transfer location  2070 ″ spans across a vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. The portions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that have a wall thickness WT 3  form load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″. In at least one arrangement as shown in  FIG. 30 , the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ span across a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , as the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is moved distally, the load transfer location  2070 ″ contacts the cam surface  2034  on the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030 . The load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ also contact corresponding portions of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″. Also portions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ form load transfer locations  2074 R″,  2074 L″ that contact corresponding portions of the elongate channel  1310  to move the anvil  2000 ″ to the closed position shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . When in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , such arrangement serves to form a space  3077 ″,  3079 ″ between the corresponding portions of the inner surface  3076 ″ of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ and the cam surfaces  2020 ″ of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″ as shown in  FIG. 27 . The spaces  3077 ″ are located between the load transfer location  2070 ″ and the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″. The spaces  3079 ″ are located between the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ and the load transfer locations  2074 R,  2074 L″ as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  illustrate the interrelationship between the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ and the anvil  2000 ″ when the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ has moved the anvil  2000 ″ into an over-closed orientation. As can be seen in  FIG. 29 , in addition to the load transfer locations  2070 ″,  2072 R″,  2072 L″,  2074 R″,  2074 L″, discrete load transfer locations  2076 R″,  2076 L″ are formed by the edge of the recessed portions  2022 ″ formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″. Such discrete load transfer locations  2076 R″,  2076 L″ are separated from the corresponding discrete load transfer locations  2072 R″.  2072 L″ by corresponding spaces  3081 ″. The provision of the discrete load transfer locations in the above manner may help to prevent the vertical elongation of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. 
     When using an end effector  1300  of the type and construction described herein, a clinician manipulates the first and second jaws (the anvil  2000  and the elongate channel  1310  that has a surgical staple cartridge operably mounted therein), to capture the tissue to be cut and stapled (the “target tissue”) therebetween. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , for example, a surgical staple cartridge  4000  comprises a cartridge body  4010  that is configured to be removably supported within the elongate channel  1310 . The cartridge body  4010  includes an elongate cartridge slot  4016  that extends from a proximal end  4012  through the cartridge body  4010  to a distal end portion  4014  to enable the knife member or firing member  1920  to pass therethrough. The cartridge body  4010  further defines a cartridge deck surface  4020  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . A plurality of staple cavities  4022  are provided in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . Each cavity  4022  opens through the deck surface  4020  to removably support a surgical staple or staples therein. In at least one cartridge arrangement, three lines of staple cavities  4022  are provided on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . The lines are formed such that the staples in a center line are staggered relative to the staples in the two adjacent outer lines. The staples are supported on staple drivers that are movably supported within each staple cavity. In at least some arrangements, the staple drivers are arranged to be contacted or “fired” upward when contacted by a cam member or camming portions associated with the knife member  1920 , for example. In some arrangements, a wedge sled or camming sled is movably supported in the cartridge body and is adapted to be axially displaced through the cartridge body as the knife member  1920  is axially deployed through the cartridge from the proximal end portion  4012  to the distal end portion  4014  of the cartridge body  4010 . The wedge sled includes a camming member or wedge associated with each line of staple cavities so as to serially deploy the staple drivers supported therein. As the cam contacts a staple driver, the driver is driven upwardly within the staple cavity driving the staple or staples supported thereon out of the staple cavity through the clamped tissue and into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface of the anvil. The wedge sled or camming member is located distal to the knife or tissue cutting edge of the knife or firing member  1920 , so that the tissue is stapled prior to be severed by the tissue cutting edge. 
     When the clinician initially locates the target tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge, it is important that the target tissue be located so that the knife does not cut into the target tissue unless it is first stapled. In previous anvil arrangements, tissue stops are provided on the proximal end of the anvil body to prevent the target tissue from moving proximally past the proximal most staple pockets in the staple cartridge. Such tissue stops form abrupt proximal ends that confront or face the distal end of the end effector closure tube. As the closure tube is moved distally to close the anvil, tissue extending outward from between the anvil and the cartridge occasionally will become undesirably pinned or pinched between the proximal ends of the tissue stops and the distal end of the end effector closure tube. The examples disclosed below are configured to minimize the possibility of tissue being pinched between the tissue stops and the end effector closure tube when the anvil is being moved to the closed and over-closed positions in the various manners described herein. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , for example, the staple cartridge  4000  includes staples (not shown) that are removably supported or stored in each of the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P located in the lines of staple cavities  4022  located in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 .
     In various circumstances, to prevent the target tissue from being clamped proximal to the staples in the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P, the anvil  2000  includes two tissue stop members  2040  that protrude downwardly past the staple-forming undersurface on each side of the anvil body. When the anvil is in a closed position or in an over-closed position, each of the tissue stop members  2040  protrude downwardly on each side of the cartridge body  4010 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the anvil  2000  in an open configuration. As can be seen in that Figure, each of the tissue stops  2040  extend below the cartridge deck surface to prevent the target tissue from extending proximally past the staples in the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P. As can be seen in  FIGS. 7, 31 and 32 , in at least one arrangement, the tissue stops  2040  are integrally formed with the anvil body portion  2002 . The anvil body portion  2002  and the proximal ends of the tissue stops  2040  extend slightly above the corresponding camming surfaces  2020  formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010 . In the illustrated example, the proximal ends of the tissue stops  2040  are segmented into an upper proximal end portion  2042 , a lower proximal end portion  2043  and a bottom proximal end portion  2044 . See  FIGS. 31 and 32 . As can also be seen in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , an angled surface or chamfer surface  2045  is formed between the upper proximal end portion  2042  and the camming surface  2020  on the anvil mounting portion. An angled surface or chamfer surface  2046  is formed between the lower proximal end portion  2043  and the camming surface  2020  and an angled surface or chamfer surface  2047  is formed between the bottom proximal end portion  2044  and the camming surface  2020 . In the illustrated arrangement wherein scalloped or relieved areas  2080 ,  2082 ,  2084  are formed in the anvil mounting portion  2010 , the chamfer  2045  corresponds to the relieved area  2080 . See  FIG. 33 . The lower proximal end portion  2043  and accompanying chamfer  2046  correspond to relieved area  2082  and the bottom proximal end portion  2044  and accompanying chamfer  2047  corresponds to relieved area  2084 .   

     As discussed above, the anvil  2000  is moved from a fully open position to the closed position and an over-closed position by the axially movable end effector closure tube  3050 .  FIGS. 31 and 33  illustrate the position of the end effector closure tube  3050  relative to the tissue stops  2040  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. As can be seen in  FIG. 33 , the upper proximal end portion  2042  and accompanying chamfer  2045  are approximately parallel to a corresponding portion of a distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . To reduce a possibility of tissue being inadvertently pinched between the tissue stops  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 , the lower proximal end portion  2043  and the bottom proximal end portion  2044  of the tissue stop  2040  and the corresponding chamfers  2046  and  2047  angle away from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . This arrangement has the practical effect of increasing a distance between the portion of the tissue stop and the end effector closure tube that may most likely encounter adjacent tissue. 
       FIG. 33  is an enlarged view of a portion of the end effector depicted in  FIG. 31  wherein the anvil  2000  is in a closed position. When in that position, the upper proximal end portion  2042  of each tissue stops  2040  is located a first tissue distance TD 1  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . The bottom proximal end portion  2044  of each tissue stop  2040  is located a second tissue distance TD 2  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . As can be seen in that Figure, TD 2 &gt;TD 1 .  FIGS. 32 and 34  depict the anvil  2000  in an over-closed position. The first tissue distance TD 1 ′ between the upper proximal end portion  2042  of each tissue stop  2040  is still slightly less than the second tissue distance TD 2 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  2044  of each tissue stop  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050  which will still reduce the likelihood of tissue pinch therebetween. In at least one example, TD 2  and/or TD 2 ′ may be approximately ten thousands of an inch to approximately twenty-five thousands of an inch. However, other gaps may be attained. Also, the inclusion of the chamfered surfaces  2045 ,  2046  and  2047  may help to lessen the likelihood of pinching tissue between the tissue stops  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050  when the anvil  200  is moved to the closed and over-closed positions. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described tissue stop configurations will also work with other forms of end effector closure tube and closure member arrangements. 
       FIGS. 35-38  illustrate another anvil embodiment  5000  that is identical to anvil  2000  described above except for the differences relating to tissue stops  5040 . Tissue stops  5040  may be identical to tissue stops  2040  except that proximal end portions  5042 ,  5043 ,  5044  of each tissue stop and the accompanying chamfer surfaces  5045 ,  5046 ,  5047  are approximately parallel to the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030 . End effector closure tube  5050  may otherwise be identical to end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences discussed below.  FIGS. 35 and 36  illustrate the anvil  5000  in the closed position. In this arrangement, an area that may otherwise be susceptible to pinching tissue is the edge of the bottom proximal end portion  5044  and the confronting portion of the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . To alleviate and minimize such possibility, a relieved area  5060  is formed in the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030  that confronts or, stated another way, is opposite from the bottom proximal end  5044  of each of the tissue stops  5040 . In the illustrated example, each relieved area  5060  comprises an arcuate notch  5062  that is formed in the portion of the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030  corresponding to the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040 . In the illustrated arrangements, for example, the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each of the tissue stops  5040  terminates in a bottom corner  5070  and the apex or bottom  5064  is directly across from the bottom corner  5070  when the end effector closure tube  5050  is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the anvil  5000 . Other notch shapes, however, may be employed. 
       FIG. 36  is an enlarged view of a portion of the end effector depicted in  FIG. 35  wherein the anvil  5000  is in a closed position. When in that position, the upper proximal end portion  5042 , the lower proximal end portion  5043  and the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  are located a first tissue distance TD 1  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . The bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  is located a second tissue distance TD 2  from the apex or bottom  5064  of the notch  5062  in the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . As can be seen in that Figure, TD 2 &gt;TD 1 .  FIGS. 37 and 38  depict the anvil  5000  in an over-closed position. The first tissue distance TD 1 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  is still less than the second tissue distance TD 2 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  2040  and the apex  5064  of the corresponding notch  5062  in the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050  which will still reduce the likelihood of tissue pinch therebetween. Also, the inclusion of the chamfered surfaces  5045 ,  5046  and  5047  may help to lessen the likelihood of pinching tissue between the tissue stops  5040  and the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050  when the anvil  5000  is moved to the closed and over-closed positions. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described tissue stop configurations will also work with other forms of end effector closure tube and closure member arrangements. 
       FIG. 39  illustrates a previous surgical staple cartridge  4000  that includes a cartridge body  4010  that is configured to be removably supported within the elongate channel  1310 . The cartridge body  4010  includes an elongate cartridge slot  4016  that extends from a proximal end  4012  through the cartridge body  4010  to a distal end portion  4014  to enable the knife member or firing member  1920  ( FIG. 5 ) to pass therethrough. The cartridge body  4010  further defines a cartridge deck surface  4020  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . See  FIG. 39 . A plurality of staple cavities  4022  are provided in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . Each cavity  4022  opens through the deck surface  4020  to removably support a surgical staple or staples therein. In at least one cartridge arrangement, three lines of staple cavities  4022  are provided on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . In the illustrated example, the lines are formed such that the staples in a center line are staggered relative to the staples in the two adjacent outer lines. The staples are supported on staple drivers that are movably supported within each staple cavity. In at least some arrangements, the staple drivers are arranged to be contacted or “fired” upward when contacted by a cam member or camming portions associated with the knife member  1920 , for example. In some arrangements, a “wedge” sled or camming sled is movably supported in the cartridge body  4010  and is adapted to be axially displaced through the cartridge body  4010  as the knife member  1920  is axially deployed through the cartridge from the proximal end portion  4012  to the distal end portion  4014  of the cartridge body  4010 . The wedge sled includes a camming member or “wedge” associated with each line of staple cavities so as to serially deploy the staple drivers supported therein. As the corresponding wedge or cam contacts a staple driver, the driver is driven upwardly within the staple cavity thereby driving the staple or staples supported thereon out of the staple cavity through the clamped tissue and into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface of a confronting anvil of the end effector. The wedge sled or camming member is located distal to the knife or tissue cutting edge of the knife or firing member  1920 , so that the tissue is stapled prior to being severed by the tissue cutting edge on the knife or firing member. 
     Variations to the arrangement and/or geometry of staples in a staple line can affect the flexibility and sealing properties of the staple line. For example, a staple line comprised of linear aligned staples can provide a limited amount of flexibility or stretch because the staple line can flex or stretch between the linear staples. Consequently, a limited portion of the staple line (e.g., the portion between staples) is flexible. A staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples can also flex or stretch between the staples. However, the angularly-oriented staples are also able to rotate, which provides an additional degree of stretch within the staple line. A staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples may be capable of stretching in excess of 60%, for example. In certain instances, a staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples can stretch at least 25% or at least 50%, for example. The arrangement of staples includes the relative orientation of the staples and the spacing between the staples, for example. The geometry of the staples includes the size and shape of the staples, for example. The flexibility and sealing properties of a staple line can change at longitudinal and/or lateral positions based on the arrangement and/or geometry of the staples. In certain instances, it is desirable to alter the flexibility and/or sealing properties of a staple line at one or more locations along the staple line. For example, it can be desirable to maximize the flexibility of the staple line or a portion thereof. Additionally or alternatively, it can be desirable to minimize the flexibility of the staple line or a portion thereof. It can also be desirable to maximize the sealing properties of the staple line or a portion thereof. Additionally or alternatively, it can be desirable to minimize the sealing properties of the staple line or a portion thereof. 
     The arrangement of staple cavities in a staple cartridge corresponds to the arrangement of staples in a staple line generated by the staple cartridge. For example, the spacing and relative orientation of staple cavities in a staple cartridge corresponds to the spacing and relative orientation of staples in a staple line generated by the staple cartridge. In various instances, a staple cartridge can include an arrangement of staples cavities that is selected and/or designed to optimize the flexibility and/or sealing properties of the resultant staple line. A surgeon may select a staple cartridge having a particular arrangement of staple cavities based on the surgical procedure to be performed and/or the properties of the tissue to be treated during the surgical procedure, for example. 
     In certain instances, it can be desirable to generate a staple line with different staple patterns. A staple line can include a first pattern of staples for a first portion thereof and a second pattern of staples for a second portion thereof. The first pattern and the second pattern can be longitudinally offset. For example, the first pattern can be positioned at the proximal or distal end of the staple line. In other instances, the first pattern and the second pattern can be laterally offset and, in still other instances, the first pattern and the second pattern can be laterally offset and longitudinally offset. A staple line can include at least two different patterns of staples. 
     In certain instances, the majority of staples in a staple line can form a major pattern and other staples in the staple line can form one or more minor patterns. The major pattern can span a significant portion of the staple line and can include a longitudinally-repetitive sub-pattern. In certain instances, the minor pattern, or irregularity, can deviate from the major pattern. The minor pattern can be an anomaly at one or more locations along the length of the staple line, for example. The different patterns in a staple line can be configured to produce different properties at predefined locations. For example, the major pattern can be a highly flexible or elastic pattern, which can permit extensive stretching of the stapled tissue, and the minor pattern can be less flexible or less elastic. It can be desirable for the majority of the staple line to be highly flexible and for one or more limited portions to be less flexible, for example. In other instances, the minor pattern can be more flexible than the major pattern. In certain instances, because the minor pattern extends along a shorter portion of the staple line, the flexibility of the minor pattern may not impact, or may not significantly impact, the overall flexibility of the entire staple line. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,389, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168629, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses various staple cartridge and staple driver arrangements. U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,627, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINES, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses various cartridge an anvil arrangements for creating flexible lines of surgical staples. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 39 , the majority of the staple cavities  4022  in the cartridge  4000  are arranged in a first pattern, or major pattern,  4030 . The first pattern  4030  is a longitudinally-repetitive pattern of angularly-oriented staple cavities  4022 . Longitudinally-repetitive patterns are patterns in which a sub-pattern or arrangement is longitudinally repeated. For example, an arrangement of three staple cavities on each side of the slot  4016  (an inner staple cavity, an intermediate staple cavity, and an outer staple cavity) can be repeated along at least a portion of the length of the staple cartridge body  4010 . Various longitudinally-repetitive patterns of angularly-oriented staples cavities are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,145, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0089142, entitled METHOD FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The openings  4024  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  form a herringbone pattern having six rows of angularly-oriented staple cavity openings  4024  in the cartridge deck surface  4020 . An inner row  4026   a , an intermediate row  4026   b , and an outer row  4026   c  of staple cavities  4022  are positioned on each side of the slot  4016 . 
     Each staple cavity opening  4024  has a proximal end  4027  and a distal end  4028 . The proximal end  4027  and the distal end  4028  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  are laterally offset. Stated differently, each staple cavity  4022  in the first pattern  4030  is angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. A cavity axis CA extends between the proximal end  4027  and the distal end  4028  of each opening  4024 . The cavity axes CA are obliquely oriented relative to the slot  4016 . More specifically, the openings  4024  in the inner rows  4026   a  of staple cavities  4022  and the outer rows  4026   c  of staple cavities  4022  are oriented at 45 degrees, or about 45 degrees, relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA, and the openings  4024  in the intermediate rows  4026   b  of staple cavities  4022  are oriented at 90 degrees, or about 90 degrees, relative to the openings  4024  of the inner rows  4026   a  and the outer rows  4026   c.    
     In the example of  FIG. 39 , certain staple cavities in the cartridge body  4010  are oriented at an angle that is anomalous or irregular with respect to the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . More specifically, the angular orientation of proximal staple cavities  4022   a ,  4022   b ,  4022   c , and  4022   d  and distal staples cavities  4022   e ,  4022   f ,  4022   g , and  4022   h  does not conform to the herringbone arrangement of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . Rather, the proximal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   d  and the distal staple cavities  4022   e - 4022   h  are angularly offset from the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The proximal staple cavities  4022   a ,  4022   b ,  4022   c , and  4022   d  are obliquely oriented relative to the staples cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 , and the distal staple cavities  4022   e ,  4022   f ,  4022   g , and  4022   h  are also obliquely oriented relative to the staples cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The proximal and distal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   h  are oriented parallel to the slot  4016  and to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. 
     The proximal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   d  form a proximal pattern  4040  that is distinct from the first pattern  4030 , and the distal staple cavities  4022   e - 4022   h  form a distal pattern  4042  that is also distinct from the first pattern  4030 . In the depicted arrangement, the proximal pattern  4040  includes a first pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   a ,  4022   b  on a first side of the slot  4016  and a second pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   c ,  4022   d  on a second side of the longitudinal slot  4016 . The distal pattern  4042  also includes a first pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   e ,  4022   f  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  4016  and a second pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   g ,  4022   h  on the second side of the longitudinal slot  4016 . In other instances, the distal pattern  4042  can be different from the proximal pattern  4040 . 
     The proximal pattern  4040  and the distal pattern  4042  are symmetric relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. In other instances, the proximal pattern  4040  and/or the distal pattern  4042  can be asymmetric relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. For example, the staple cavities  4022   e  and  4022   f  can be longitudinally offset from the staple cavities  4022   g  and  4022   h  and/or the staple cavities  4022   a  and  4022   b  can be longitudinally offset from the staple cavities  4022   c  and  4022   d . Additionally or alternatively, in certain instances, the staple cartridge body  4010  can include either the proximal pattern  4040  or the distal pattern  4042 . In other instances, the staple cavities  4022  defined in the staple cartridge body  4010  can include additional and/or different patterns of staple cavities  4022 . 
     As can be further seen in  FIG. 39 , atraumatic extenders  4050  extend or protrude from the deck surface  4020  around a portion of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The atraumatic extenders  4050  surround the proximal and distal ends  4027  and  4028 , respectively, of the openings  4024  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The atraumatic extenders  4050  may be configured to grip tissue that is clamped by the end effector. Additionally or alternatively, in certain instances, the tips of the staple legs can protrude from the cartridge body  4010 . In such instances, the atraumatic extenders  4050  may be configured to extend flush with and/or beyond the tips of the staple legs to prevent the tips from prematurely penetrating tissue. Consequently, larger staples, e.g., staples having longer legs, can be positioned in the staple cavities  4022  having atraumatic extenders  4050  positioned therearound. For example, referring again to  FIG. 39 , larger staples can be positioned in the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  than the staples in the staple cavities in the proximal pattern  4040  and the distal pattern  4042  without risking premature piercing of tissue by the longer staple legs. In certain instances, atraumatic extenders  4050  can be positioned around staples cavities  4022  in the proximal pattern  4040  and/or the distal pattern  4042 , and larger staples can be positioned in one of more of those staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   h , as well. 
     The staple cartridge body  4010  can be configured to generate a staple line having different properties along the length thereof. A staple line  4060  generated by the staple cartridge body  4010  and embedded in tissue T is depicted in  FIG. 40 . The staple line  4060  is comprised of staples  4062 , and an exemplary staple  4062  for use with various staple cartridges described herein is depicted in  FIG. 41 . The staple  4062  can be comprised of a bent wire, for example. The wire can have a diameter of 0.0079 inches, or approximately 0.0079 inches. In other instances, the wire can have a diameter of 0.0089 inches, or approximately 0.0089 inches. In still other instances, the wire can have a diameter of 0.0094, or approximately 0.0094 inches. In certain instances, the wire can have a diameter of less than 0.0079 inches or more than 0.0094 inches. The reader will appreciate that the diameter of the wire can dictate the diameter of the staple. The staple  4062  is a substantially U-shaped staple having a base  4064 , a first leg  4066  extending from a first end of the base  4064 , and a second leg  4068  extending from a second end of the base  4064 . The first leg  4066  is substantially parallel to the second leg  4068  and substantially perpendicular to the base  4064 . When implanted in tissue T, the angular orientation of the base  4064  corresponds to the angular orientation of the staple cavity opening  4024  from which the staple  4062  was fired. 
     Another exemplary staple  4070  that may be used with various staple cartridges described herein is depicted in  FIG. 42 . The staple  4070  is a substantially “V-shaped” staple having a base  4072 , a first leg  4074  extending from a first end of the base  4072 , and a second leg  4076  extending from a second end of the base  4072 . The first leg  4074  is obliquely oriented relative to the second leg  4076  and the base  4072 . When implanted in tissue T, the orientation of the base  4072  corresponds to the orientation of the staple cavity opening  4024  from which the staple  4070  was fired. The reader will appreciate that staples having different geometries can also be fired from the staple cartridges described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 40 , the staple line  4060  includes a first portion  4061 , a proximal portion  4063 , and a distal portion  4065 . The first portion  4061  is generated from the first pattern, or major pattern,  4030  and extends along a substantial portion of the staple line  4030 . Owing to the angular orientation of the staples  4062  in the first portion  4030 , the first portion  4061  is substantially flexible or compliant. For example, because the angularly-oriented staples  4062  can rotate within the stapled tissue T while minimizing trauma to the tissue T, the first portion  4061  is configured to stretch or extend longitudinally and/or laterally as the stapled tissue stretches. 
     The proximal portion  4063  is generated from the proximal pattern  4040  and forms the proximal end of the staple line  4060 . The distal portion  4065  is generated from the distal pattern  4042  and forms the distal end of the staple line  4060 . Owing to the parallel orientation of the staples  4062  in the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  of the staple line  4060 , the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  of the staple line  4060  can be less flexible than the first portion  4061 . However, the reduced flexibility of the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  may not impact, or not substantially impact, the overall flexibility of the staple line  4060 . Moreover, as described herein, the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  may not extend adjacent to the cutline and, in certain instances, the proximal portion  4063  may be absent or missing from the staple line  4060 . 
     As described herein, staples are removably positioned in a staple cartridge and fired from the staple cartridge during use. In various instances, the staples can be driven out of staple cavities in the staple cartridge and into forming contact with an anvil. For example, a firing element can translate through the staple cartridge during a firing stroke to drive the staples from the staple cartridge toward an anvil. In certain instances, the staples can be supported by staple drivers and the firing element can lift the staple drivers to eject or remove the staples from the staple cartridge. 
     An anvil can include a staple-forming undersurface having staple-forming pockets defined therein. In certain instances, the staple-forming pockets can be stamped in the anvil. For example, the staple-forming pockets can be coined in a flat surface of the anvil. The reader will appreciate that certain features of the staple-forming pockets can be a deliberate consequence of a coining process. For example, a certain degree of rounding at corners and/or edges of the staple-forming produce can be an intentional result of the coining process. Such features can also be designed to better form the staples to their formed configurations, including staples that become skewed and/or otherwise misaligned during deployment. 
     Each staple in the staple cartridge can be aligned with a staple-forming pocket of the anvil. In other words, the arrangement of staple cavities and staples in a staple cartridge for an end effector can correspond or match the arrangement of staple-forming pockets in an anvil of the end effector. More specifically, the angular orientation of each staple cavity can match the angular orientation of the respective staple-forming pocket. For example, when the staple cavities are arranged in a herringbone pattern, the staple-forming pockets can also be arranged in a herringbone pattern. 
     When staples are driven from the staple cartridge and into forming contact with the anvil, the staples can be formed into a “fired” configuration. In various instances, the fired configuration can be a “B-form” configuration, in which the tips of the staple legs are bent toward the staple base or crown to form a capital letter B having symmetrical upper and lower loops. In other instances, the fired configuration can be a modified B-form, such as a skewed B-form configuration, in which at least a portion of a staple leg torques out of plane with the staple base, or an asymmetrical B-form configuration, in which the upper and lower loops of the capital letter B are asymmetric. Tissue can be captured or clamped within the formed staple. 
     The arrangement of staples and/or staple cavities in a staple cartridge can be configured to optimize the corresponding arrangement of staple-forming pockets in the forming surface of a complementary anvil. For example, the angular orientation and spacing of staples in a staple cartridge can be designed to optimize the forming surface of an anvil. In certain instances, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets in an anvil can be limited by the geometry of the anvil. In instances in which the staple-forming pockets are obliquely-oriented relative to a longitudinal axis, the width of the anvil can limit the size and spacing of the obliquely-oriented staple-forming pockets. For example, the width of an intermediate row of staple-forming pockets can define a minimum distance between a first row (e.g. an outer row) on one side of the intermediate row and a second row (e.g. an inner row) on the other side of the intermediate row. Moreover, the rows of staple-forming pockets are confined between an inside edge on the anvil, such as a knife slot, and an outside edge of the anvil. 
     In various instances, the pockets can be adjacently nested along a staple-forming undersurface of the anvil. For example, an intermediate pocket can be nested between an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The angular orientation of the pockets can vary row-to-row to facilitate the nesting thereof. For example, the staple-forming pockets in an inner row can be oriented at a first angle, the staple-forming pockets in an intermediate row can be oriented at a second angle, and the staple-forming pockets in an outer row can be oriented at a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle can be different, which can facilitate the close arrangement of the staple-forming pockets. 
     Referring again to the previous staple cartridge depicted in  FIG. 39  and other previous staple cartridges disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,627, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINES and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,145, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0089142, entitled METHOD FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE, the varying angles of the staples and the staple cavities in each row can be selected to optimize the nesting of the staple-forming pockets in a complementary anvil. For each such staple cartridge, a complementary anvil can be configured to have a corresponding arrangement of staple-forming pockets. Moreover, the staple-forming pockets in the complementary anvils can be larger than the staple cavities in an effort to facilitate the staple legs land or fall within the staple-forming pockets. For example, the staple legs may be biased outward, such as in the case of V-shaped staples (see  FIG. 42 ) and the larger footprint of the staple-forming pockets can catch the outwardly-biased staple legs during firing. In various instances, the staple-forming pockets can be 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches longer than the corresponding staple cavities and/or staples. Additionally or alternatively, the staple-receiving cups of each staple-forming pocket can be 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches wider than the corresponding staple cavities. In other instances, the difference in length and/or width can be less than 0.005 inches or more than 0.015 inches. 
     In instances in which the size of the staples varies within a staple cartridge, the size of the staple-forming pockets can corresponding vary within a complementary anvil. Varying the size of the staple-forming pockets can further facilitate the nesting thereof. For example, in instances in which staple-forming pockets in an intermediate row are shorter than the staple-forming pockets in an inner row or an outer row, the width of the intermediate row of staple-forming pockets can be reduced, which can minimize the requisite spacing between the inner row and the outer row. 
     The spacing of the staple-forming pockets can also be configured to optimize the nesting thereof. For example, the pockets arranged in an inner row can be longitudinally staggered relative to the pockets arranged in an outer row. Moreover, the pockets in the inner row can partially longitudinally overlap the pockets in the outer row. The pockets in an intermediate row can be longitudinally staggered relative to the pockets in the inner row and the pockets in the outer row. For example, the pockets in the intermediate row can be equidistantly longitudinally offset from the pockets in the outer row and the pockets in the inner row. 
       FIGS. 43-46  depict an anvil or portions of an anvil  6000 . In the illustrated example, the anvil  6000  includes an elongate body portion  6010  and an anvil mounting portion  6020 . See  FIG. 43 . The anvil mounting portion  6020  in this example includes a pair of anvil trunnions or pivot members  6022  that facilitate pivotal support of the anvil  6000  on an elongate channel that supports a staple cartridge therein in the various manners discussed herein. A pair of tissue stops  6024  extend downward from the anvil mounting portion  6020  and serve to properly locate or orient the target tissue clamped between the anvil and the staple cartridge relative to the proximal most staples stored within the cartridge. Such arrangement serves to ensure that the proximal staples are first fired into the target tissue before the tissue gets severed by the tissue cutting edge on the firing member. An elongate slot  6026  extends along the longitudinal axis LA through the anvil mounting portion  6020  and the elongate body portion  6010  to facilitate passage of the knife or firing member therethrough. 
     The anvil body  6010  includes a staple-forming undersurface generally designated as  6030  through which the elongate slot  6026  passes. The staple-forming undersurface  6030  serves to form ledges  6032 ,  6034  on each side of the slot  6026  within the anvil body  6010  for sliding engagement by protrusions formed on or attached to the knife of firing member that passes through the slot  6026  during the staple firing and tissue cutting processes. The staple-forming undersurface  6030  comprises planar surface portions  6040  that may be referred to herein as “non-forming surface portions” on each side of the slot  6026  that each have a plurality of staple-forming pockets  6060  formed therein. See  FIG. 44 . The anvil  6000  is generally complementary to the particular staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel. For example, the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  6060  in the anvil  6000  can correspond to the arrangement of staples and staple cavities in the staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel. The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  6030  can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming surface portions  6040  of the anvil  6000  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  6060 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  6060  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  6030  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the staple-forming pockets  6060  depicted in  FIGS. 43-46  are arranged in three rows  6050   a ,  6050   b ,  6050   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  6026 . The first row  6050   a  is an outer row, the second row  6050   b  is an intermediate row and third row  6050   c  is an inner row. Outer pockets  6060   a  are positioned in the outer row  6050   a , intermediate pockets  6060   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  6050   b , and inner pockets  6060   c  are positioned in the inner row  6050   c  that is closest the slot  6026 . The pockets  6060   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  6030  of the anvil  6000 . In at least one instance, the pockets  6060   a - c  on the opposing side of the slot  6026  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  6060   a - c  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  6026 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  6060  in the staple-forming undersurface  6030  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  6026  and, in certain instances, the anvil  6000  may not include the longitudinal slot  6026 . In various instances, the pockets  6060  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  6026 . 
     Each pocket  6060   a - c  lies along a corresponding pocket axis and includes a perimeter  6062   a - c , which defines the boundary of the pocket  6064   a - c . Each pocket  6060   a - c  also includes a proximal cup or end  6066   a - c , a distal cup or end  6068   a - c , and a neck portion  6070   a - c  connecting the proximal cup  6066   a - c  and the distal cup  6068   a - c . A proximal forming groove or staple guiding groove  6072   a - c  is provided in each proximal cup  6066   a - c  and a distal forming groove or staple guiding groove  6074   a - c  is provided in each distal cup  6069   a - c . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  6030  for example, the proximal cup  6066   a - c  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  6068   a - c  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The tips of the staple legs are positioned and configured to land in the respective cups  6066   a - c ,  6068   a - c . Stated differently, the proximal cup  6066   a - c  is configured to receive a proximal staple leg and the distal cup  6068   a - c  is configured to receive a distal staple leg of a corresponding staple. The cups  6066   a - c  and  6068   a - c  as well as the forming grooves  6072   a - c ,  6074   a - c  are also configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the pocket axis and a central portion of the pocket  6060   a - c , such as the neck portion  6070   a - c , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     The geometry, spacing, and/or orientation of the pockets  6060   a - c  can vary row-to-row. The pocket axis extends from the proximal cup  6066   a - c , through the neck portion  6070   a - c , and to the distal cup  6068   a - c  of each pocket  6060   a - c . The pockets  6060   a - c  in each respective row are parallel to each other. For example, the outer or first pockets  6060   a  are oriented at an angle A relative to the longitudinal axis LA. See  FIG. 45 . Stated differently, the first pocket axes (e.g., FPA) of the outer pockets  6060   a  are oriented at the angle A relative to the longitudinal axis LA. The intermediate pockets  6060   b  are oriented at an angle B relative to the longitudinal axis LA. Stated differently, the second pocket axes SPA of the intermediate pockets  6060   b  are oriented at the angle B relative to the longitudinal axis LA. The inner or third pockets  6060   c  are oriented at an angle C relative to the longitudinal axis LA. Stated differently, the third pocket axes TPA of the inner pockets  6060   c  are oriented at the angle C relative to the longitudinal axis LA. See  FIG. 45 . 
     The angles A, B, and C may be different. In the illustrated example, the outer pockets  6060   a  are approximately parallel relative to the inner pockets  6060   c . The angle A is approximately equal to the angle C. That is the first pocket axis FPA is approximately parallel to the third pocket axis TPA. The second pocket axis SPA is transverse to the first pocket axis FPA and the third pocket axis TPA, for example, such that the staple-forming pockets  6060   a - c  in the anvil  6000  form a herringbone pattern. The pockets  6060   a - c  may be of equal length or they may have different lengths. The lengths of the pockets  6060   a - c , for example, can be selected to optimize the nesting of the pockets  6060   a - c . For example, the outer pockets  6060   a  can be longitudinally staggered relative to the inner pockets  6060   c . In at least one arrangement for example, the proximal cup  6066   b  of at least some of the forming pockets  6060   b  in the second or intermediate row  6050   b  of forming pockets is adjacent to a distal cup  6068   c  of an adjacent out forming pocket  6060   c  in the third or outer row  6050   c  of forming pockets as shown in  FIG. 45 . Likewise, a distal cup  6068   b  of at least some of the forming pockets  6060   b  in the second or intermediate row  6050   b  of forming pockets  6060   b  are adjacent to a portion of the neck  6070   a  as well as the proximal cup  6066   a  of an adjacent forming cup  6060   a  in the first or outer line of forming pockets  6060   a . The arrangement of pockets  6060   a - c  may be configured to nest the pockets  6060   a - c  such that the pockets  6060   a - c  fit within a predefined space. For example, in certain instances, the width of the anvil  6000  can be minimized or otherwise restrained to fit within a surgical trocar and/or within a narrow surgical field, and the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  6060   a - c  (and the corresponding arrangement of staples and/or staple cavities) can fit within a narrow anvil. 
     The anvil  6000  may be further provided with tissue stabilization features and features that may enhance the likelihood of the proper formation of the staples as they are fired into their corresponding forming pockets  6060   a - c . For example, as can be seen in  FIGS. 44 and 45 , a plurality of anvil projections  6080  protrude upward from the planar non-forming surface portions  6040  of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 . In at least one circumstance, an outer or first anvil protrusion  6080  is formed around each proximal end or cup  6066   a  of each forming pocket  6060   a  in the first or outer row  6050   a  of forming pockets  6060   a . In the illustrated arrangement, such first anvil protrusion  6080  may be integrally formed into the non-forming surface portions  6040  by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the first anvil protrusion  6080  protrude from the planar non-forming surface portions  6040 . In at least one circumstance, a first anvil protrusion  6080  extends around at least a portion of the proximal cup  6066   a  in the corresponding first forming pocket  6060   a . The first anvil protrusion  6080  may also extend around at least a portion of a distal cup  6068   b  of the adjacent forming pocket  6060   b  as well as around at least a portion of the proximal cup  6066   c  of an adjacent forming pocket  6060   c  as shown in  FIG. 45 . Likewise, an inner or second anvil protrusion  6090  is formed around at least a portion of each distal end or cup  6068   c  of each forming pocket  6060   c  in the third or outer  6050   c  of forming pockets  6060   c . In the illustrated arrangement, such second anvil protrusion  6090  may be integrally formed into the non-forming planar surface portions  6040  by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the second anvil protrusions  6090  protrude from the planar non-forming surface portions  6040 . In at least one circumstance, a second anvil protrusion  6090  extends around at least a portion of the distal cup  6068   c  in the corresponding third forming pocket  6060   c . The second anvil protrusion  6090  may also extend around at least a portion of a proximal cup  6066   b  of the adjacent forming pocket  6060   b  as well as around at least a portion of the distal cup  6068   a  of an adjacent first forming pocket  6060   a  as shown in  FIG. 45 . 
     In at least one example, the first and second anvil protrusions  6080 ,  6090  may be formed with at least one “contoured” staple guiding surface. The anvil  6000  depicted in  FIG. 45  comprises contoured surfaces or staple-guiding facets or surfaces  6082 ,  6084 ,  6092 ,  6094 . As used in this context, the term “contoured” is intended to encompass any surface that does not extend at a right angle (ninety degrees or about ninety degrees) relative to the planar non-forming surface  6040 . The term “contoured” may encompass a radiused surface as well as an angled surface or facet oriented at an acute angle (less than ninety degrees) relative to the planar non-forming surface  6040 . 
     In the illustrated arrangement, with respect to a first anvil protrusion  6080 , the first contoured forming surface  6082  angles inward from an upper surface  6081  of the protrusion and extends around a first portion of the perimeter of the corresponding proximal cup  6066   a . The first contoured forming surface  6082  transitions to an outer surface that extends around a first end of a distal cup  6068   b  of an adjacent forming pocket  6060   b . The first contoured surface  6082  then transitions to an internal angled surface extending around an end of a proximal cup  6066   c  of an adjacent staple-forming pocket  6060   c  as shown in  FIG. 45 , for example. Still referring to  FIG. 45 , a surface  6083  also angles from the upper surface  6081  of the first anvil protrusion  6080 . The surface  6083  forms an outer surface extending around the end of proximal cup  6066   a  and then transitions into an inner angled surface that extends around the distal cup  6068   b . The surface  6083  then transitions to an upper surface that extends around the proximal cup  6066   c  as shown in  FIG. 45 . The anvil  6000  may be used in connection with surgical staple cartridges that have atraumatic extenders on the deck surfaces thereof, such as cartridge  4000  described above, for example. In such instances, the anvil protrusions may be aligned or substantially aligned or approximately aligned with a corresponding atraumatic extender or extenders on the cartridge. In other anvil arrangements, the anvil protrusions may be oriented so as to not be aligned or be misaligned or approximately misaligned with the atraumatic extenders on the staple cartridge. In still other arrangements, the anvil  6000  may be used in connection with staple cartridges that do not have atraumatic extenders. 
     The staple-forming undersurface  6030  further includes a plurality of second anvil protrusions  6090  protruding therefrom. With respect to a second anvil protrusion  6090 , a first contoured forming surface  6092  angles inward from an upper surface  6091  and extends a round a portion of the perimeter of the corresponding distal cup  6068   a . The first outer surface  6092  transitions to an outer surface that angles inwardly adjacent to a portion of the staple-forming pocket  6060   c . As can be seen in  FIG. 45 , the surface  6092  extends around a portion of the distal  6068   c  wherein it is truncated at the edge of the cartridge body. An additional portion  6096  of a second anvil protrusion  6060  is formed adjacent the other side of the perimeter of distal cup  6068   c  as shown. An inner surface portion  6092  angles inward toward to the perimeter of the distal cup  6068   c  as shown. Thus, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 43-46 , anvil protrusions are formed or at least extend around each forming cup portion of each staple-forming pocket  6060   a - c  on the staple-forming undersurfaces  6030  located on both sides of the elongate slot  6026  in the cartridge body  6010 . Such protruding anvil formations  6080 ,  6090  may serve to stabilize the tissue being stapled and the angled surfaces may also help guide the staple legs of the corresponding staples into the cups of the proper staple-forming pockets during stapling. Such use of anvil formations or tissue stabilization features on an anvil to stabilize the tissue being cut and staples may be particularly advantageous for anvil arrangements with herringbone pocket configurations designed to attain or form flexible staple lines. 
       FIGS. 47-49  depict an anvil  6000 ′ that is similar to anvil  6000  discussed above, except for the differences discussed herein. Referring primarily to  FIG. 47 , the anvil  6000 ′ includes an elongate body portion  6010 ′ and an anvil mounting portion  6020 ′. The anvil mounting portion  6020 ′ in this example includes a pair of anvil trunnions or pivot members  6022 ′ that facilitate pivotal support of the anvil  6000 ′ on an elongate channel that supports a staple cartridge therein in the various manners discussed herein. A pair of tissue stops  6024 ′ extend downward from the anvil mounting portion  6020 ′ and serve to properly locate or orient the target tissue clamped between the anvil and the staple cartridge relative to the proximal most staples stored within the cartridge. Such arrangement serves to ensure that the proximal staples are first fired into the target tissue before the tissue gets severed by the tissue cutting edge on the firing member. An elongate slot  6026 ′ extends along the longitudinal axis LA through the anvil mounting portion  6020 ′ and the elongate body portion  6010 ′ to facilitate passage of the knife or firing member therethrough. 
     The anvil body  6010 ′ includes a staple-forming undersurface generally designated as  6030 ′ through which the elongate slot  6026 ′ passes. The staple-forming undersurface  6030  ‘serves to form ledges  6032 ’,  6034 ′ on each side of the slot  6026 ′ within the anvil body  6010 ′ for sliding engagement by protrusions formed on or attached to the knife of firing member that passes through the slot  6026 ′ during the staple firing and tissue cutting processes. The staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ comprises planar portions  6040 ′ ( FIG. 48 ) that may be referred to herein as “non-forming surface portions” on each side of the slot  6026 ′ that each have a plurality of staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ formed therein. The anvil  6000 ′ is generally complementary to the particular staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel. For example, the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ in the anvil  6000 ′ can correspond to the arrangement of staples and staple cavities in the staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel. The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portions  6040 ′ of the anvil  6000 ′ can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′. Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ depicted in  FIGS. 47-49  are arranged in three rows  6050   a ′,  6050   b ′,  6050   c ′ on a first side of the longitudinal slot  6026 ′. See  FIG. 48 . The first row  6050   c ′ is an inner row, the second row  6050   b ′ is an intermediate row and third row  6050   a ′ is an outer row. Inner pockets  6060   c ′ are positioned in the inner row  6050   c ′, intermediate pockets  6060   b ′ are positioned in the intermediate row  6050   b ′, and outer pockets  6060   c ′ are positioned in the outer row  6050   c ′. The pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ of the anvil  6000 ′. In at least one instance, the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ on the opposing side of the slot  6026 ′ can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ on the first side of the longitudinal slot  6026 ′. In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ in the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  6026 ′ and, in certain instances, the anvil  6000 ′ may not include the longitudinal slot  6026 ′. In various instances, the pockets  6060 ′ can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  6026 ′. 
     Each pocket  6060   a ′- c ′ includes a perimeter  6062   a ′- c ′, which defines the boundary of the pocket  6060   a ′- c ′. Each pocket  6060   a ′- c ′ also includes a proximal cup or end  6066   a ′- c ′, a distal cup or end  6068   a ′- c ′, and a neck portion  6070   a ′- c ′ connecting the proximal cup  6066   a ′- c ′ and the distal cup  6068   a ′- c ′. A proximal forming groove  7072   a ′- c ′ is provided in each proximal cup  6066   a ′- c ′ and a distal forming groove  6074   a ′- c ′ is provided in each distal cup  6068   a ′- c ′. When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′ for example, the proximal cup  6066   a ′- c ′ is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  6068   a ′- c ′ is aligned with a distal staple leg. The tips of the staple legs are positioned and configured to land in the respective cups  6066   a ′- c ′,  6068   a ′- c ′. Stated differently, the proximal cup  6066   a ′- c ′ is configured to receive a proximal staple leg and the distal cup  6068   a ′- c ′ is configured to receive a distal staple leg of a corresponding staple. The cups  6066   a ′- c ′ and  6068   a ′- c ′ as well as the forming grooves  6072   a ′- c ′,  6074   a ′- c ′ are also configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the pocket axis and a central portion of the pocket  6060   a ′- c ′, such as the neck portion  6070   a ′- c ′, and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     The geometry, spacing, and/or orientation of the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ can vary row-to-row. A pocket axis extends from the proximal cup  6066   a ′- c ′, through the neck portion  6070   a ′- c ′, and to the distal cup  6068   a ′- c ′ of each pocket  6060   a ′- c ′. The pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ in each respective row are parallel. For example, the outer pockets  6060   a ′ are oriented at an angle A′ relative to the longitudinal axis LA. Each outer or first pocket  6060   a ′ line along a first pocket axis FPA&#39; axis that is oriented at the angle A relative to the longitudinal axis LA. The intermediate pockets  6060   b ′ are oriented at an angle B relative to the longitudinal axis LA. Each second pocket  6060   b ′ lies along a second pocket axis SPA&#39; that is oriented at the angle B′ relative to the longitudinal axis LA. The inner or third pockets  6060   c ′ are oriented at an angle C′ relative to the longitudinal axis LA. Each inner pocket  6060   c ′ lies along a third pocket axis TPA&#39; that is oriented at the angle C′ relative to the longitudinal axis LA. 
     The angles A′, B′, and C′ may be different. In the illustrated example, the first or inner pockets  6060   a ′ are approximately parallel relative to the outer pockets  6060   c ′. The angle A′ is approximately equal to the angle C′. That is, the first pocket axis FPA is approximately parallel to the third pocket axis TPA. The second pocket axis SPA is transverse to the first pocket axis FPA and the third pocket axis TPA, for example such that the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ in the anvil  6000 ′ form a herringbone pattern. The pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ may be of equal length or they may have different lengths. The lengths of the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′, for example, can be selected to optimize the nesting of the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′. For example, the inner pockets  6060   a ′ can be longitudinally staggered relative to the outer pockets  6060   c ′. In at least one arrangement for example, the proximal cup  6066   b ′ of at least some of the forming pockets  6060   b ′ in the second or intermediate row  6050   b ′ of forming pockets  6060   b ′ is adjacent to a distal cup  6068   c ′ of an adjacent forming pocket  6060   c ′ in the third or outer row  6050   c ′ of forming pockets as shown in  FIG. 48 . Likewise, a distal cup  6068   b ′ of at least some of the forming pockets  6060   b ′ in the second or intermediate row  6050   b ′ of forming pockets  6060   b ′ are adjacent to a portion of the neck  6070   a ′ as well as the proximal cup  6066   a ′ of an adjacent forming cup  6060   a ′ in the first or inner line of forming pockets  6060   a ′. The arrangement of pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ may be configured to nest the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ such that the pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ fit within a predefined space. For example, in certain instances, the width of the anvil  6000 ′ can be minimized or otherwise restrained to fit within a surgical trocar and/or within a narrow surgical field, and the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′ (and the corresponding arrangement of staples and/or staple cavities) can fit within a narrow anvil. 
     The anvil  6000 ′ may be further provided with tissue stabilization features and features that may enhance the likelihood of the proper formation of the staples as they are fired into their correspond forming pockets  6060   a ′- c ′. Examples of anvil protrusions are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,014, filed Jun. 30, 2014, entitled END EFFECTOR COMPRISING AN ANVIL INCLUDING PROJECTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2015/0297234, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 48 , a plurality of outer or first anvil protrusions  7000  are formed to protrude upward from the planar non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′. In at least one circumstance, a first anvil protrusion  7000  is formed adjacent a proximal side of each staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ in the outer row  6050   a ′ of staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′. In the illustrated example, each first anvil protrusion  7000  is formed adjacent a corresponding first staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ and a portion of the elongate slot  6026 ′. The first anvil protrusions  7000  may be advantageously sized and shape to enhance tissue stability during the clamping and stapling process and/or serve to enhance the likelihood of the corresponding staple being properly formed during stapling. For example, each first anvil protrusion  7000  may be shaped and sized so as to enhance and guide the staple leg of a corresponding staple into that portion of the staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ into forming contact with the corresponding portion of the proximal cup portion  6066   a ′. In the illustrated arrangement, the first anvil protrusions  7000  may be integrally formed into the staple-forming undersurface  6040 ′ by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the protrusion  7000  protrudes from the planar surface  6040 ′. In at least one circumstance, a first anvil protrusion  7000  comprises a polyhedron shape with four “first” sides  7002 ,  7004 ,  7006 ,  7008 . The two ends  7002 ,  7004  are triangular-shaped flat surfaces. The two sides  7006 ,  7008  extend between the ends  7002 ,  7004  and intersect therewith to form a straight line  7009 . The longer side  7008  is adjacent to the proximal cup  6066   a ′ and extends to the neck portion  6070   a ′. See  FIG. 48 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 48 , the anvil  6000 ′ may further include a plurality of second anvil protrusions  7010  that are formed to protrude upward from the planar non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′. In at least one circumstance, a second anvil protrusion  7010  is formed between a proximal end of a corresponding staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ and a distal end of another corresponding staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ in the line of staple-forming pockets  6050   a ′. In addition, the second anvil protrusion  7010  may extend along a side of an adjacent staple-forming pocket  6060   b ′ as shown. The second anvil protrusions  7010  may be advantageously sized and shaped to enhance tissue stability during the clamping and stapling process and/or serve to enhance the likelihood of the corresponding staple being properly formed during stapling. For example, each second anvil protrusion  7010  may be shaped and sized so as to enhance and guide the staple legs of staples into corresponding portions of the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′ and  6060   b ′. In the illustrated arrangement, the second anvil protrusions  7010  may be integrally formed into the staple-forming undersurface  6040 ′ by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the second anvil protrusion  7010  protrudes from the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′. In at least one circumstance, a second anvil protrusion  7010  comprises a polyhedron shape with four “second” sides  7012 ,  7014 ,  7016 ,  7018 . The two ends  7012 ,  7014  are triangular-shaped flat surfaces. The two sides  7016 ,  7018  extend between the ends  7012 ,  7014  and intersect therewith to form a straight line  7019 . The side  7018  is adjacent to one side of the distal cup  6068   b ′ and a portion of a proximal cup  6066   b ′ of an adjacent staple-forming pocket  6060   b ′ as shown. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 48 , the anvil  6000 ′ may further include a plurality of third anvil protrusions  7020  that protrude upward from the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′. In at least one circumstance, third anvil protrusion  7020  is formed between a proximal end of a corresponding staple-forming pocket  6060   c ′ and a distal end of another corresponding staple-forming pocket  6060   a ′ in the line of staple-forming pockets  6050   a ′ as well as between a proximal cup  6066   b ′ of a staple-forming pocket  6060   b ′ and a distal cup  6068   b ′ of another staple-forming pocket  6060   b ′ in a line of staple-forming pockets  6050   b ′ as shown. The third anvil protrusions  7020  may be advantageously sized and shaped to enhance tissue stability during the clamping and stapling process and/or serve to enhance the likelihood of the corresponding staple being properly formed during stapling. For example, each third anvil protrusion  7020  may be shaped and sized so as to enhance and guide the staple legs of staples into corresponding portions of the staple-forming pockets  6060   a ′,  6060   b ′ and  6060   c ′. In the illustrated arrangement, the third anvil protrusions  7020  may be integrally formed into the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the third anvil protrusion  7020  protrudes from the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′. In at least one circumstance, a third anvil protrusion  7020  comprises a polyhedron shape with four “third” sides  7022 ,  7024 ,  7026 ,  7028 . The two ends  7022 ,  7024  are triangular-shaped flat surfaces. In one arrangement, sides  7022 ,  2024  are identical to each other. The two sides  7026 ,  7028  extend between the ends  7022 ,  7024  and intersect therewith to form a straight line  7029 . The sides  7026 ,  7028  may be identical to each other. 
     Also in the example depicted in  FIG. 48 , a plurality of fourth anvil protrusions  7030  protrude upward from the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ of the staple-forming undersurface  6030 ′. In various circumstances, the fourth anvil protrusions  7030  may be identical in size and shape to the second anvil projections  7010 . In at least one circumstance, a fourth anvil protrusion  7030  comprises a polyhedron shape with four “fourth” sides  7032 ,  7034 ,  7036 ,  7038 . For example, end  7034  may be formed adjacent to a side of a proximal cup  6066   c ′ of a staple-forming pocket  6060   c ′ and end  7032  may be formed adjacent a portion of a distal cup  6068   c ′ of an adjacent staple-forming pocket  6060   c ′ in the line  6050   c ′ of forming pockets  6060   c ′. Side  7038  may be formed adjacent to a side of a proximal cup  6066   b ′ of an adjacent staple-forming pocket  6060   b ′ as shown. The sides  7032 ,  7034 ,  7036 ,  7038  intersect to form a line  7039 . The fourth anvil protrusions  7030  may be advantageously sized and shaped to enhance tissue stability during the clamping and stapling process and/or serve to enhance the likelihood of the corresponding staple being properly formed during stapling. For example, each fourth anvil protrusion  7030  may be shaped and sized so as to enhance and guide the staple legs of staples into corresponding portions of the staple-forming pockets  6060   c ′ and  6060   b ′. In the illustrated arrangement, the fourth anvil protrusions  7030  may be integrally formed into the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the protrusion  7030  protrudes therefrom. 
     The anvil  6000 ′ may further include a plurality of fifth anvil protrusions  7050 . As can be seen in  FIG. 48 , in at least one circumstance, an outer or fifth anvil protrusion  7050  is formed adjacent a proximal side of a distal cup  6068   c ′ of each staple-forming pocket  6060   c ′ in the outer row  6050   c ′ of staple-forming pockets  6060   c ′. The fifth anvil protrusions  7050  may be advantageously sized and shape to enhance tissue stability during the clamping and stapling process and/or serve to enhance the likelihood of the corresponding staple being properly formed during stapling. For example, each fifth anvil protrusion  7050  may be shaped and sized so as to enhance and guide the staple leg of a corresponding staple into that portion of the staple-forming pocket  6060   c ′ into forming contact with the corresponding portion of the proximal cup portion  6068   c ′. In the illustrated arrangement, the fifth anvil protrusions  7050  may be integrally formed in the non-forming surface portions  6040 ′ by stamping, pressing, coining, forging, molding, metal injection molding, electrochemical machining, etc. or attached thereto by welding, adhesive, etc. so that the fifth anvil protrusion  7050  protrudes therefrom. In at least one circumstance, a fifth anvil protrusion  7050  comprises a polyhedron shape with four triangular shaped sides  7052 ,  7054 ,  7056 ,  7058  that intersect to form a point  7059 . In the illustrated example, the first anvil protrusions  7000  may be arranged in a first line  7001   a  of first anvil protrusions  7000 . The second anvil protrusions  7010  may be arranged in a second line  7001   b  of second anvil protrusions  7010 . The third anvil protrusions  7020  may be arranged in a third line  7001   c  of third anvil protrusions  7020 . The fourth anvil protrusions  7030  may be arranged in a fourth line  7001   d  of fourth anvil protrusions  7030 . The fifth anvil protrusions  7050  may be arranged in a fifth line  7001   e  of anvil protrusions  7050 . 
     The first sides  7002 ,  7004 ,  7006 ,  7008  and the second sides  7012 ,  7014 ,  7016 ,  7018 , as well as the third sides  7022 ,  7024 ,  7026 ,  7028 , and the fourth sides  7032 ,  7034 ,  7036 ,  7038  as well as the fifth sides  7052 ,  7054 ,  7056 ,  7058  may all be oriented at the same acute side angle SA relative to the planar non-forming surface  6040 ′. The first sides  7002 ,  7004 ,  7006 ,  7008  and the second sides  7012 ,  7014 ,  7016 ,  7018  as well as the third sides  7022 ,  7024 ,  7026 ,  7028 , and the fourth sides  7032 ,  7034 ,  7036 ,  7038  as well as the fifth sides  7052 ,  7054 ,  7056 ,  7058  may be oriented at different acute angles or combinations of different acute angles SA and SA&#39; ( FIG. 49 ) relative to the planar non-forming surface  6040 ′. 
     In various circumstances, the anvil protrusions may be formed on the staple-forming under surface so as to protrude upward from the planar sections thereof to form a plurality of staple-guiding surfaces that correspond with the staple-forming pockets to guide the legs of corresponding staples therein which may ultimately lead to better formed and more consistently properly formed staples. Such anvil protrusions protrude above the anvil forming pockets and angle toward the perimeters thereof so that when contacted by the end of an errant staple leg during the stapling process, the anvil protrusion will urge or encourage the errant staple leg into the proper cup portion of the staple-forming pocket so as to be properly formed. Such anvil protrusions may be formed with one or more angled surface strategically positioned adjacent at least a portion of a corresponding staple-forming pocket. The anvil protrusion may have multiple angled surfaces, wherein the surfaces correspond to one or more staple-forming pockets in the anvil. The anvil protrusions may be formed from the same material comprising the staple-forming undersurface. The various surfaces of the anvil protrusions may be treated to reduce friction when contacted by staple legs (e.g., coated with friction reducing coating, polished, etc.). 
     The entire staple-forming under surface or a large portion of the staple-forming undersurface may be covered with anvil protrusions sized and designed to enhance and guide the staple legs of staples into corresponding portions of the staple-forming pockets. A plurality of anvil protrusions may be employed. The anvil protrusions may be identical in size and shape or they may be different in sizes and shapes. The anvil protrusions may be sized and shaped to completely fill in the portions of the anvil forming surface between the staple-forming pockets or to fill in a majority of such spaces. The various anvil protrusions may be sized and shaped to correspond to a variety of different staple-forming pocket shapes and configurations, many of which are disclosed herein as well as in the various references incorporated herein in their respective entireties. The anvil protrusion arrangements disclosed herein may be used with staple-forming pockets arranged in herringbone configurations as well as conventional non-herringbone arrangements. 
     The various anvil protrusions arrangements and configurations disclosed herein may also be effectively used in connection with anvil arrangements that employ “stepped” staple-forming undersurfaces. Such “stepped” anvil arrangements are used in connection with staple cartridges that have “stepped” decks. A stepped anvil may have two forming surfaces that are not located on a common plane. The anvil protrusions disclosed herein is distinguishable from a stepped deck arrangement, as the anvil protrusions extend above the deck surface itself and angle toward a corresponding portion of a perimeter of a corresponding staple-forming pocket. As used in this context, the term “angle” means an acute angle that is less than 90 degrees extending from the planar non-forming surface. Other anvil projection arrangements, may employ radiused surfaces instead of planar angled surfaces to help guide staple legs into the adjacent forming pockets. Such anvil projections may also improve the stability of the tissue that is clamped between the anvil and staple cartridge and ultimately stapled and cut. 
     The various anvils described herein that include the anvil protrusions and tissue stabilization features may be used in connection with surgical staple cartridges that have atraumatic extenders on the deck surfaces thereof, such as cartridge  4000  described above, for example. In such instances, the anvil protrusions may be aligned or substantially aligned or approximately aligned with a corresponding atraumatic extender or extenders on the cartridge. In other anvil arrangements, the anvil protrusions may be oriented so as to avoid alignment or direct alignment with the atraumatic extenders on the staple cartridge. In still other arrangements, the anvils may be used in connection with staple cartridges that do not have atraumatic extenders, for example. 
       FIG. 50  illustrates a portion of an anvil  7100  that may be otherwise identical to anvil  6000 , except for the different arrangement of staple-forming pockets  7160 , for example. Similar to the anvil  6000 , the pockets  7160  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  7130  of the anvil  7100 . The anvil  7100  includes a staple-forming undersurface  7130  and a longitudinal slot  7126 . The longitudinal slot  7126  extends along the longitudinal axis LA of the anvil  7100 . In certain instances, a firing element and/or a cutting element can translate through the longitudinal slot  7126  during at least a portion of a firing stroke. The staple-forming pockets  7160  are defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7130 . The staple-forming undersurface  7130  also includes a non-forming portion  7140  that extends around the pockets  7160 . The non-forming portion  7140  extends entirely around each pocket  7160 . In other words, the non-forming portion  7140  surrounds the staple-forming pockets  7160 . In other instances, at least a portion of two or more adjacent pockets  7160  can be in abutting contact such that a non-forming portion  7140  is not positioned therebetween. 
     The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  7130  can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  7140  of the anvil  7100  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  7160 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  7160  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  7130  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     The pockets  7160  depicted in  FIG. 50  are arranged in an inner row  7150   a , an intermediate row  7150   b , and an outer row  7150   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  7126 . Inner pockets  7160   a  are positioned in the inner row  7150   a , intermediate pockets  7160   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  7150   b , and outer pockets  7160   c  are positioned in the outer row  7150   c . Although not shown in  FIG. 50 , in at least one instance, the pockets  7160  on the opposing side of the slot  7126  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  7160  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  7126 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  7160  in the staple-forming undersurface  7130  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  7126  and, in certain instances, the anvil  7100  may not include the longitudinal slot  7126 . In various instances, the pockets  7160  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  7126 . 
     The inner pockets  7160   a  are identical, the intermediate pockets  7160   b  are identical, and the outer pockets  7160   c  are identical; however, the inner pockets  7160   a  may be slightly different than the intermediate pockets  7160   b  and the outer pockets  7160   c , and the intermediate pockets  7160   b  may be slightly different than the outer pockets  7160   c . In other words, the pockets  7160  in each row  7150   a ,  7150   b , and  7150   c  may be slightly different or they may be the same or for the purposes of explanation, substantially the same. In other instances, the pockets  7160  in two or more of the rows can be the same. For example, the inner pockets  7160   a  can be the same as the outer pockets  7160   c . Extended landing zones  7170  and  7172  of the pockets  7160   a ,  7160   b , and  7160   c , which are described herein, can contribute to the different geometries thereof. Moreover, the shape and size of the extended landing zones  7170  and  7172  are confined by the perimeter  7161  of the adjacent, nested pockets  7160 . The landing zones  7170  and  7172  define a polygonal profile and include linear and contoured portions. 
     The pockets  7160  can be configured to form staples to the same, or substantially the same, formed shape. In other instances, the pockets  7160  can be configured to form staples to different formed shapes, such as to different heights and/or configurations. In certain instances, the pockets  7160  can vary longitudinally within each row  7150   a ,  7150   b , and  7150   c . For example, in certain instances, the depth of the pockets  7160  or portions thereof can vary along the length of the anvil  7100  to accommodate for variations in gap distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge along the length of an end effector and/or tissue flow, as described herein. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 50 , pocket  7160   a  has a first end, or proximal end,  7165   a  and a second end, or distal end,  7167   a . A first pocket axis FPA extends between the proximal end  7165   a  and the distal end  7167   a  of the pocket  7160   a . The pocket  7160   a  includes a perimeter  7161 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7160   a . The perimeter  7161  includes linear portions and contoured portions. More specifically, the perimeter  7161  includes linear portions and contoured corners therebetween at which the linear portions change directions. In at least some arrangements, at least a portion of the perimeter  7161  of each pocket  7160  closely tracks or parallels at least a portion of the perimeter of one or more adjacent pockets  7160 . The rounded perimeter  7161  of the pocket  7160   a  can provide a smoother profile, which can be easier to coin and/or stamp in the staple-forming undersurface  7130  than pockets having sharp corners, for example. 
     The pocket  7160   a  includes a proximal cup  7166   a , a distal cup  7168   a , and a neck portion  7169  extending between the proximal cup  7166   a  and the distal cup  7168   a . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7130 , the proximal cup  7166   a  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7168   a  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7166   a ,  7168   a  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the pocket axis and the central portion of the pocket  7160   a , such as the neck portion  7169   a , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. Each cup  7166   a ,  7168   a  of the pocket  7160   a  defines an entrance ramp  7180  and an exit ramp  7182 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7166   a ,  7168   a  along the entrance ramp  7180  and exit the respective cup  7166   a ,  7168   a  along the exit ramp  7182 . At an apex between the entrance ramp  7180  and the exit ramp  7182 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. The pocket  7160   a  also defines a bridge  7186  in the neck portion  7169   a  between the proximal cup  7166   a  and the distal cup  7168   a . The bridge  7186  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7140 . More specifically, the bridge  7186  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7140 . Pockets  7160   b  and  7160   c  may be formed with the same configurations and characteristics as described herein with respect to pocket  7160   a . Such arrangement results in a reduction of the non-forming portions  7140  of the staple-forming undersurface  7130  and facilitates a nesting of the respective lines of pockets. Pockets  7160   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone pattern to thereby form a flexible staple line as described herein. In particular, each pocket  7160   b  lines along a corresponding second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first pocket axis FPA of the adjacent first pockets  7160   a . Each third pocket  7160   c  lies along a corresponding third pocket axis TPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. In at least one arrangement, the third pocket axes TPA are parallel to the first pocket axes FPA and transverse to the second pocket axes SPA. 
       FIG. 51  illustrates a portion of an anvil  7200  that may be otherwise identical to anvil  6000 , except for the different arrangement of staple-forming pockets  7260 , for example. Similar to the anvil  6000 , the pockets  7260  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  7230  of the anvil  7200 . The anvil  7200  includes a staple-forming undersurface  7230  and a longitudinal slot  7226 . The longitudinal slot  7226  extends along the longitudinal axis LA of the anvil  7200 . In certain instances, a firing element and/or a cutting element can translate through the longitudinal slot  7226  during at least a portion of a firing stroke. The staple-forming pockets  7260  are defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7230 . The staple-forming undersurface  7230  also includes a non-forming portion  7240  that extends around the pockets  7260 . The non-forming portion  7240  extends entirely around each pocket  7260 . In other words, the non-forming portion  7240  surrounds the staple-forming pockets  7260 . In other instances, at least a portion of two or more adjacent pockets  7260  can be in abutting contact such that a non-forming portion  7240  is not positioned therebetween. 
     The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  7230  can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  7240  of the anvil  7200  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  7260 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  7260  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  7230  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     The pockets  7260  depicted in  FIG. 51  are arranged in an inner row  7250   a , an intermediate row  7250   b , and an outer row  7250   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  7226 . Inner pockets  7260   a  are positioned in the inner row  7250   a , intermediate pockets  7260   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  7250   b , and outer pockets  7260   c  are positioned in the outer row  7250   c . Although not shown in  FIG. 51 , in at least one instance, the pockets  7260  on the opposing side of the slot  7226  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  7260  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  7226 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  7260  in the staple-forming undersurface  7230  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  7226  and, in certain instances, the anvil  7200  may not include the longitudinal slot  7226 . In various instances, the pockets  7260  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  7226 . 
     The inner pockets  7260   a  are identical, the intermediate pockets  7260   b  are identical, and the outer pockets  7260   c  are identical; however, the inner pockets  7260   a  may be different than the intermediate pockets  7260   b  and the outer pockets  7260   c , and the intermediate pockets  7260   b  may be different than the outer pockets  7260   c . In other words, the pockets  7260  in each row  7250   a ,  7250   b , and  7250   c  may be different. In other instances, the pockets  7260  in two or more of the rows can be the same. For example, the inner pockets  7260   a  can be the same as the outer pockets  7260   c . Extended landing zones  7270  and  7272  of the pockets  7260   a ,  7260   b , and  7260   c , which are described herein, can contribute to the different geometries thereof. Moreover, the shape and size of the extended landing zones  7270  and  7272  are confined by the perimeter  7261  of the adjacent, nested pockets  7260 . The landing zones  7270  and  7272  define a polygonal profile and include linear and contoured portions. 
     The pockets  7260  can be configured to form staples to the same, or substantially the same, formed shape. In other instances, the pockets  7260  can be configured to form staples to different formed shapes, such as to different heights and/or configurations. In certain instances, the pockets  7260  can vary longitudinally within each row  7250   a ,  7250   b , and  7250   c . For example, in certain instances, the depth of the pockets  7260  or portions thereof can vary along the length of the anvil  7200  to accommodate for variations in gap distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge along the length of an end effector and/or tissue flow, as described herein. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 51 , pocket  7260   a  has a first end, or proximal end  7265   a  and a second end, or distal end,  7267   a . A first pocket axis FPA extends between the proximal end  7265   a  and the distal end  7267   a  of the pocket  7260   a . The pocket  7260   a  includes a perimeter  7261 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7260   a . The perimeter  7261  includes linear portions and contoured portions. More specifically, the perimeter  7261  includes linear portions and contoured corners therebetween at which the linear portions change directions. In at least some arrangements, at least a portion of the perimeter  7261  of each pocket  7260  closely tracks or parallels at least a portion of the perimeter of one or more adjacent pockets  7260 . The rounded perimeter  7261  of the pocket  7260   a  can provide a smoother profile, which can be easier to coin and/or stamp in the staple-forming undersurface  7230  than pockets having sharp corners, for example. 
     The pocket  7260   a  includes a proximal cup  7266   a , a distal cup  7268   a , and a neck portion  7269  extending between the proximal cup  7266   a  and the distal cup  7268   a . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7230 , the proximal cup  7266   a  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7268   a  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7266   a ,  7268   a  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the first pocket axis FPA and the central portion of the pocket  7260   a , such as the neck portion  7269   a , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. Each cup  7266   a ,  7268   a  of the pocket  7260   a  defines an entrance ramp  7280  and an exit ramp  7282 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7266   a ,  7268   a  along the entrance ramp  7280  and exit the respective cup  7266   a ,  7268   a  along the exit ramp  7282 . At an apex between the entrance ramp  7280  and the exit ramp  7282 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. The pocket  7260   a  also defines a bridge  7286  in the neck portion  7269   a  between the proximal cup  7266   a  and the distal cup  7268   a . The bridge  7286  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7240 . More specifically, the bridge  7286  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7240 . Pockets  7260   b  and  7260   c  may be formed with the same configurations and characteristics as described herein with respect to pocket  7260   a . Such arrangement results in a reduction of the non-forming portions  7240  of the staple-forming undersurface  7230  and facilitates a nesting of the respective lines of pockets. Pockets  7260   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone pattern to thereby form a flexible staple line as described herein. In particular, each pocket  7260   b  lies along a corresponding second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first pocket axis FPA of the adjacent first pockets  7260   a . Each third pocket  7260   c  lies along a corresponding third pocket axis TPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. In at least one arrangement, the third pocket axes TPA are parallel to the first pocket axes FPA and transverse to the second pocket axes SPA. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 52 , staple-forming pockets  7360  in a portion of an anvil  7300  are depicted. The anvil  7300  includes a staple-forming undersurface  7330  and a longitudinal slot  7326 . The longitudinal slot  7326  extends along the longitudinal axis LA of the anvil  7300 . In certain instances, a firing element and/or cutting element can translate through the longitudinal slot  7326  during at least a portion of a firing stroke. The staple-forming pockets  7360  are defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7360 . The staple-forming undersurface  7330  also includes a non-forming portion  7340  that extends around the pockets  7360 . The non-forming portion  7340  extends entirely around each pocket  7360  in  FIG. 52 . In other words, the non-forming portion  7340  surrounds the staple-forming pockets  7360 . In other instances, at least a portion of two or more adjacent pockets  7360  can be in abutting contact such that a non-forming portion  7340  is not positioned therebetween. 
     The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  7330  can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  7340  of the anvil  7300  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  7360 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  7360  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  7340  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     The pockets  7360  depicted in  FIG. 52  are arranged in three rows  7350   a ,  7350   b ,  7350   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  7326 . The first row  7350   a  is an inner row, the second row  7350   b  is an intermediate row, and the third row  7350   c  is an outer row. Inner pockets  7360  are positioned in the inner row  7350   a , intermediate pockets  7360  are positioned in the intermediate row  7350   b , and outer pockets  7360  are positioned in the outer row  7350   c . Similar to the anvil  7200 , the pockets  7360  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  7330  of the anvil  7300 . Although not shown in  FIG. 52 , in at least one instance, the pockets  7360  on the opposing side of the slot  7326  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  7360  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  7326 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  7360  in the staple-forming undersurface  7330  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  7326  and, in certain instances, the anvil  7300  may not include the longitudinal slot  7326 . In various instances, the pockets  7360  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  7326 . 
     The pockets  7360  depicted in  FIG. 52  are identical to each other. Each pocket  7360  defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7330  has the same geometry. In other instances, the geometry of the pockets  7360  can vary row-to-row and/or longitudinally along the length of the anvil  7300 . For example, in certain instances, the depth of the pockets  7360  or portions thereof can vary along the length of the anvil  7300  to accommodate for variations in gap distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge along the length of an end effector and/or tissue flow, as described herein. In at least one arrangement, a pocket  7360  has a first end, or proximal end,  7365  and a second end, or distal end,  7367 . A first pocket axis FPA extends between the proximal end  7365  and the distal end  7367  in each of the pockets  7360  in the first line  7350   a . The pocket  7360  includes a perimeter  7361 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7360 . The pocket  7360  also includes a proximal cup  7366 , a distal cup  7368 , and a neck portion  7369  connecting the proximal cup  7366  and the distal cup  7368 . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7303 , the proximal cup  7366  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7368  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7366  and  7368  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the corresponding pocket axis and a central portion of the pocket  7360 , such as the neck portion  7369 , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 52 , each cup  7366 ,  7368  of the pocket  7360  defines an entrance ramp  7370  and an exit ramp  7372 . The exit ramp  7372  may be steeper than the entrance ramp  7330 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7366 ,  7368  along the entrance ramp  7370  and exit the respective cup  7366 ,  7368  along the exit ramp  7332 . At an apex area or parting line  7374  between the entrance ramp  7370  and the exit ramp  7372 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. The pocket  7360  also defines a bridge  7376  in the neck portion  7369  between the proximal cup  7366  and the distal cup  7368 . The bridge  7376  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7340  of the staple-forming undersurface  7330 . More specifically, the bridge  7376  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7340 . 
     In at least one example, a pocket  7360  includes sidewalls  7377 . In at least one arrangement, the sidewalls  7377  narrow linearly from the outer ends of each cup  7366 ,  7368  toward the neck portion  7369 . Consequently, the widest portion of the cups  7366 ,  7368  may be at the proximal and distal ends  7365 ,  7367  of the pocket  7360 , respectively. The widened region at the proximal and distal ends  7365 ,  7367  along with the side walls  7377  provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg. In various instances, the widened portions of the cups  7366  and  7368  define extended landing zones for receiving the staple tips. As the cups  7366 ,  7368  narrow toward the neck portion  7369 , the cups  7366 ,  7368  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis into a formed configuration. The pocket  7360  defines a chamfered edge  7378  along the sides of the pocket  7360 . The chamfered edge  7378  serves to enlarge the footprint of the pocket  7360  and guide the tips of the staple legs toward the pocket axis. In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket  7360  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7361  of the pocket  7360  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7360  is symmetric about a central axis CA through the neck portion  7369  and perpendicular to the pocket axis. For example, the perimeter  7361  of the pocket  7360  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  7366  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7368 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7366  can be different than the distal cup  7368 . In various circumstances, the width of the neck portion  7369  is less than the width of the cups  7366  and  7368 . Consequently, the central portion of the pocket  7360  is narrower than the proximal and distal cups  7366  and  7368 . 
     The geometry of the pockets  7360  facilitates the close arrangement of the pockets  7360  in the staple-forming undersurface  7330 . For example, because the pockets  7360  include a narrowed neck portion  7369  between two enlarged cups  7366  and  7368 , the enlarged cups  7366 ,  7368  of another pocket  7360  can be positioned adjacent to the narrowed neck portion  7369 . Consequently, the surface area of the staple-forming undersurface  7330  that is covered by the pockets  7360  can be optimized. For example, the surface area of the staple-forming undersurface  7330  that is covered by pockets  7360  is maximized. The “forming ratio” is the ratio of the non-forming portion  7340  to the forming portion, i.e., the pockets  7360 . In various instances, the forming ratio can be at least 1:1, for example. 
     In certain instances, though the pockets  7360  are positioned in close proximity to each other, because the neck portion  7369  narrows, there is space for the non-forming portion  7340  between adjacent pockets  7360 . For example, the non-forming portion  7340  can extend between the neck portion  7369  of a pocket  7360  in an inner row  7350   a  and the distal cup  7368  of an adjacent pocket  7360  in a second intermediate row  7350   b . The non-forming portion  7340  between adjacent pockets  7360  can provide sufficient spacing between pockets  7360  to strengthen and/or reinforce the anvil  7300 . Pockets  7360  are arranged in a herringbone pattern to thereby form a flexible staple line as described herein. In particular, each pocket  7360  in the first line  7350   a  lies along a corresponding first pocket axis FPA lies along a corresponding FPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each pocket  7360  in the second row  7350   b  of pockets  7360  lies along a corresponding second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first pocket axis FPA of the adjacent pockets  7360  in the first row  7350   a . Each pocket  7360  in the third row  7350   c  of pockets  7360  lies along a corresponding third pocket axis TPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. In at least one arrangement, the third pocket axes TPA are parallel to the first pocket axes FPA and transverse to the second pocket axes SPA. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 53 , staple-forming pockets  7460  in a portion of an anvil  7400  are depicted. The anvil  7400  includes a staple-forming undersurface  7430  and a longitudinal slot  7426 . The longitudinal slot  7426  extends along the longitudinal axis LA of the anvil  7400 . In certain instances, a firing element and/or cutting element can translate through the longitudinal slot  7426  during at least a portion of a firing stroke. The staple-forming pockets  7460  are defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7430 . The staple-forming undersurface  7430  also includes a non-forming portion  7440  that extends around the pockets  7460 . The non-forming portion  7440  extends entirely around each pocket  7460 . In other words, the non-forming portion  7440  surrounds the staple-forming pockets  7460 . In other instances, at least a portion of two or more adjacent pockets  7460  can be in abutting contact such that a non-forming portion  7440  is not positioned therebetween. Additionally, the non-forming portion  7440  extends through each pocket  7460 , as described herein. 
     The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface  7430  can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  7440  of the anvil  7400  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  7460 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  7460  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  7440  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     The pockets  7460  depicted in  FIG. 53  are arranged in an inner row  7450   a , an intermediate row  7450   b , and an outer row  7450   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  7426 . Inner pockets  7460  are positioned in the inner row  7450   a , intermediate pockets  7460  are positioned in the intermediate row  7450   b , and outer pockets  7460  are positioned in the outer row  7450   c . The pockets  7460  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  7430  of the anvil  7430 . Although not shown in  FIG. 53 , in at least one instance, the pockets  7460  on the opposing side of the slot  7426  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  7460  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  7426 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  7460  in the staple-forming undersurface  7430  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  7426  and, in certain instances, the anvil  7400  may not include the longitudinal slot  7426 . In various instances, the pockets  7460  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  7426 . 
     The pockets  7460  depicted in  FIG. 53  are identical to each other. Each pocket  7460  defined in the staple-forming undersurface  7430  has the same geometry. In other instances, the geometry of the pockets  7460  can vary row-to-row and/or longitudinally along the length of the anvil  7400 . For example, in certain instances, the depth of the pockets  7460  or portions thereof can vary along the length of the anvil  7400  to accommodate for variations in gap distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge along the length of an end effector and/or tissue flow, as described herein. In at least one example, a pocket  7460  has a first end, or proximal end,  7465  and a second end, or distal end,  7468 . A pocket axis extends between the proximal end  7465  and the distal end  7467  of the pocket  7460 . The pocket  7460  includes a perimeter  7461 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7460 . The perimeter  7461  includes rounded corners at the proximal and distal ends  7465  and  7467  of the pocket  7460 . The pocket  7460  also includes a proximal cup  7466  and a distal cup  7468 . A portion of the non-forming portion  7440  extends between the proximal cup  7466  and the distal cup  7468 . In other words, the pocket  7460  includes two separate and discrete cups  7466  and  7468  in the staple-forming undersurface  7430 . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7430 , the proximal cup  7466  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7468  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7466 ,  7468  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the pocket axis and a central portion of the pocket  7460  and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 53 , each cup  7466 ,  7468  of the pocket  7460  defines an entrance ramp  7480  and an exit ramp  7482 . The exit ramp  7482  is steeper than the entrance ramp  7480 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7466 ,  7468  along the entrance ramp  7480  and exit the respective cup  7466 ,  7468  along the exit ramp  7482 . At an apex  7484  between the entrance ramp  7480  and the exit ramp  7482 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. The pocket  7460  also defines a bridge  7486  between the proximal cup  7466  and the distal cup  7468 . The bridge  7486  is aligned with the non-forming portion  7440 . More specifically, the bridge  7486  is a planar extension of the non-forming portion  7440 , which extends between the proximal and distal cups  7466 ,  7468 . 
     In the illustrated example, each pocket  7460  includes a pair of sidewalls  7478  that are oriented at an angle relative to the non-forming portion  7440 . The angular orientation of the sidewalls  7478  may be constant along the length of each of the cups  7466 ,  7468 . The distance between the sidewalls  7478  narrows between the outer ends of each cup  7466 ,  7468  and inner ends of the cups  7466 ,  7468 . For example, the sidewalls  7478  extend along an inward contour to define a contour in the perimeter  7461  of the pocket  7460 . The widest portion of the cups  7466 ,  7468  is at the proximal and distal ends of the pocket  7460 . The widened region provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg. As the cups  7466 ,  7468  narrow toward the bridge  7486 , the sidewalls  7478  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis and into a formed configuration. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the pockets  7460  located in the first or inner row  7450   a  of pockets  7460  lie along a first pocket axis FPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each of the pockets  7460  in the second or intermediate row  7450   b  of pockets  7460  lie along a second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first pocket axes FPA. Each of the pockets in the outer or third row  7450   c  of pockets  7460  lie along a third pocket axis TPA that is parallel to the first pocket axes FPA in one arrangement or they may not be parallel to the first pocket axes, but are nonetheless transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each pocket  7460  is symmetric about its respective pocket axis. For example, the perimeter  7461  of the pocket  7460  is symmetric about the pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7460  is symmetric about a central axis CA between the proximal and distal cups  7466 ,  7468  and perpendicular to its respective the pocket axis. For example, the perimeter  7461  of the pocket  7460  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  74660  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7468 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7466  can be different than the distal cup  7468 . U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, filed Dec. 21, 2016, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168601, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses other pocket configurations that may be employed with the various anvil arrangements disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 54-57  illustrate other pocket configurations that may be employed with the various anvil arrangements disclosed herein. Turning to  FIG. 54 , the pocket  7560  includes a first or proximal end  7565  and a second end or distal end  7567 . A pocket axis PA extends between the proximal end  7565  and the distal end  7567 . The pocket  7560  includes a perimeter  7561 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7560 . The pocket  7560  also includes a proximal cup  7566 , a distal cup  7568 , and a neck portion  7569  connecting the proximal cup  7566  and the distal cup  7568 . Each cup  7566 ,  7568  of the pocket  7560  defines an entrance ramp  7570  and an exit ramp  7572 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7566 ,  7568  along the entrance ramp  7570  and exit the respective cup  7566 ,  7568  along the exit ramp  7532 . At an apex area or parting line  7574  between the entrance ramp  7570  and the exit ramp  7572 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. In the illustrated example, the pocket  7560  includes a centrally disposed forming groove  7580  that lies along the pocket axis PA and extends from the proximal cup  7566  to the distal cup  7568 . The forming groove  7580  bisects each of the entry and exit ramps  7570 ,  7572  as shown. 
     The pocket  7560  also defines a bridge  7576  in the neck portion  7569  between the proximal cup  7566  and the distal cup  7568 . The bridge  7576  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7540  of the staple-forming undersurface  7530 . More specifically, the bridge  7576  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7540 . In at least one example, the pocket  7560  includes sidewalls  7577 . In at least one arrangement, the distance between the sidewalls  7577  narrows linearly from the outer ends of each cup  7566 ,  7568  toward the neck portion  7569 . Consequently, the widest portion of the cups  7566 ,  7568  may be at the proximal and distal ends  7565 ,  7567  of the pocket  7560 , respectively. The widened region at the proximal and distal ends  7565 ,  7567  along with the sidewalls  7577  provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg preferably within the staple-forming groove  7580 . In various instances, the widened portions of the cups  7566  and  7568  define extended landing zones for receiving the staple tips. As the cups  7566 ,  7568  narrow toward the neck portion  7369 , the cups  7366 ,  7368  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis into the forming groove  7580  and into a formed configuration. The pocket  7560  defines a chamfered edge  7578  along the sides of the pocket  7560 . The chamfered edge  7578  serves to enlarge the footprint of the pocket  7560  and guide the tips of the staple legs toward the pocket axis. In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket  7560  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7561  of the pocket  7560  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7560  is symmetric about a central axis CA through the neck portion  7569  and perpendicular to the pocket axis. For example, the perimeter  7561  of the pocket  7560  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  7566  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7568 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7566  can be different than the distal cup  7568 . In various circumstances, the width of the neck portion  7569  is less than the width of the cups  7566  and  7568 . Consequently, the central portion of the pocket  7560  is narrower than the proximal and distal cups  7566  and  7568 . In the illustrated arrangement, the proximal cup  7566  has a pointed end  7590  and the distal cup  7568  has a pointed end  7592 . The forming groove  7580  extends from each pointed end  7590 ,  7592  to enhance the likelihood that the tips of the staple leg will fall ingot the forming groove  7580  during firing. When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7530 , the proximal cup  7566  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7568  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7566  and  7568  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the corresponding pocket axis and forming groove  7580  and a central portion of the pocket  7560 , such as the neck portion  7569 , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     Turning to  FIG. 55 , the pocket  7660  includes a first or proximal end  7665  and a second end or distal end  7667 . A pocket axis PA extends between the proximal end  7665  and the distal end  7667 . The pocket  7660  includes a perimeter  7661 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7660 . The pocket  7660  also includes a proximal cup  7666 , a distal cup  7668 , and a neck portion  7669  connecting the proximal cup  7666  and the distal cup  7668 . In the illustrated example, the pocket  7660  includes a centrally disposed forming groove  7680  that lies along the pocket axis PA and extends from the proximal cup  7666  to the distal cup  7668 . The forming groove  7680  defines an entrance ramp  7670  and an exit ramp  7672 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7666 ,  7668  along the entrance ramp  7670  and exit the respective cup  7666 ,  7668  along the exit ramp  7672 . At an apex area or parting line  7674  between the entrance ramp  7670  and the exit ramp  7672 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. 
     The pocket  7660  also defines a bridge  7676  in the neck portion  7669  between the proximal cup  7666  and the distal cup  7668 . The bridge  7676  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7640  of the staple-forming undersurface  7630 . More specifically, the bridge  7676  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7640 . In at least one example, the pocket  7660  includes sidewalls  7677 . In at least one arrangement, the distance between the sidewalls  7677  narrows linearly from the outer ends of each cup  7666 ,  7668  toward the neck portion  7669 . Consequently, the widest portion of the cups  7666 ,  7668  may be at the proximal and distal ends  7665 ,  7667  of the pocket  7660 , respectively. The widened region at the proximal and distal ends  7665 ,  7667  along with the sidewalls  7677  provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg preferably within the staple-forming groove  7680 . In various instances, the widened portions of the cups  7666  and  7568  define extended landing zones for receiving the staple tips. As the cups  7666 ,  7668  narrow toward the neck portion  7669 , the cups  7666 ,  7668  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis into the forming groove  7680  and into a formed configuration. The pocket  7660  defines a chamfered edge  7678  along the sides of the pocket  7660 . The chamfered edge  7678  serves to enlarge the footprint of the pocket  7660  and guide the tips of the staple legs toward the pocket axis PA. In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket  7660  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7661  of the pocket  7660  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7660  is symmetric about a central axis CA through the neck portion  7669  and perpendicular to the pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7661  of the pocket  7660  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  7666  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7668 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7666  can be different than the distal cup  7668 . In various circumstances, the width of the neck portion  7669  is less than the width of the cups  7666  and  7668 . Consequently, the central portion of the pocket  7560  is narrower than the proximal and distal cups  7666  and  7668 . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7630 , the proximal cup  7666  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7668  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7666  and  7668  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the corresponding pocket axis and forming groove  7680  and a central portion of the pocket  7660 , such as the neck portion  7669 , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     Turning to  FIG. 56 , the pocket  7760  includes a first or proximal end  7765  and a second end or distal end  7767 . A pocket axis PA extends between the proximal end  7765  and the distal end  7767 . The pocket  7760  includes a perimeter  7761 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7760 . The pocket  7760  also includes a proximal cup  7766 , a distal cup  7768 , and a neck portion  7769  connecting the proximal cup  7766  and the distal cup  7768 . In the illustrated example, the pocket  7760  includes a centrally disposed forming groove  7780  that lies along the pocket axis PA and extends from the proximal cup  7766  to the distal cup  7768 . The forming groove  7780  defines an entrance ramp  7770  and an exit ramp  7772 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7766 ,  7768  along the entrance ramp  7770  and exit the respective cup  7766 ,  7768  along the exit ramp  7772 . At an apex area or parting line  7774  between the entrance ramp  7770  and the exit ramp  7772 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. 
     The pocket  7760  also defines a bridge  7776  in the neck portion  7769  between the proximal cup  7766  and the distal cup  7768 . The bridge  7776  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7740  of the staple-forming undersurface  7730 . More specifically, the bridge  7776  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7740 . In at least one example, the pocket  7760  includes sidewalls  7777 . In at least one arrangement, the distance between the sidewalls  7777  narrows linearly from the outer ends of each cup  7766 ,  7768  toward the neck portion  7769 . Consequently, the widest portion of the cups  7766 ,  7768  may be at the proximal and distal ends  7765 ,  7767  of the pocket  7760 , respectively. The widened region at the proximal and distal ends  7765 ,  7767  along with the sidewalls  7777  provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg preferably within the staple-forming groove  7780 . In various instances, the widened portions of the cups  7766  and  7768  define extended landing zones for receiving the staple tips. As the cups  7766 ,  7768  narrow toward the neck portion  7769 , the cups  7766 ,  7768  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis into the forming groove  7780  and into a formed configuration. The pocket  7760  defines a chamfered edge  7778  along the sides of the pocket  7760 . The chamfered edge  7778  serves to enlarge the footprint of the pocket  7760  and guide the tips of the staple legs toward the pocket axis PA. In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket  7760  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7761  of the pocket  7760  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7760  is symmetric about a central axis CA through the neck portion  7769  and perpendicular to the pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7761  of the pocket  7760  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  7766  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7768 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7766  can be different than the distal cup  7668 . In various circumstances, the width of the neck portion  7769  is less than the width of the cups  7766  and  7768 . Consequently, the central portion of the pocket  7560  is narrower than the proximal and distal cups  7766  and  7768 . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7730 , the proximal cup  7766  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7768  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7666  and  7768  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the corresponding pocket axis and forming groove  7780  and a central portion of the pocket  7760 , such as the neck portion  7769 , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
     Turning to  FIG. 57 , the pocket  7860  includes a first or proximal end  7865  and a second end or distal end  7867 . A pocket axis PA extends between the proximal end  7865  and the distal end  7867 . The pocket  7860  includes a perimeter  7861 , which defines the boundary of the pocket  7860 . The pocket  7860  also includes a proximal cup  7866 , a distal cup  7868 , and a neck portion  7869  connecting the proximal cup  7866  and the distal cup  7868 . Each of the proximal and distal cups  7866 ,  7868  define an entrance ramp  7870  and an exit ramp  7872 . When forming a staple, the tip of a staple leg can enter the respective cup  7866 ,  7868  along the entrance ramp  7870  and exit the respective cup  7866 ,  7868  along the exit ramp  7872 . At an apex area or parting line  7874  between the entrance ramp  7870  and the exit ramp  7872 , the tips of the staple legs are deformed toward the staple base to assume the formed configuration, such as a B-form or modified B-form, for example. 
     The pocket  7860  also defines a bridge  7876  in the neck portion  7869  between the proximal cup  7866  and the distal cup  7868 . The bridge  7876  may be offset from the non-forming portion  7840  of the staple-forming undersurface  7830 . More specifically, the bridge  7876  may be positioned below or recessed relative to the non-forming portion  7840 . In at least one example, the pocket  7860  includes three sidewalls  7877 ,  7878 ,  7879 . Sidewalls  7877 ,  7878 ,  7879  may be angled relative to each other. In at least one arrangement, the distance between the sidewalls  7878 ,  7879  narrows linearly from the outer ends of each cup  7866 ,  7868  toward the neck portion  7869 . Consequently, the widest portion of the cups  7866 ,  7868  may be at the proximal and distal ends  7865 ,  7867  of the pocket  7860 , respectively. The widened region at the proximal and distal ends  7865 ,  7867  along with the sidewalls  7877 ,  7878 ,  7879  provides an enlarged footprint for receiving the tip of a staple leg within the cups  7866 ,  7868 . In various instances, the widened portions of the cups  7866  and  7868  define extended landing zones for receiving the staple tips. As the cups  7866 ,  7868  narrow toward the neck portion  7869 , the cups  7866 ,  7868  are configured to funnel and/or guide the tips of the staple legs toward and/or along the pocket axis PA into a formed configuration. The pocket  7860  defines a chamfered edge  7878  along the sides of the pocket  7860 . The chamfered edge  7878  serves to enlarge the footprint of the pocket  7860  and guide the tips of the staple legs toward the pocket axis PA. In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket  7860  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7861  of the pocket  7860  is symmetric about the corresponding pocket axis. Moreover, the pocket  7860  is symmetric about a central axis CA through the neck portion  7869  and perpendicular to the pocket axis PA. For example, the perimeter  7861  of the pocket  7860  is symmetric about the central axis CA, and the proximal cup  7866  has the same geometry as the distal cup  7868 . In other instances, the proximal cup  7866  can be different than the distal cup  7868 . In various circumstances, the width of the neck portion  7869  is less than the width of the cups  7866  and  7868 . Consequently, the central portion of the pocket  7860  is narrower than the proximal and distal cups  7866  and  7868 . When a staple is driven into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface  7730 , the proximal cup  7866  is aligned with a proximal staple leg, and the distal cup  7868  is aligned with a distal staple leg. The cups  7866  and  7868  are configured to direct or funnel the staple legs toward the corresponding pocket axis and forming groove  7880  and a central portion of the pocket  7860 , such as the neck portion  7869 , and to deform the staple legs into the formed configuration. 
       FIG. 58  illustrates another form of anvil  8000  that is similar to anvil  6000  described above except for the differences discussed herein. The anvil  8000  incudes an anvil body  8010  that defines a staple-forming undersurface generally designated as  8030  through which the elongate slot  8026  passes. The staple-forming undersurface  8030  serves to form ledges  8032 ,  8034  on each side of the slot  8026  within the anvil body  8010  for sliding engagement by protrusions formed on or attached to the knife of firing member that passes through the slot  8026  during the staple firing and tissue cutting processes. The staple-forming undersurface  8030  comprises planar surface portions  8040  that may be referred to herein as non-forming surface portions on each side of the slot  8026  that each have a plurality of staple-forming pockets  8060  formed therein. The anvil  8000  is generally complementary to the particular staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel. For example, the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  8060  in the anvil  8000  can correspond to the arrangement of staples and staple cavities in the staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel. The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  8040  of the anvil  8000  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  8060 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  8060  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  8030  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the staple-forming pockets  8060  are arranged in three rows  8050   a ,  8050   b ,  8050   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  8026 . The first row  8050   a  is an inner row, the second row  8050   b  is an intermediate row and third row  8050   c  is an outer row. Inner pockets  8060   a  are positioned in the inner row  8050   a , intermediate pockets  8060   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  8050   b , and outer pockets  8060   c  are positioned in the outer row  8050   c . The pockets  8060   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  8030  of the anvil  8000 . In at least one instance, the pockets  8060   a - c  on the opposing side of the slot  8026  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  8060   a - c  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  8026 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  8060  in the staple-forming undersurface  8030  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  8026  and, in certain instances, the anvil  8000  may not include the longitudinal slot  8026 . In various instances, the pockets  8060  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  8026 . Pockets  8060   a - c  may comprise, for example, pockets  6060  described herein or they may comprise other pockets including any of the other pocket configurations disclosed herein. 
     In the example depicted in  FIG. 58 , the anvil  8000  includes a plurality of tissue stabilization features  8080 . In at least one arrangement, each stabilization feature  8080  comprises a tissue stabilization cavity  8082  that is formed in the staple-forming undersurface  8030 . More specifically, each tissue stabilization cavity  8082  comprises an elongate cavity that is formed in the non-forming surface portions  8040  of the anvil  8000 . In the illustrated example, there are two lines  8070   a ,  8070   b  of tissue stabilization cavities  8082  on each side of the elongate slot  8026 . Each tissue stabilization cavity  8082  has an enclosed bottom  8084  and a vertical side wall or side walls  8086  extending therefrom. In one arrangement, the bottom  8084  is planar. However, in other arrangements, the enclosed bottom  8084  may not be planar. The tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be as deep as the pockets  8060 . The tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  or they may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c . In still other configurations, some of the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  and other tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c  in the same anvil  8000 . The tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may have the same perimetrical shape as the pockets  8060   a - c  or they may have a perimetrical shape that differs from the perimetrical shape of the pockets  8060   a - c . Each tissue stabilization cavity  8082  may be longer and/or wider than a pocket  8060   a - c  or the tissue stabilization cavity  8082  may be shorter and/or narrower than a pockets  8060   a - c . The tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be distinguishable from the pockets  8060   a - c  in that the tissue stabilization cavities have an enclosed bottom  8084 . While the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  may be designed to receive adjacent tissue therein during the clamping and stapling process, the enclosed bottom  8084  and smooth interior wall or walls  8086  prevent the tissue from becoming hung up and or trapped which could lead to tissue damage when the tissue is removed from the end effector. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 58 , each tissue stabilization cavity  8082  lies along a stabilization axis SA. The stabilization axes SA are transverse to the first pocket axes FPA, the second pocket axes SPA and the third pocket axes TPA. The stabilization axes of the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  in the first or inner row  8079   a  of tissue stabilization cavities  8082  are parallel to the stabilization axes of the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  in the outer or second row  8079   b  of tissue stabilization cavities  8082 . Each of the stabilization axes SA is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. During the stapling process, when the anvil  8000  gets pivoted onto the target tissue to clamp the target tissue between the staple-forming under surface  8030  of the anvil  8000  and the staple cartridge in the end effector, corresponding portions of the target tissue may enter the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  which will help to minimize shifting or rolling of the target tissue as the knife or firing member is advanced through the anvil  8000 . The angled orientation of the tissue stabilization cavities  8082  relative to the direction of the knife (along the longitudinal axis LA) may serve to further stabilize the tissue during cutting. In addition, because some of the target tissue is able to enter the stabilization cavities, the anvil  8000  may be able to assume a closer position relative to the cartridge during firing and thereby reduce an amount of bending stress normally experienced by the anvil. Such advantage may also result in lower closure and firing forces being needed during the closing and firing processes. 
       FIG. 59  illustrates another form of anvil  8100  that is similar to anvil  8000  described above except for the differences discussed herein. The anvil  8100  incudes an anvil body  8110  that defines a staple-forming undersurface generally designated as  8130  through which the elongate slot  8126  passes. The staple-forming undersurface  8130  comprises planar surface portions  8140  that may be referred to herein as non-forming surface portions on each side of the slot  8126  that each have a plurality of staple-forming pockets  8060  formed therein. The anvil  8100  is generally complementary to the particular staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel. For example, the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  8060  in the anvil  8100  can correspond to the arrangement of staples and staple cavities in the staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel. The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  8140  of the anvil  8100  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  8060 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  8060  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  8130  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the staple-forming pockets  8060  are arranged in three rows  8050   a ,  8050   b ,  8050   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  8126 . The first row  8050   a  is an inner row, the second row  8050   b  is an intermediate row and third row  8050   c  is an outer row. Inner pockets  8060   a  are positioned in the inner row  8050   a , intermediate pockets  8060   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  8050   b , and outer pockets  8060   c  are positioned in the outer row  8050   c . The pockets  8060   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  8130  of the anvil  8100 . In at least one instance, the pockets  8060   a - c  on the opposing side of the slot  8026  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  8060   a - c  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  8126 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  8060  in the staple-forming undersurface  8130  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  8026  and, in certain instances, the anvil  8100  may not include the longitudinal slot  8126 . In various instances, the pockets  8060  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  8026 . Pockets  8060   a - c  may comprise, for example, pockets  6060  described herein or they may comprise other pockets including any of the other pocket configurations disclosed herein. Each first pocket  8060   a  lies along a corresponding first pocket axis FPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each second pocket  8060   ba  lies along a corresponding second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as the first pocket axes FPA. Each third pocket  8060   c  lies along a corresponding third pocket axis TPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the second pocket axes SPA. The third pocket axes TPA may be parallel with the first pocket axes FPA. 
     In the example depicted in  FIG. 59 , the anvil  8100  includes a plurality of tissue stabilization features  8180  that are arranged in four rows  8170   a ,  8170   b ,  8170   c ,  8170   d  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  8126 . The first row  8170   a  is an inner row and includes a plurality of tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding first stabilization axis FSA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each first stabilization axis FSA may be parallel to the first pocket axes FPA. The second row  8170   b  is an intermediate row and includes a plurality of tissue stabilization cavities  8182   b  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding second stabilization axis SSA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first stabilization axes FSA. Each second stabilization axis SSA may be parallel to the second pocket axes SPA. The third row  8170   c  is another intermediate row and includes a plurality of tissue stabilization cavities  8182   c  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding third stabilization axis TSA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the first stabilization axes FSA. Each second stabilization axis SSA may be parallel to the second stabilization axes SSA as well as to the second pocket axes SPA. The fourth row  8170   d  is an outer row and includes a plurality of tissue stabilization cavities  8182   d  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding fourth stabilization axis FRSA that is parallel to the longitudinal axis LA. Each fourth stabilization cavity  8182   d  may be oriented along the corresponding outer edge  8112  of the anvil body  8110  as shown in  FIG. 59 , for example. 
     In certain instances, each tissue stabilization cavity  8182   a - d  has an enclosed bottom  8184  and vertical side walls  8186  extending therefrom. In one arrangement, the bottom  8184  is planar. However, in other arrangements, the enclosed bottom  8184  may not be planar. The tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be as deep as the pockets  8060   a - c . The tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  or they may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c . In still other configurations, some of the tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  and other tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c  in the same anvil  8100 . The tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may have the same perimetrical shape as the pockets  8060   a - c  or they may have a perimetrical shape that differs from the perimetrical shape of the pockets  8060   a - c . Each tissue stabilization cavity  8082  may be longer and/or wider than a pocket  8060   a - c  or the tissue stabilization cavity  8182   a - d  may be shorter and/or narrower than a pockets  8060   a - c . The tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be distinguishable from the pockets  8060   a - c  in that the tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  have an enclosed bottom  8184 . While the tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - d  may be designed to receive adjacent tissue therein during the clamping and stapling process, the enclosed bottom  8184  and smooth interior wall or walls  8186  prevent the tissue from becoming hung up and or trapped which could lead to tissue damage when the tissue is removed from the end effector. Each of the first second and third stabilization axes FSA, SSA, TSA is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. During the stapling process, when the anvil  8100  gets pivoted closed onto the target tissue to clamp the target tissue between the staple-forming under surface  8130  of the anvil  8100  and the staple cartridge in the end effector, corresponding portions of the target tissue will enter the tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - c  which will help to minimize shifting or rolling of the target tissue as the knife or firing member is advanced through the anvil  8100 . The angled orientation of the tissue stabilization cavities  8182   a - c  relative to the direction of the knife (along the longitudinal axis LA) may serve to further stabilize the tissue during cutting. In addition, because some of the target tissue is able to enter the stabilization cavities, the anvil  8100  may be able to assume a closer position relative to the cartridge during firing and thereby reduce an amount of bending stress normally experienced by the anvil. Such advantage may also result in lower closure and firing forces being needed during the closing and firing processes. 
       FIG. 60  illustrates another form of anvil  8200  that is similar to anvil  8000  described above except for the differences discussed herein. The anvil  8200  incudes an anvil body  8210  that defines a staple-forming undersurface generally designated as  8230  through which an elongate slot  8226  passes. The staple-forming undersurface  8230  comprises planar surface portions  8240  that may be referred to herein as non-forming surface portions on each side of the slot  8226  that each have a plurality of staple-forming pockets  8060  formed therein. The anvil  8200  is generally complementary to the particular staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel. For example, the arrangement of staple-forming pockets  8060  in the anvil  8200  can correspond to the arrangement of staples and staple cavities in the staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel. The forming ratio of the staple-forming undersurface can be optimized. By optimizing the forming ratio, more staples can be formed and/or formed to their desired configurations. In certain instances, the surface area of the non-forming portion  8240  of the anvil  8200  can be minimized with respect to the staple-forming pockets  8060 . Additionally or alternatively, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets  8060  can be extended or enlarged to maximize the portion of the staple-forming undersurface  8230  that is designed to catch and form the staples. 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the staple-forming pockets  8060  are arranged in three rows  8050   a ,  8050   b ,  8050   c  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  8226 . The first row  8050   a  is an inner row, the second row  8050   b  is an intermediate row and third row  8050   c  is an outer row. Inner pockets  8060   a  are positioned in the inner row  8050   a , intermediate pockets  8060   b  are positioned in the intermediate row  8050   b , and outer pockets  8060   c  are positioned in the outer row  8050   c . The pockets  8060   a - c  are arranged in a herringbone arrangement along the staple-forming undersurface  8230  of the anvil  8200 . In at least one instance, the pockets  8060   a - c  on the opposing side of the slot  8226  can form a mirror image reflection of the pockets  8060   a - c  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  8226 . In other instances, the arrangement of pockets  8060  in the staple-forming undersurface  8230  can be asymmetrical relative to the slot  8226  and, in certain instances, the anvil  8200  may not include the longitudinal slot  8226 . In various instances, the pockets  8060  can be arranged in less than or more than three rows on each side of the slot  8226 . Pockets  8060   a - c  may comprise, for example, pockets  6060  described herein or they may comprise other pockets including any of the other pocket configurations disclosed herein. Each first pocket  8060   a  lies along a corresponding first pocket axis FPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Each second pocket  8060   b  lies along a corresponding second pocket axis SPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as the first pocket axes FPA. Each third pocket  8060   c  lies along a corresponding third pocket axis TPA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA as well as to the second pocket axes SPA. The third pocket axes TPA may be parallel with the first pocket axes FPA. 
     In the example depicted in  FIG. 60 , the anvil  8200  includes a plurality of tissue stabilization features  8280  that are arranged in two rows  8270   a ,  8270   b  on a first side of the longitudinal slot  8226 . The first row  8270   a  is an inner row and includes a plurality of inner or first tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - e  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding first stabilization axis FSA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Thus, the first stabilization cavities  8282   a - e  are parallel to each other and each first stabilization axis FSA may be parallel to the first pocket axes FPA. The first stabilization cavities  8282   a - e  substantially occupy each non-forming surface portion  8240  extending between adjacent first pockets  8060   a  and corresponding second pocket  8060   b  as shown. 
     The second row  8270   b  is an outer row and includes a plurality of outer or second tissue stabilization cavities  8282   f - i  therein that are each arranged on a corresponding second stabilization axis SSA that is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA and parallel with third pocket axes TPA of a line of third pockets  8060   c . Thus, the second stabilization cavities  8282   f - i  are parallel to each other and each third pocket axis TPA. The second stabilization cavities  8282   a - e  substantially occupy each non-forming surface portion  8240  extending between adjacent third pockets  8060   c  and corresponding second pocket  8060   b  as shown. 
     In certain instances, each tissue stabilization cavity  8282   a - i  has a planar bottom  8284  and vertical side walls  8286  extending therefrom. The tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be as deep as the pockets  8060   a - c . The tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  or they may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c . In still other configurations, some of the tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be deeper than pockets  8060   a - c  and other tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be shallower than pockets  8060   a - c  in the same anvil  8200 . The tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may have the same perimetrical shape as the pockets  8060   a - c  or they may have a perimetrical shape that differs from the perimetrical shape of the pockets  8060   a - c . The tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be distinguishable from the pockets  8060   a - c  in that the tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  have an enclosed bottom  8284 . In one arrangement, the bottom  8284  is planar. However, in other arrangements, the enclosed bottom  8284  may not be planar. While the tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  may be designed to receive adjacent tissue therein during the clamping and stapling process, the enclosed bottom  8284  and smooth interior wall or walls  8286  prevent the tissue from becoming hung up and or trapped which could lead to tissue damage when the tissue is removed from the end effector. Each of the first and second stabilization axes FSA, SSA is transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. During the stapling process, when the anvil  8200  gets pivoted closed onto the target tissue to clamp the target tissue between the staple-forming under surface  8230  of the anvil  8200  and the staple cartridge in the end effector, corresponding portions of the target tissue will enter the tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  which will help to minimize shifting or rolling of the target tissue as the knife or firing member is advanced through the anvil  8200 . The angled orientation of the tissue stabilization cavities  8282   a - i  relative to the direction of the knife (along the longitudinal axis LA) may serve to further stabilize the tissue during cutting. In addition, because some of the target tissue is able to enter the stabilization cavities, the anvil  8200  may be able to assume a closer position relative to the cartridge during firing and thereby reduce an amount of bending stress normally experienced by the anvil. Such advantage may also result in lower closure and firing forces being needed during the closing and firing processes. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1—An anvil for a surgical stapler, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body that defines a longitudinal axis. The anvil body further comprises a planar non-forming surface. A first line of first staple-forming pockets is provided in the planar non-forming surface, wherein each first staple-forming pocket in the first line lies along a first pocket axis. A second line of second staple-forming pockets is provided in the planar non-forming surface adjacent to the first line of first staple-forming pockets. Each second staple-forming pocket in the second line lies along a second pocket axis. A third line of third staple-forming pockets is provided in the planar non-forming surface adjacent to the second line of second staple-forming pockets and wherein each third staple-forming pocket in the third line lies along a third pocket axis. The second pocket axis is transverse to the first and third pocket axes. A plurality of anvil protrusions protrude from the planar non-forming surface such hat each anvil protrusion is adjacent to at least two of the first, second and third staple forming pockets. 
     Example 2—The anvil of Example 1, wherein each first staple-forming pocket comprises a first pocket opening in the planar non-forming surface and wherein each second staple-forming pocket includes a second pocket opening in the planar non-forming surface and wherein each third forming pocket comprises a third pocket opening in the planar non-forming surface. At least one anvil protrusion is adjacent to at least one first pocket opening, at least one second pocket opening and at least one third pocket opening. 
     Example 3—The anvil of Example 2, wherein each first pocket opening comprises a first proximal end and a first distal end and wherein each second pocket opening comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end and wherein third pocket opening comprises a third proximal end and a third distal end. At least one anvil protrusion is adjacent a first distal end of a corresponding first pocket opening, a second proximal end of a corresponding second pocket opening and a third distal end of a corresponding third pocket opening. 
     Example 4—The anvil of Examples 2 or 3, wherein at least one anvil protrusion comprises a first angled surface that is adjacent to the distal end of the first staple-forming pocket opening and a second angled surface that is adjacent to the distal end of the second staple-forming pocket opening. The anvil protrusion further comprises a third angled surface that is adjacent to the proximal end of another second staple-forming pocket opening and a fourth angled surface that is adjacent to the proximal end of the third staple-forming pocket opening. 
     Example 5—The anvil of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of anvil protrusions comprises a first line of first anvil protrusions protruding from the planar non-forming surface and a second line of second anvil protrusions protruding from the planar non-forming surface. 
     Example 6—The anvil of Example 5, wherein the plurality of anvil protrusions further comprises a third line of third anvil protrusions protruding from the planar non-forming surface, a fourth line of fourth anvil protrusions protruding from the planar non-forming surface, and a fifth line of fifth anvil protrusions protruding from the planar non-forming surface. 
     Example 7—The anvil of Example 6, wherein the second and fourth anvil protrusions have the same perimetrical shape. 
     Example 8—The anvil of Example 4, wherein at least one of the first angled surface, the second angled surface, the third angled surface and the fourth angled surface extends from the planar non-forming surface at an acute angle. 
     Example 9—The anvil of Example 4, wherein each first angled surface, each second angled surface, each third angled surface and each fourth angled surface extend from the planar non-forming surface at an acute angle. 
     Example 10—An anvil for a surgical stapler, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body that includes a plurality of staple-forming pockets that are arranged in a pattern of staple-forming pockets that are repeated along a length of the anvil body. Each pocket comprises a pocket opening that is at least partially surrounded by a planar non-forming surface. A plurality of tissue stabilization cavities are formed in the planar non-forming surface between at least some of the staple-forming pockets. At least some of the tissue stabilization cavities comprise a closed bottom cavity that is formed in the planar non-forming surface. 
     Example 11—The anvil of Example 10, wherein the plurality of staple-forming pockets comprises at least one first line of first staple-forming pockets, at least one second line of second staple-forming pockets adjacent to the first line of first staple pockets, and at least one third line of third staple-forming pockets adjacent to the second line of second staple-forming pockets. 
     Example 12—The anvil of Example 11, wherein each first staple-forming pocket in the first line lies along a first pocket axis and wherein each second staple-forming pocket in the second line lies along a second pocket axis and wherein each third pocket in the third line lies along a third pocket axis. The second pocket axes are transverse to the first and third pocket axes. 
     Example 13—The anvil of Example 12, wherein each closed bottom cavity lies along a cavity axis that is transverse to at least one of the first pocket axis, the second pocket axis and the third pocket axis. 
     Example 14—The anvil of Examples 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the anvil body defines a longitudinal axis and wherein each tissue stabilization cavity lies along a corresponding cavity axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     Example 15—The anvil of Examples 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein at least some of the plurality of tissue stabilization cavities comprise a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width. 
     Example 16—The anvil of Example 12, wherein at least some of the closed bottom cavities lie along a corresponding cavity axis that is parallel with at least one of the first pocket axis, the second pocket axis and the third pocket axis. 
     Example 17—The anvil of Examples 12 or 16, wherein at least some of the closed bottom cavities lie along a corresponding cavity axis that is parallel with the first pocket axis and the third pocket axis. 
     Example 18—The anvil of Example 12, wherein at least some of the closed bottom cavities lie along a corresponding cavity axis that is parallel with at least one of the first pocket axis, the second pocket axis and the third pocket axis and is transverse to one of the first pocket axis, the second pocket axis and the third pocket axis. 
     Example 19—An anvil for a surgical stapler, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body that defines a longitudinal axis. The anvil body includes a tissue contacting surface. A plurality of staple-forming pockets are formed in the tissue contacting surface. The plurality of staple-forming pockets are arranged in a pattern of staple-forming pockets that is repeated along a length of the anvil body. The pattern comprises a plurality of first staple-forming pockets that are aligned along a first forming pocket line, wherein each first staple-forming pocket defines a corresponding first pocket axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of second staple-forming pockets are aligned along a second forming pocket line, wherein each second staple-forming pocket defines a corresponding second pocket axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of third staple-forming pockets are aligned along a third forming pocket line, wherein each third staple-forming pocket defines a third pocket axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The anvil further comprises a plurality of first tissue engagement features that are formed in the tissue contacting surface and are located between the first line of first staple-forming pockets and the second line of second staple-forming pockets. A plurality of second tissue engagement features are formed in the tissue contacting surface and are located between the second line of second staple-forming pockets and the third line of third staple-forming pockets. 
     Example 20—The anvil of Example 19, wherein at least one tissue engagement feature is located between a first staple-forming pocket, a second staple-forming pocket and a third staple-forming pocket. 
     Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by a manually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greater detail. 
     The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments are envisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned which utilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an end effector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an end effector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue. 
     The entire disclosures of: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued on Sep. 9, 2008; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec. 16, 2008; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Jul. 13, 2010; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008; 
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     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045; 
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     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552; 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, filed Jan. 31, 2006; and 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Although various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one ore more other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations. 
     The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps including, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, after cleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application. 
     The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.