Patent Publication Number: US-2022218335-A1

Title: Dual articulation drive system arrangements for articulatable surgical instruments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/429,427, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROXIMAL AND DISTAL SHAFT SUPPORTS, filed Jun. 3, 2019, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0350581, which is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filed Jun. 18, 2015, which issued on Aug. 6, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,368,861, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various embodiments, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith. 
     A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jaw members, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into a patient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/or incised. In various embodiments, one of the jaw members can support a staple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staples contained therein, and the other jaw member can support an anvil with staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staple cartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can further include a pusher bar and a knife blade which are slidable relative to the jaw members to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cartridge via camming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedge sled that is pushed by the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, the camming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of staple drivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples in order to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spaced rows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members. In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail the camming surfaces and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows. 
     The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspects of the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope. 
    
    
     
       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 surgical instrument and an elongate shaft assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly view of the handle or housing portion of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of an elongate shaft assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded assembly view of another portion of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of a surgical end effector embodiment and closure sleeve embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve arrangement of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve arrangement of  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the anvil thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve arrangement of  FIGS. 5-7  with the anvil thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 9  with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial exploded assembly view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 9-11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 9-12  with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 9-13  with the surgical end effector in an articulated configuration and with some of the components thereof shown in cross-section for clarity; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a portion of another elongate shaft assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is another perspective view of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 15  with the closure tube and closure sleeve components omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of portions of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 15-17  with a surgical staple cartridge mounted in the surgical end effector portion; 
         FIG. 19  is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 15-18  with a surgical staple cartridge mounted in the surgical end effector portion; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 15-19  with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 20A  is a side elevational view of a portion of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded assembly view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is another top view of the portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 21-23  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 25  is another top view of the portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 21-24  with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of another elongate shaft assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 27  is an exploded assembly view of portions of another surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 28  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 27  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 29  is another partial perspective view of portions of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27 and 28  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 30  is another partial perspective view of portions of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-29  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 31  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-30  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 32  is another top view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-31  with portions thereof omitted for clarity and with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 33  is a side elevational view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-32  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-33  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 35  is another partial perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 27-34  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded assembly view of portions of a distal firing beam assembly embodiment and lateral load carrying member embodiments; 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the distal firing beam assembly and lateral load carrying members of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portions of the distal firing beam assembly and lateral load carrying members of  FIGS. 36 and 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is another cross-sectional view of the distal firing beam assembly and lateral load carrying members of  FIGS. 36-38 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a side elevational view of a portion of a distal firing beam assembly embodiment attached to a firing member embodiment; 
         FIG. 41  is a top view of a portion of the distal firing beam assembly embodiment and firing member embodiment of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the distal firing beam assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 40 and 41  with lateral load carrying members journaled thereon and with the distal firing beam assembly embodiment in a flexed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of the distal firing beam assembly embodiment and lateral load carrying embodiments of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of portions of another surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity and with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 45  is a top view of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 46  is another top view of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 45  with portions of the pivot link thereof shown in crosssection; 
         FIG. 47  is a partial perspective view of portions of another surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 48  is a top view of portions of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 47  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 49  is another top view of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 48 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a top perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 47-49  with portions thereof omitted for clarity and the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 51  is another top perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is an enlarged perspective view of portions of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 51 ; 
         FIG. 53  is a top view of portions of another surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity and illustrating the surgical end effector in an unarticulated position or configuration and an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 54  is a top view of a portion of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 53  with the articulation system in a neutral or unarticulated position or configuration and with portions of the elongate shaft assembly omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 55  is another top view of a portion of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 54  with the articulation system in a first articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 56  is another top view of a portion of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 54 and 55  with the articulation system in a second articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 57  is a partial perspective view of other portions of the elongated shaft assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 53-56  and portions of the surgical end effector embodiment in an unarticulated position or configuration and with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 58  is another partial perspective view of the surgical end effector embodiment and elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 57  with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 59  is a top view of a portion of another elongate shaft assembly embodiment with portions thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 60  is a top view of portions of another articulation system embodiment in a neutral or unarticulated position; 
         FIG. 61  is a top view of a driver articulation disc embodiment of the articulation system of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 62  is a top view of a driven articulation disc embodiment of the articulation system  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 63  is another top view of the articulation system embodiment of  FIG. 60  in a position or configuration after an articulation control motion has been initially applied thereto; 
         FIG. 64  is another top view of the articulation system embodiment of  FIG. 63  in a first articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 65  is another top view of the articulation system embodiment of  FIGS. 63 and 64  in a second articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 66  is a perspective view of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 67  is another perspective view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIG. 66  with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 68  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 66 and 67  with the closure sleeve shown in cross-section and the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 69  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 66-68  shown in cross-section and with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 70  is an exploded assembly view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 66-69 ; 
         FIG. 71  is an exploded assembly view of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment; 
         FIG. 72  is a perspective view of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 73  is another perspective view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIG. 72  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 74  is an exploded perspective assembly view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 72 and 73 ; 
         FIG. 75  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 72-74  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 76  is a rear perspective view of the surgical end effector embodiment of  FIGS. 72-75  with the closure sleeve embodiment thereof shown in phantom lines for clarity; 
         FIG. 77  is a side cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 72-76  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 78  is another side cross-sectional view including one of the cam plates of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 72-77  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 79  is another side cross-sectional view including one of the cam plates of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 72-78  with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 80  is a partial perspective view of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 81  is a partial perspective view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIG. 80  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 82  is an exploded perspective assembly view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 80 and 81 ; 
         FIG. 83  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 80-82  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 84  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 80-83  with a portion of the closure sleeve shown in cross-section and with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration; 
         FIG. 85  is an exploded perspective assembly view of another surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment; 
         FIG. 86  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIG. 85  with the jaws thereof in a closed position or configuration; 
         FIG. 87  is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector and closure sleeve embodiment of  FIGS. 85 and 86  with the jaws thereof in an open position or configuration with a portion of the closure sleeve shown in cross-section; 
         FIG. 88  is a perspective view of a portion of another elongate shaft assembly embodiment; 
         FIG. 89  is another perspective view of the elongate shaft assembly embodiment of  FIG. 88  with some components thereof omitted for clarity; 
         FIG. 90  is another perspective view of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 88 and 89  with the surgical end effector in an articulated position or configuration; 
         FIG. 91  is an exploded assembly view of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 88-90 ; 
         FIG. 92  is a top view of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 88-91  with some components omitted for clarity and the surgical end effector thereof articulated in one direction; 
         FIG. 93  is another top view of the elongate shaft assembly of  FIGS. 88-92  with some components thereof omitted for clarity and with the surgical end effector articulated in another direction; 
         FIG. 94  is a perspective view of a surgical staple cartridge embodiment; and 
         FIG. 95  is a perspective view of another surgical staple cartridge 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 patent applications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,182,818; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,102; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,933, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,154,841; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0367255; 
     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, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0367254; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,178,992. 
     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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,246; 
     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. 2016/0256185; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,895,148; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,052,044; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,924,961; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,045,776; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248; 
     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. 20160256160; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,901,342; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,033. 
     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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,045,779; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,180,463; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,182,816; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,931,118; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,028; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,258; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,250; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,159,483. 
     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 entireties: 
     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, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,374; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,188,385; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,375; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,748; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,245,027; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,501; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,943,309; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,968,355; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,987,000; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,117,649. 
     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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,309; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,782,169; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,554,794; 
     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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,687,230; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,883,860; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,808,244; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,629,623; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,888,919. 
     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. Pat. No. 9,629,629. 
     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 entireties: 
     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. Pat. No. 9,826,977; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,013,049; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,743,929; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,028,761; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,690,362; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,738; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,497; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,804,618; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,663; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,499; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,201,364. 
     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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,111,679; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,724,094; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,301; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR&#39;S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,128; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled USE OF POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET DETECTION TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,199; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,242; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,836; 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 entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,976; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,649,110; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,844,368; 
     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. Pat. No. 10,149,680; 
     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. Pat. No. 9,801,626; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,612; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,136,887; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,460. 
     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 entireties: 
     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 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. 1-4  depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument  10  that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument  10  includes a housing  12  that comprises a handle  14  that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by the clinician. The housing  12  is configured for operable attachment to an elongate shaft assembly  200  that has a surgical end effector  300  operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. The elongate shaft assembly  200  may be interchangeable with other shaft assemblies in the various manners disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,743,929, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In other arrangements, the elongate shaft assembly may not be interchangeable with other shaft assemblies and essentially comprise a dedicated non-removable portion of the instrument. 
     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 elongate shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. 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 shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various robotic systems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in 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 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The housing  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  is shown in connection with the elongate shaft assembly  200  that includes a surgical end effector  300  that comprises a surgical cutting and fastening device that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  304  therein. The housing  12  may be configured for use in connection with 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  12  may also be effectively employed with a variety of other 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 housing  12  or handle  14  of the surgical instrument  10  with an interchangeable elongate shaft assembly  200  operably coupled thereto. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the handle  14  may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments  16  and  18  that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments  16 ,  18  cooperate to form a pistol grip portion  19  that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As will be discussed in further detail below, the handle  14  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. 2 , the handle  14  may further include a frame  20  that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame  20  can operably support a “first” or closure drive system, generally designated as  30 , which may be employed to apply closing and opening motions to the elongate shaft assembly  200  that is operably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closure drive system  30  may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger  32  that is pivotally supported by the frame  20 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the closure trigger  32  is pivotally coupled to the housing  14  by a pin  33 . Such arrangement enables the closure trigger  32  to be manipulated by a clinician such that when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion  19  of the handle  14 , the closure trigger  32  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  32  may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasing arrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system  30  further includes a closure linkage assembly  34  that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  32 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the closure linkage assembly  34  may include a first closure link  36  and a second closure link  38  that are pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  32  by a pin  35 . The second closure link  38  may also be referred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverse attachment pin  37 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it can be observed that the first closure link  36  may have a locking wall or end  39  thereon that is configured to cooperate with a closure release assembly  60  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  20 . In at least one form, the closure release assembly  60  may comprise a release button assembly  62  that has a distally protruding locking pawl  64  formed thereon. The release button assembly  62  may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by a release spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  32  from its unactuated position towards the pistol grip portion  19  of the handle  14 , the first closure link  36  pivots upward to a point wherein the locking pawl  64  drops into retaining engagement with the locking wall  39  on the first closure link  36  thereby preventing the closure trigger  32  from returning to the unactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly  60  serves to lock the closure trigger  32  in the fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger  32  to permit it to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots the closure release button assembly  62  such that the locking pawl  64  is moved out of engagement with the locking wall  39  on the first closure link  36 . When the locking pawl  64  has been moved out of engagement with the first closure link  36 , the closure trigger  32  may pivot back to the unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and release arrangements may also be employed. 
     When the closure trigger  32  is moved from its unactuated position to its actuated position, the closure release button  62  is pivoted between a first position and a second position. The rotation of the closure release button  62  can be referred to as being an upward rotation; however, at least a portion of the closure release button  62  is being rotated toward the circuit board  100 . Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the closure release button  62  can include an arm  61  extending therefrom and a magnetic element  63 , such as a permanent magnet, for example, mounted to the arm  61 . When the closure release button  62  is rotated from its first position to its second position, the magnetic element  63  can move toward the circuit board  100 . The circuit board  100  can include at least one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of the magnetic element  63 . In at least one embodiment, a “Hall effect” sensor can be mounted to the bottom surface of the circuit board  100 . The Hall effect sensor can be configured to detect changes in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall effect sensor that are caused by the movement of the magnetic element  63 . The Hall effect sensor can be in signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which can determine whether the closure release button  62  is in its first position, which is associated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger  32  and the open configuration of the end effector, its second position, which is associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger  32  and the closed configuration of the end effector, and/or any position between the first position and the second position. 
     Also in the illustrated arrangement, the handle  14  and the frame  20  operably support another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system  80  that is configured to apply firing motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. The firing drive system may  80  also be referred to herein as a “second drive system”. The firing drive system  80  may employ an electric motor  82 , located in the pistol grip portion  19  of the handle  14 . In various forms, the motor  82  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  82  may be powered by a power source  90  that in one form may comprise a removable power pack  92 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , for example, the power pack  92  may comprise a proximal housing portion  94  that is configured for attachment to a distal housing portion  96 . The proximal housing portion  94  and the distal housing portion  96  are configured to operably support a plurality of batteries  98  therein. Batteries  98  may each comprise, for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion  96  is configured for removable operable attachment to a control circuit board assembly  100  which is also operably coupled to the motor  82 . A number of batteries  98  may be connected in series may be used as the power source for the surgical instrument  10 . In addition, the power source  90  may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. 
     As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electric motor  82  includes a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaces with a gear reducer assembly  84  that is mounted in meshing engagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth  122  on a longitudinally-movable drive member  120 . In use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source  90  can operate the electric motor  82  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  82  in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor  82  is rotated in one direction, the drive member  120  will be axially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor  82  is driven in the opposite rotary direction, the drive member  120  will be axially driven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle  14  can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor  82  by the power source  90 . As with the other forms described herein, the handle  14  can also include a sensor that is configured to detect the position of the drive member  120  and/or the direction in which the drive member  120  is being moved. 
     Actuation of the motor  82  is controlled by a firing trigger  130  that is pivotally supported on the handle  14 . The firing trigger  130  may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger  130  may be biased into the unactuated position by a spring  132  or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger  130 , it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring  132  or biasing arrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger  130  can be positioned “outboard” of the closure trigger  32  as was discussed above. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button  134  may be pivotally mounted to the closure trigger  32  by pin  35 . The safety button  134  may be positioned between the firing trigger  130  and the closure trigger  32  and have a pivot arm  136  protruding therefrom. See  FIG. 2 . When the closure trigger  32  is in the unactuated position, the safety button  134  is contained in the handle  14  where the clinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety position preventing actuation of the firing trigger  130  and a firing position wherein the firing trigger  130  may be fired. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  32 , the safety button  134  and the firing trigger  130  pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician. 
     As discussed above, the handle  14  includes a closure trigger  32  and a firing trigger  130 . The firing trigger  130  can be pivotably mounted to the closure trigger  32 . When the closure trigger  32  is moved from its unactuated position to its actuated position, the firing trigger  130  can descend downwardly, as outlined above. After the safety button  134  has been moved to its firing position, the firing trigger  130  can be depressed to operate the motor of the surgical instrument firing system. In various instances, the handle  14  can include a tracking system configured to determine the position of the closure trigger  32  and/or the position of the firing trigger  130 . 
     As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member  120  has a rack of drive teeth  122  formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear  86  of the gear reducer assembly  84 . At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable “bailout” assembly  140  that is configured to enable the clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member  120  should the motor  82  become disabled. The bailout assembly  140  may include a lever or bailout handle assembly  142  that is configured to be manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth  124  also provided in the drive member  120 . Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member  120  by using the bailout handle assembly  142  to ratchet the drive member  120  in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0089970 discloses bailout arrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. 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, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the elongate shaft assembly  200  includes a surgical end effector  300  that comprises an elongate channel  302  that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge  304  therein. The end effector  300  may further include an anvil  310  that is pivotally supported relative to the elongate channel  302 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the surgical end effector  300  may be articulated relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation joint  270 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shaft assembly  200  can further include a proximal housing or nozzle  201  comprised of nozzle portions  202  and  203 . The shaft assembly  200  further includes a closure tube  260  which can be utilized to close and/or open an anvil  310  of the end effector  300 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly  200  includes a spine  210  which can be configured to fixably support a shaft frame portion  212  of and articulation lock  350 . Details regarding the construction and operation of the articulation lock  350  are set forth in 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, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The spine  210  is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member  220  therein and, two, slidably support the closure tube  260  which extends around the spine  210 . The spine  210  also slidably supports a proximal articulation driver  230 . The proximal articulation driver  230  has a distal end  231  that is configured to operably engage the articulation lock  350 . In one arrangement, the articulation lock  350  interfaces with an articulation frame  352  that is adapted to operably engage a drive pin (not shown) on the end effector frame (not shown). 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the spine  210  comprises a proximal end  211  which is rotatably supported in a chassis  240 . In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end  211  of the spine  210  has a thread  214  formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing  216  configured to be supported within the chassis  240 . See  FIG. 3 . Such arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine  210  to the chassis  240  such that the spine  210  may be selectively rotated about a shaft axis SA-SA relative to the chassis  240 . The shaft assembly  200  also includes a closure shuttle  250  that is slidably supported within the chassis  240  such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the closure shuttle  250  includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks  252  that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin  37  that is attached to the second closure link  38  as will be discussed in further detail below. See  FIG. 2 . A proximal end  261  of the closure tube  260  is coupled to the closure shuttle  250  for relative rotation thereto. For example, a U-shaped connector  263  is inserted into an annular slot  262  in the proximal end  261  of the closure tube  260  and is retained within vertical slots  253  in the closure shuttle  250 . See  FIG. 3 . Such arrangement serves to attach the closure tube  260  to the closure shuttle  250  for axial travel therewith while enabling the closure tube  260  to rotate relative to the closure shuttle  250  about the shaft axis SA-SA. A closure spring  268  is journaled on the closure tube  260  and serves to bias the closure tube  260  in the proximal direction “PD” which can serve to pivot the closure trigger into the unactuated position when the shaft assembly  200  is operably coupled to the handle  14 . 
     As was also indicated above, the elongate shaft assembly  200  further includes a firing member  220  that is supported for axial travel within the shaft spine  210 . The firing member  220  includes an intermediate firing shaft portion  222  that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or firing beam  280 . The firing member  220  may also be referred to herein as a “second shaft” and/or a “second shaft assembly”. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  may include a longitudinal slot  223  in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive a tab  284  on the proximal end  282  of the distal firing beam  280 . The longitudinal slot  223  and the proximal end  282  can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint  286 . The slip joint  286  can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  of the firing drive  220  to be moved to articulate the surgical end effector  300  without moving, or at least substantially moving, the firing beam  280 . Once the surgical end effector  300  has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot  223  comes into contact with the tab  284  in order to advance the firing beam  280  and fire a staple cartridge that may be supported in the end effector  300 . As can be further seen in  FIG. 4 , the shaft spine  210  has an elongate opening or window  213  therein to facilitate assembly and insertion of the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  into the shaft frame  210 . Once the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  has been inserted therein, a top frame segment  215  may be engaged with the shaft frame  212  to enclose the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  and firing beam  280  therein. Further description of the operation of the firing member  220  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 
     Further to the above, the illustrated shaft assembly  200  includes a clutch assembly  400  which can be configured to selectively and releasably couple the articulation driver  230  to the firing member  220 . In one form, the clutch assembly  400  includes a lock collar, or sleeve  402 , positioned around the firing member  220  wherein the lock sleeve  402  can be rotated between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve  402  couples the articulation driver  360  to the firing member  220  and a disengaged position in which the articulation driver  360  is not operably coupled to the firing member  200 . When lock sleeve  402  is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing member  220  can move the articulation driver  360  distally and, correspondingly, proximal movement of the firing member  220  can move the proximal articulation driver  230  proximally. When lock sleeve  402  is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing member  220  is not transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  230  and, as a result, the firing member  220  can move independently of the proximal articulation driver  230 . In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  230  can be held in position by the articulation lock  350  when the proximal articulation driver  230  is not being moved in the proximal or distal directions by the firing member  220 . 
     As can be further seen in  FIG. 4 , the lock sleeve  402  can comprise a cylindrical, or an at least substantially cylindrical, body including a longitudinal aperture  403  defined therein configured to receive the firing member  220 . The lock sleeve  402  can comprise diametrically-opposed, inwardly-facing lock protrusions  404  and an outwardly-facing lock member  406 . The lock protrusions  404  can be configured to be selectively engaged with the firing member  220 . More particularly, when the lock sleeve  402  is in its engaged position, the lock protrusions  404  are positioned within a drive notch  224  defined in the firing member  220  such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transmitted from the firing member  220  to the lock sleeve  402 . When the lock sleeve  402  is in its engaged position, a second lock member  406  is received within a drive notch  232  defined in the proximal articulation driver  230  such that the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force applied to the lock sleeve  402  can be transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  230 . In effect, the firing member  220 , the lock sleeve  402 , and the proximal articulation driver  230  will move together when the lock sleeve  402  is in its engaged position. On the other hand, when the lock sleeve  402  is in its disengaged position, the lock protrusions  404  may not be positioned within the drive notch  224  of the firing member  220  and, as a result, a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force may not be transmitted from the firing member  220  to the lock sleeve  402 . Correspondingly, the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force may not be transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  230 . In such circumstances, the firing member  220  can be slid proximally and/or distally relative to the lock sleeve  402  and the proximal articulation driver  230 . 
     As can also be seen in  FIG. 4 , the elongate shaft assembly  200  further includes a switch drum  500  that is rotatably received on the closure tube  260 . The switch drum  500  comprises a hollow shaft segment  502  that has a shaft boss  504  formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuation pin  410  therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin  410  extends through a slot  267  into a longitudinal slot  408  provided in the lock sleeve  402  to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve  402  when it is engaged with the proximal articulation driver  230 . A rotary torsion spring  420  is configured to engage the shaft boss  504  on the switch drum  500  and a portion of the nozzle housing  203  to apply a biasing force to the switch drum  500 . The switch drum  500  can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings  506  defined therein which, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , can be configured to receive circumferential mounts extending from the nozzle portions  202 ,  203  and permit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum  500  and the proximal nozzle  201 . The mounts also extend through openings  266  in the closure tube  260  to be seated in recesses n the shaft spine  210 . However, rotation of the nozzle  201  to a point where the mounts reach the end of their respective slots  506  in the switch drum  500  will result in rotation of the switch drum  500  about the shaft axis SA-SA. Rotation of the switch drum  500  will ultimately result in the rotation of the actuation pin  410  and the lock sleeve  402  between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle  201  may be employed to 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, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 
     As also illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the elongate shaft assembly  200  can comprise a slip ring assembly  600  which can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from the end effector  300  and/or communicate signals to and/or from the surgical end effector  300 , for example. The slip ring assembly  600  can comprise a proximal connector flange  604  mounted to a chassis flange  242  extending from the chassis  240  and a distal connector flange  601  positioned within a slot defined in the shaft housings  202 ,  203 . The proximal connector flange  604  can comprise a first face and the distal connector flange  601  can comprise a second face which is positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. The distal connector flange  601  can rotate relative to the proximal connector flange  604  about the shaft axis SA-SA. The proximal connector flange  604  can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantially concentric, conductors  602  defined in the first face thereof. A connector  607  can be mounted on the proximal side of the distal connector flange  601  and may have a plurality of contacts (not shown) wherein each contact corresponds to and is in electrical contact with one of the conductors  602 . Such arrangement permits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange  604  and the distal connector flange  601  while maintaining electrical contact therebetween. The proximal connector flange  604  can include an electrical connector  606  which can place the conductors  602  in signal communication with a shaft circuit board  610  mounted to the shaft chassis  240 , for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harness comprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electrical connector  606  and the shaft circuit board  610 . The electrical connector  606  may extend proximally through a connector opening  243  defined in the chassis mounting flange  242 . See  FIG. 7 . 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, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 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 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Further details regarding slip ring assembly  600  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 
     As discussed above, the elongate shaft assembly  200  can include a proximal portion which is fixably mounted to the handle  14  and a distal portion which is rotatable about a longitudinal shaft axis SA-SA. The rotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly  600 , as discussed above. The distal connector flange  601  of the slip ring assembly  600  can be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum  500  can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connector flange  601  and the switch drum  500  can be rotated synchronously with one another. In addition, the switch drum  500  can be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to the distal connector flange  601 . When the switch drum  500  is in its first position, the articulation drive system (i.e., the proximal articulation driver  230 ) may be operably disengaged from the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may not articulate the end effector  300  of the shaft assembly  200 . When the switch drum  500  is in its second position, the articulation drive system (i.e., the proximal articulation driver  230 ) may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector  300  of the shaft assembly  200 . When the switch drum  500  is moved between its first position and its second position, the switch drum  500  is moved relative to distal connector flange  601 . In various instances, the shaft assembly  200  can comprise at least one sensor that is configured to detect the position of the switch drum  500 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the closure tube assembly  260  includes a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  271 . According to various forms, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly  271  includes an end effector closure sleeve  272  that includes upper and lower distally projecting tangs  273 ,  274 . An upper double pivot link  277  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang  273  and an upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang  264  on the closure tube  260 . A lower double pivot link  278  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively a lower distal pinhole in the lower proximally projecting tang  274  and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang  265 . See also  FIG. 6 . 
       FIGS. 5-8  illustrate one form of surgical end effector  300  that is configured to be operably attached to an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument of the type described above or other surgical instrument arrangements that include a closure system that is configured to generate control motions for axially moving a closure member that is configured to apply closing and opening motions to portions of the surgical end effector. In the illustrated example, as will be discussed in further detail below, the surgical end effector is configured to be articulated relative to a proximal portion of the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation joint, generally designated as  339 . Other arrangements, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the articulation joint  339  defines an articulation axis B-B about which the surgical end effector  300  may be selectively articulated. In the illustrated example, the articulation axis B-B is substantially transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA of the elongate shaft assembly. 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  300  includes a first jaw  308  and a second jaw  309  that is selectively movable relative to the first jaw  308  between an open position ( FIG. 7 ) and various closed positions ( FIG. 8 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the first jaw  308  comprises an elongate channel  302  that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  304  therein and the second jaw  309  comprises an anvil  310 . However, other surgical jaw arrangements may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , a support pan  305  may be attached to the surgical staple cartridge  304  to provide added support thereto as well as to prevent the staple drivers (not shown) that are supported in the staple pockets  306  that are formed in the surgical staple cartridge  304  from falling out of the surgical staple cartridge prior to use. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the elongate channel  302  has a proximal end portion  320  that includes two upstanding lateral walls  322 . The anvil  310  includes an anvil body  312  that has a staple-forming undersurface  313  formed thereon. A proximal end  314  of the anvil body is bifurcated by a firing member slot  315  that defines a pair of anvil attachment arms  316 . Each anvil attachment arm  316  includes a sloping upper surface  321  and includes a laterally protruding anvil trunnion  317  and a cam slot  318  that defines a cam surface or “slotted cam surface”  319 . See  FIG. 5 . One of the cam slots  318  may be referred to herein as a “first cam slot” with the cam surface thereof being referred to as the “first cam surface”. Similarly, the other cam slot  318  may be referred to as a “second cam slot” with the cam surface thereof being referred to herein as the “second cam surface”. A trunnion hole  324  is provided in each lateral wall  322  of the elongate channel  302  for receiving a corresponding one of the anvil trunnions  317  therein. Such arrangement serves to movably affix the anvil  310  to the elongate channel  302  for selective pivotable travel about an anvil axis A-A that is defined by trunnion holes  324  and which is transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA. See  FIG. 6 . 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the anvil  310  is pivotally moved relative to the elongate channel  302  and the surgical staple cartridge  304  supported therein to an open position by a pair of opening cams  354  that may be removably supported in or removably attached to or permanently attached to or integrally formed in an anvil actuator member. In the illustrated embodiment, the anvil actuator member comprises the end effector closure sleeve  272 . See  FIG. 5 . Each opening cam  354  includes an outer body portion  356  that has a cam tab  358  protruding inwardly therefrom. The outer body portion  356  is, in at least one arrangement, configured to be snapped into removable engagement within a corresponding cam hole  355  formed in the end effector closure sleeve  272 . For example, the outer body portion  356  may include a chamfered stop portion  357  that is configured to snappingly engage a corresponding portion of the end effector closure sleeve wall that defines the cam hole  355 . Another portion of the outer body portion  356  may have a dog leg feature  359  formed thereon that is configured to be received inside a portion of the end effector closure sleeve  272  adjacent the cam hole  355 . Other snap tab arrangements may also be employed to removably affix the outer body portion  356  to the end effector closure sleeve  272 . In other arrangements, for example, the outer body portion may not be configured for snapping engagement with the end effector closure sleeve  272 . In such arrangements, the outer body portions may be retained in position by an annular crimp ring that extends around the outer circumference of the end effector closure sleeve over the outer body portions of the opening cams and be crimped in place. The crimp ring serves to trap the outer body portions against the outer surface of the end effector closure sleeve. To provide the end effector closure sleeve with a relatively smooth or uninterrupted outer surface which may advantageously avoid damage to adjacent tissue and/or collection of tissue/fluid etc. between those components, the crimp ring may actually be crimped into an annular recess that is formed in the end effector closure sleeve. 
     When the opening cams  350  are installed in the end effector closure sleeve  272 , each cam tab  358  extends through an elongate slot  326  in the corresponding lateral wall  322  of the elongate channel  302  to be received in a corresponding cam slot  318  in the anvil  310 . See  FIG. 6 . In such arrangement, the opening cams  350  are diametrically opposite of each other in the end effector closure sleeve. In use, the closure tube  260  is translated distally (direction “DD”) to close the anvil  310 , for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger  32 . The anvil  310  is closed as the closure tube  260  is translated in the distal direction “DD” so as to bring the distal end  275  of the of end effector closure sleeve  272  into contact with a closure lip  311  on the anvil body  312 . In particular, the distal end  275  of the end effector closure sleeve  272  rides on the upper surfaces  321  of the anvil attachment arms  316  as the closure tube  260  is moved distally to begin to pivot the anvil  310  to a closed position. In one arrangement for example, closure of the anvil  310  is solely caused by contact of the end effector closure sleeve  272  with the anvil  310  and is not caused by the interaction of the opening cams with the anvil. In other arrangements, however, the opening cams could be arranged to also apply closing motions to the anvil as the closure tube  260  is moved distally. The anvil  310  is opened by proximally translating the closure tube  260  in the proximal direction “PD” which causes the cam tabs  358  to move in the proximal direction “PD” within the cam slots  318  on the cam surfaces  319  to pivot the anvil  310  into the open position as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The surgical end effector embodiment  300  employs two opening cams to effect positive opening of the end effector jaws, even when under a load. Other arrangements could conceivably employ only one opening cam or more than two opening cams without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the opening cams are removably affixed to the end effector closure sleeve which facilitates easy assembly or attachment of the surgical end effector components to the elongate shaft assembly as well as disassembly thereof. Such configurations also enable the use of more compact or shorter articulation joint arrangements which further facilitate better manipulation of the surgical end effector within the confined spaces inside of a patient. To facilitate easy detachment of those opening cams that are snapped in place, additional strategically placed holes may be provided in the end effector closure sleeve to enable a pry member to be inserted therethrough to pry the opening cams out of the end effector closure sleeve. In still other arrangements, the opening cam(s) may be integrally formed in the anvil actuator member or end effector closure sleeve. For example, the opening cam(s) may each comprise a tab that is cut into or otherwise formed into the wall of the anvil actuator member or end effector closure sleeve and then bent, crimped or permanently deformed inward so as to engage the corresponding cam surface on the second jaw. For example, the tab may be bent inward at ninety degrees relative to the outer wall of the end effector closure sleeve. Such arrangements avoid the need for separate opening cam components. Other variations may employ a pin or pins that are attached to the second jaw and configured to ride on corresponding cam surfaces on the first jaw. The pin or pins may be pressed into the first jaw, knurled and then pressed in and/or welded to the first jaw, for example. While the opening cam arrangements discussed above have been described in the context of a surgical end effector that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge and includes an anvil that is configured to move relative to the surgical staple cartridge, the reader will appreciate that the opening cam arrangements may also be employed with other end effector arrangements that have jaw(s) that are movable relative to each other. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an elongate shaft assembly designated as  200 ′ that employs many of the features of elongate shaft assembly  200  described above. In the illustrated example, the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ includes a dual articulation link arrangement designated as  800  that employs an articulation lock  810  that is similar to articulation lock  350  described above. Those components of articulation lock  810  that differ from the components of articulation lock  350  and which may be necessary to understand the operation of articulation lock  350  will be discussed in further detail below. Further details regarding articulation lock  350  may be found in 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, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The articulation lock  810  can be configured and operated to selectively lock the surgical end effector  300  in various articulated positions. Such arrangement enables the surgical end effector  300  to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft closure tube  260  when the articulation lock  810  is in its unlocked state. 
     As was discussed above, when the proximal articulation driver  230  is operatively engaged with the firing member  220  via the clutch system  400 , the firing member  220  can move the proximal articulation driver  230  proximally and/or distally. For instance, proximal movement of the firing member  220  can move the proximal articulation driver  230  proximally and, similarly, distal movement of the firing member  220  can move the proximal articulation driver  230  distally. Movement of the proximal articulation driver  230 , whether it be proximal or distal, can unlock the articulation lock  810 , as described in greater detail further below. As can be seen in  FIG. 9  for example, the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ includes a shaft frame  812  which is somewhat co-extensive with a first distal articulation driver  820 . A first distal articulation driver  820  is supported within the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction “DD” and a proximal direction “PD” in response to corresponding articulation control motions applied thereto. The shaft frame  812  includes a distal end portion  814  that has a downwardly protruding pivot pin (not shown) thereon that is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole  328  formed in the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302 . See, for example, the similar arrangement depicted in  FIG. 5 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal travel of the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300  relative to the shaft frame  812  about an articulation axis B-B that is defined by the pivot hole  328 . As indicated above, the articulation axis B-B is transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA that is defined by elongate shaft assembly  200 ′. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the first distal articulation driver  820  includes a first, or distal, lock cavity  822  and a second, or proximal, lock cavity  824 , wherein the first lock cavity  822  and the second lock cavity  824  can be separated by an intermediate frame member  825 . The articulation lock  810  can further include at least one first lock element  826  at least partially positioned within the first lock cavity  822  which can be configured to inhibit or prevent the proximal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , for example, there are three first lock elements  826  positioned within the first lock cavity  822  which can all act in a similar, parallel manner and can co-operatively act as a single lock element. Other embodiments are envisioned which can utilize more than three or less than three first lock elements  826 . Similarly, the articulation lock  810  can further include at least one second lock element  828  at least partially positioned within the second lock cavity  824  which can be configured to inhibit or prevent the distal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820 . With regard to the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , there are three second lock elements  828  positioned within the second lock cavity  824  which can all act in a similar, parallel manner and can co-operatively act as a single lock element. Other embodiments are envisioned which can utilize more than three or less than three second lock elements  828 . 
     Further to the above, referring primarily to  FIG. 9 , each first lock element  826  is slidably supported on a frame rail  830  and includes a lock tang  827 . Each of the first lock elements  826  have a lock aperture therein (not shown) for receiving the frame rail  830  therethrough. The lock tang  827  can be disposed within the first lock cavity  822  and the lock aperture can be slidably engaged with a frame rail  830  mounted to the shaft frame  812 . The first lock elements  826  are not oriented in a perpendicular arrangement with the frame rail  830 ; rather, the first lock elements  826  are arranged and aligned at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the frame rail  830  such that the edges or sidewalls of the lock apertures are engaged with the frame rail  830 . Moreover, the interaction between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830  can create a resistive or friction force therebetween which can inhibit relative movement between the first lock elements  826  and the frame rail  830  and, as a result, resist a proximal pushing force P applied to the first distal articulation driver  820 . Stated another way, the first lock elements  826  can prevent or at least inhibit the surgical end effector  300  from rotating in a direction indicated by arrow  821 . If a torque is applied to the end effector  300  in the direction of arrow  821 , a proximal pushing force P will be transmitted to the distal articulation driver  820 . The proximal pushing force P will only serve to bolster the locking engagement between the first lock elements  826  and the frame rail  830 . More particularly, the proximal pushing force P can be transmitted to the tangs  827  of the first lock elements  826  which can cause the first lock elements  826  to rotate and decrease the angle defined between first lock elements  826  and the frame rail  830  and, as a result, increase the bite between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830 . Ultimately, then, the first lock elements  826  can lock the movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  in one direction. 
     To release the first lock elements  826  and permit the surgical end effector  300  to be rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  821 , the proximal articulation driver  230  can be pulled proximally to straighten, or at least substantially straighten, the first lock elements  826  into a perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, position. In such a position, the bite, or resistive force, between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830  can be sufficiently reduced, or eliminated, such that the first distal articulation driver  820  can be moved proximally. To straighten the first lock elements  826 , the proximal articulation driver  230  can be pulled proximally such that a distal arm  233  of the proximal articulation driver  230  contacts the first lock elements  826  to pull and rotate the first lock elements  826  into their straightened position. In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  230  can continue to be pulled proximally until a proximal arm  235  extending therefrom contacts, or abuts, a proximal drive wall  832  of the first distal articulation driver  820  and pulls the distal articulation driver  820  proximally to articulate the surgical end effector  300 . In essence, a proximal pulling force can be applied from the proximal articulation driver  230  to the distal articulation driver  820  through the interaction between the proximal arm  235  and the proximal drive wall  832  wherein such a pulling force can be transmitted through the first distal drive member  820  to the end effector  300  as will be further discussed below to articulate the end effector  300  in the direction indicated by arrow  821 . After the surgical end effector  300  has been suitably articulated in the direction of arrow  821 , the first distal articulation driver  820  can be released, in various circumstances, to permit the articulation lock  810  to re-lock the first distal articulation driver  820 , and the surgical end effector  300 , in position. 
     Concurrent to the above, referring again to  FIG. 9 , the second lock elements  828  can remain in an angled position while the first lock elements  826  are locked and unlocked as described above. The reader will appreciate that, although the second lock elements  828  are arranged and aligned in an angled position with respect to the shaft rail  830 , the second lock elements  828  are not configured to impede, or at least substantially impede, the proximal motion of the first distal articulation driver  820 . When the first distal articulation driver  820  and articulation lock  810  are slid proximally, as described above, the second lock elements  828  can slide distally along the frame rail  830  without, in various circumstances, changing, or at least substantially changing, their angled alignment with respect to the frame rail  830 . While the second lock elements  828  are permissive of the proximal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810 , the second lock elements  828  can be configured to selectively prevent, or at least inhibit, the distal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820 , as discussed in greater detail further below. 
     Each second lock element  828  can comprise a lock aperture (not shown) and a lock tang  829 . The lock tang  829  can be disposed within the second lock cavity  824  and the lock aperture can be slidably engaged with the frame rail  830  mounted to the shaft frame  812 . The frame rail  830  extends through the apertures in the second lock elements  828 . The second lock elements  828  are not oriented in a perpendicular arrangement with the frame rail  830 ; rather, the second lock elements  828  are arranged and aligned at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the frame rail  830  such that the edges or sidewalls of the lock apertures are engaged with the frame rail  830 . Moreover, the interaction between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830  can create a resistive or friction force therebetween which can inhibit relative movement between the second lock elements  828  and the frame rail  830  and, as a result, resist a distal force D applied to the first distal articulation driver  820 . Stated another way, the second lock elements  828  can prevent or at least inhibit the surgical end effector  300  from rotating in a direction indicated by arrow  823 . If a torque is applied to the end effector  300  in the direction of arrow  823 , a distal pulling force D will be transmitted to the first distal articulation driver  820 . The distal pulling force D will only serve to bolster the locking engagement between the second lock elements  828  and the frame rail  830 . More particularly, the distal pulling force D can be transmitted to the tangs  829  of the second lock elements  828  which can cause the second lock elements  828  to rotate and decrease the angle defined between second lock elements  828  and the frame rail  830  and, as a result, increase the bite between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830 . Ultimately, then, the second lock elements  828  can lock the movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  in one direction. 
     To release the second lock elements  828  and permit the surgical end effector  300  to be articulated in the direction indicated by arrow  823 , the proximal articulation driver  230  can be pushed distally to straighten, or at least substantially straighten, the second lock elements  828  into a perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, position. In such a position, the bite, or resistive force, between the sidewalls of the lock apertures and the frame rail  830  can be sufficiently reduced, or eliminated, such that the first distal articulation driver  820  can be moved distally. To straighten the second lock elements  828 , the proximal articulation driver  230  can be pushed distally such that the proximal arm  235  of the proximal articulation driver  230  contacts the second lock elements  828  to push and rotate the second lock elements  828  into their straightened position. In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  230  can continue to be pushed distally until the distal arm  233  extending therefrom contacts, or abuts, a distal drive wall  833  of the first distal articulation driver  820  and pushes the first distal articulation driver  820  distally to articulate the surgical end effector  300 . In essence, a distal pushing force can be applied from the proximal articulation driver  230  to the first distal articulation driver  820  through the interaction between the distal arm  233  and the distal drive wall  833  wherein such a pushing force can be transmitted through the first distal articulation driver  820  to articulate the end effector  300  in the direction indicated by arrow  823 . After the surgical end effector  300  has been suitably articulated in the direction of arrow  823 , the first distal articulation driver  820  can be released, in various circumstances, to permit the articulation lock  810  to re-lock the first distal articulation driver  820 , and the surgical end effector  300 , in position. 
     Concurrent to the above, the first lock elements  826  can remain in an angled position while the second lock elements  828  are locked and unlocked as described above. The reader will appreciate that, although the first lock elements  826  are arranged and aligned in an angled position with respect to the shaft rail  830 , the first lock elements  826  are not configured to impede, or at least substantially impede, the distal motion of the first distal articulation driver  820 . When the first distal articulation driver  820  and articulation lock  810  are slid distally, as described above, the first lock elements  826  can slide distally along the frame rail  830  without, in various circumstances, changing, or at least substantially changing, their angled alignment with respect to the frame rail  830 . While the first lock elements  826  are permissive of the distal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810 , the first lock elements  826  are configured to selectively prevent, or at least inhibit, the proximal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820 , as discussed above. 
     In view of the above, the articulation lock  810 , in a locked condition, can be configured to resist the proximal and distal movements of the first distal articulation driver  820 . In terms of resistance, the articulation lock  810  can be configured to prevent, or at least substantially prevent, the proximal and distal movements of the first distal articulation driver  820 . Collectively, the proximal motion of the first distal articulation driver  820  is resisted by the first lock elements  826  when the first lock elements  826  are in their locked orientation and the distal motion of the first distal articulation driver  820  is resisted by the second lock elements  828  when the second lock elements  828  are in their locked orientation, as described above. Stated another way, the first lock elements  826  comprise a first one-way lock and the second lock elements  828  comprise a second one-way lock which locks in an opposite direction. 
     Discussed in connection with the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an initial proximal movement of the proximal articulation driver  230  can unlock the proximal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810  while a further proximal movement of the proximal articulation driver  230  can drive the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810  proximally. Similarly, an initial distal movement of the proximal articulation driver  230  can unlock the distal movement of the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810  while a further distal movement of the proximal articulation driver  230  can drive the first distal articulation driver  820  and the articulation lock  810  distally. Such a general concept is discussed in connection with several additional exemplary embodiments disclosed below. To the extent that such discussion is duplicative, or generally cumulative, with the discussion provided above, such discussion is not reproduced for the sake of brevity. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the dual articulation link arrangement  800  is configured to establish a “push/pull” arrangement when an articulation force is applied thereto through the first distal articulation driver  820 . As can be seen in those Figures, the first distal articulation driver  820  has a first drive rack  842  formed therein. A first articulation rod  844  protrudes distally out of the first distal articulation driver  820  and is attached to a first movable coupler  850  that is attached to the first distal articulation driver  820  by a first ball joint  852 . The first coupler  850  is also pivotally pinned to the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302  by a first pin  854  as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . The dual articulation link arrangement  800  further comprises a second distal articulation driver  860  that has a second drive rack  862  formed therein. The second distal articulation driver  860  is movably supported within the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ for longitudinal travel in the distal direction “DD” and the proximal direction “PD”. A second articulation rod  864  protrudes distally out of the second distal articulation driver  860  and is attached to a second movable coupler  870  that is attached to the second distal articulation driver  860  by a second ball joint  872 . The second coupler  870  is also pivotally pinned to the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302  by a second pin  874  as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the first coupler  850  is attached to the elongate channel  302  on one lateral side of the shaft axis SA and the second coupler  870  is attached to the elongate channel  302  on an opposite lateral side of the shaft axis. Thus, by simultaneously pulling on one of the couplers  850 ,  870  and pushing on the other coupler  850 ,  870 , the surgical end effector  300  will be articulated about the articulation axis B-B relative to the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′. In the illustrated arrangements, although the couplers  850 ,  870  that facilitate relative movement between the first and second distal articulation drivers  820 ,  860 , respectively and the elongate channel  302  are fabricated from relatively rigid components, other arrangements may employ relatively “flexible” coupler arrangements. For example cable(s), etc. may extend through one or both of the distal articulation drivers  820 ,  860 , couplers  850 ,  870  and the ball joints  852 ,  872 , to be coupled to the elongate channel to facilitate the transfer of articulation motions thereto. 
     As can also be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a proximal pinion gear  880  and a distal pinion gear  882  are centrally disposed between the first drive rack  842  and the second drive rack  862  and are in meshing engagement therewith. In alternative embodiments, only one pinion gear or more than two pinion gears may be employed. Thus, at least one pinion gear is employed. The proximal pinion gear  880  and the distal pinion gear  882  are rotatably supported in the shaft frame  812  for free rotation relative thereto such that as the first distal articulation driver  820  is moved in the distal direction “DD”, the pinion gears  870 ,  872  serve to drive the second distal articulation driver  860  in the proximal direction “PD”. Likewise, when the first distal articulation driver  820  is pulled in the proximal direction “PD”, the pinion gears  880 ,  882  drive the second distal articulation driver  860  in the distal direction “DD”. Thus, to articulate the end effector  300  about the articulation axis B-B in the direction of arrow  821 , the articulation driver  230  is operatively engaged with the firing member  220  via the clutch system  400  such that the firing member  220  moves or pulls the proximal articulation driver  230  in the proximal direction “PD”. Movement of the proximal articulation driver  230  in the proximal direction moves the first distal articulation driver  820  in the proximal direction as well. As the first distal articulation driver  820  moves the in the proximal direction, the pinion gears  880 ,  882  serve to drive the second distal articulation driver  860  in the distal direction “DD”. Such movement of the first and second distal articulation drivers  820 ,  860  causes the surgical end effector  300  and more specifically, the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300  to pivot about the articulation axis B-B in the articulation direction of arrow  821 . Conversely, to articulate the end effector  300  in the direction of arrow  823 , the firing member  220  is actuated to push the first distal articulation driver  820  in the distal direction “DD”. As the first distal articulation driver  820  moves the in the distal direction, the pinion gears  880 ,  882  serve to drive the second distal articulation driver  860  in the proximal direction “PD”. Such movement of the first and second distal articulation drivers  820 ,  860  causes the surgical end effector  300  and more specifically, the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300  to pivot about the articulation axis B-B in the articulation direction of arrow  823 . 
     The dual solid link articulation arrangement  800  and its variations may afford the surgical end effector with a greater range of articulation when compared to other articulatable surgical end effector configurations. In particular, the solid link articulation arrangements disclosed herein may facilitate ranges of articulation that exceed ranges of 45-50 degrees that are commonly achieved by other articulatable end effector arrangements. Use of at least one pinion gear to interface between the distal articulation drivers enable the end effector to be “pushed” and “pulled” into position also may reduce the amount of end effector “slop” or undesirable or unintended movement during use. The dual solid link articulation arrangements disclosed herein also comprise an articulation system that has improved strength characteristics when compared to other articulation system arrangements. 
     As was briefly discussed above, the intermediate firing shaft portion  222  is configured to operably interface with a distal cutting or firing beam  280 . The distal firing beam  280  may comprise a laminated structure. Such arrangement enables the distal firing beam  280  to sufficiently flex when the surgical end effector  300  is articulated about the articulation axis B-B. The distal firing beam  280  is supported for axial movement within the shaft assembly  200 ′ and is slidably supported by two upstanding lateral support walls  330  formed on the proximal end of the elongate channel  302 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the distal firing beam  280  is attached to a firing member  900  that includes a vertically-extending firing member body  902  that has a tissue cutting surface or blade  904  thereon. In addition, a wedge sled  910  may be mounted within the surgical staple cartridge  304  for driving contact with the firing member  900 . As the firing member  900  is driven distally through the cartridge body  304 , the wedge surfaces  912  on the wedge sled  910  contact the staple drivers to actuate the drivers and the surgical staples supported thereon upwardly in the surgical staple cartridge  304 . 
     End effectors that employ firing beams or firing members and which are capable of articulating over a range of, for example, forty five degrees may have numerous challenges to overcome. To facilitate operable articulation of such end effectors, the firing member or firing beam must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate such range of articulation. However, the firing beam or firing member must also avoid buckling while encountering the compressive firing loads. To provide additional support to the firing beam or firing member various “support” or “blowout” plate arrangements have been developed. Several of such arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,363, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING ARTICULATION JOINT SUPPORT PLATES FOR SUPPORTING A FIRING BAR and U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,736, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATED FIRING BAR TRACK THROUGH AN ARTICULATION JOINT, the entire disclosures of each being hereby incorporated by reference herein. Blowout plates that provide substantial buckle resistance also are difficult to bend in general which adds to the forces the articulation joint system must accommodate. Other firing beam support arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-15 , the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ further comprises a multiple support link assembly  920  for providing lateral support to the distal firing beam  280  as the surgical end effector  300  is articulated about the articulation axis B-B. As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the multiple support link assembly  920  comprises a middle support member  922  that is movably coupled to the surgical end effector  300  as well as the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′. For example, the middle support member  922  is pivotally pinned to the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  such that it is pivotable relative thereto about a pivot axis PA. As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the middle support member  922  includes a distally protruding tab  923  that has a distal pivot hole  924  therein for receiving an upstanding support pin  332  that is formed on the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302 . As can be further seen in  FIG. 11 , the middle support member  922  further includes a proximally protruding tab  926  that has an elongate proximal slot  928  therein. The proximal slot  928  is configured to slidably receive a middle support pin  816  that is formed on the frame portion  812 . Such arrangement enables the middle support member  922  to pivot and move axially relative to said elongate shaft assembly  200 ′, for example. As can be seen in  FIGS. 11-13 , the middle support member  922  further includes centrally disposed slot  930  for movably receiving the distal firing beam  280  therethrough. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 11-15 , the multiple support link assembly  920  further comprises a proximal support link  940  and a distal support link  950 . The proximal support link  940  includes an elongate proximal body  942  that has a rounded proximal nose portion  943  and a rounded distal nose portion  944 . The proximal support link  940  further includes a pair of downwardly protruding, opposed proximal support walls  945 ,  946  that define a proximal slot  947  therebetween. Similarly, the distal support link  950  includes an elongate distal body  952  that has a rounded proximal nose portion  953  and a rounded distal nose portion  954 . The distal support link  950  further includes a pair of downwardly protruding opposed distal support walls  955 ,  956  that define a distal slot  957  therebetween. As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , the flexible distal firing beam  280  is configured to extend between the proximal support walls  945 ,  946  of the proximal support link  940  and the distal support walls  955 ,  956  of the distal support link  950 . The proximal support wall  945  includes an inwardly facing proximal arcuate surface  948  and the proximal support wall  946  includes an inwardly facing proximal arcuate support surface  949  that opposes said inwardly facing proximal arcuate surface  948 . The proximal arcuate support surfaces  948 ,  949  serve to provide lateral support to the lateral side portions of a proximal portion of the flexible distal firing beam  280  as it flexes during articulation of the end effector and traverses the articulation joint. The radiused surfaces may match the outer radius of the distal firing beam  280  depending upon the direction of articulation. Similarly, the distal support wall  955  includes an inwardly facing distal arcuate surface  958  and the distal support wall  956  includes an inwardly facing distal arcuate support surface  959  that opposes said distal arcuate surface  958 . The distal arcuate support surfaces  958 ,  959  serve to provide lateral support to the lateral side portions of a distal portion of the distal firing beam  280  as it flexes during articulation of the surgical end effector  300  and traverses the articulation joint. The distal arcuate surfaces  958 ,  959  may match the outer radius of the distal firing beam  280  depending upon the direction of articulation. As can be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the distal end  217  of the shaft spine  210  includes a distally-facing arcuate spine pocket  218  into which the rounded proximal nose portion  943  of the proximal support link  940  extends. The rounded distal nose portion  944  of the proximal support link  940  is pivotally received in an arcuate proximal pocket  932  in the middle support member  922 . In addition, the rounded proximal nose portion  953  of the distal support link is received in an arcuate distal support member pocket  934  in the distal end of the middle support member  922 . The rounded distal nose portion  954  of the distal support link  950  is movably received within a V-shaped channel cavity  334  formed in the upstanding lateral support walls  330  formed on the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302 . 
     The multiple support linkage assembly may provide higher lateral support to the flexible firing beam laminates as the beam flexes across higher articulation angles. Such arrangements also prevent the firing beam from buckling under high firing loads and across relatively high articulation angles. The elongate support links, in connection with the middle support member, serve to provide improved lateral support to the firing beam across the articulation zone than many prior support arrangements. In alternative arrangements, the support links may be configured to actually interlock with the middle support member at various articulation angles. The U-shaped support links facilitate easy installation and serve to provide support to the flexible support beams on each lateral side as well as the top of the beam to prevent the firing beam from bowing upwards during firing while being articulated. 
     In those embodiments wherein the firing member includes a tissue cutting surface, it may be desirable for the elongate shaft assembly to be configured in such a way so as to prevent the inadvertent advancement of the firing member unless an unspent staple cartridge is properly supported in the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300 . If, for example, no staple cartridge is present at all and the firing member is distally advanced through the end effector, the tissue would be severed, but not stapled. Similarly, if a spent staple cartridge (i.e., a staple cartridge wherein at least some of the staples have already been fired therefrom) is present in the end effector and the firing member is advanced, the tissue would be severed, but may not be completely stapled, if at all. It will be appreciated that such occurrences could lead to undesirable catastrophic results during the surgical procedure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING each disclose various firing member lockout arrangements. Each of those U.S. Patents is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     Such lockout arrangements may be effectively employed with a variety of surgical stapling instruments. Those arrangements, however, may not be particularly well-suited for use in connection with various surgical stapling instruments disclosed herein that employ relatively compact and short articulation joint configurations. For example,  FIGS. 15-19  illustrate a surgical end effector  300  that is operably attached to an elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ by an articulation joint  270 ′. The elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ defines a shaft axis SA-SA and the articulation joint  270 ′ facilitates selective articulation of the surgical end effector  300  relative to the elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ about an articulation axis B-B that is transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA. In the illustrated embodiment, a dual solid link articulation arrangement  800  (as was described above) may be employed to selectively apply articulation motions to the surgical end effector  300 . The elongate shaft assembly  200 ′ comprises a distal firing beam  280  of the type described above that is selectively axially movable within the surgical end effector  300  from a starting position to an ending position upon application of firing motions thereto. The distal firing beam  280  extends through the articulation joint  270 ′ and is configured to flex about the articulation axis B-B to accommodate articulation of the surgical end effector  300  in the various manners described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the articulation joint  270 ′ includes a middle support member  922  that is movably attached to the distal end  814  of the shaft frame  812  and the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302 . As was discussed above, the middle support member  922  includes a distally protruding tab  923  that has a distal pivot hole  924  therein for receiving an upstanding support pin  332  formed on the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302 . The middle support member  922  further includes a proximally protruding tab  926  that has an elongate proximal slot  928  therein. The proximal slot  928  is configured to slidably receive a middle support pin  816  formed on the frame portion  812 . The middle support  922  further includes a centrally disposed slot  930  for axially receiving the distal firing beam  280  therethrough. The middle support member  922  provides lateral support to the distal firing beam  280  during articulation of the surgical end effector  300  about the articulation axis B-B while facilitating its axial passage of the distal firing beam  280  therethrough during firing. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a firing beam locking assembly  980  is employed to prevent the distal firing beam  280  from being inadvertently advanced from the starting position to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge  304  has been operably seated in the cartridge support member or elongate channel  302 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 15-19 , the firing beam locking assembly  980  in one form includes a locking cam or detent  281  that is formed in the distal firing beam  280  such that it protrudes upwardly from the upper surface thereof. A biasing member  984  is supported on and attached to the middle support member  922 . As can be seen in  FIG. 16 , for example, the biasing member  984  is substantially planar and includes a window  985  that is configured to accommodate the locking cam  281  therein during articulation of the surgical end effector  300 . Thus, as the surgical end effector  300  is articulated about the articulation axis B-B, the biasing member  984  does not apply any biasing force or load to the distal firing beam  280 . This feature may avoid adding to the amount of articulation forces that must be generated to articulate the surgical end effector  300  about the articulation axis B-B. The biasing member  984  may be tack welded to the middle support member  922  or be attached thereto by other fastener methods such as by screws, pins, adhesive, etc. The window  985  may also define a locking band or portion  986  that serves to contact the locking cam  281  when the distal firing beam  280  is in the starting position. The locking cam  281  may be formed with a distal-facing sloping surface  283  and a proximally-facing sloping surface  285  to reduce the amount of firing force and retraction force required to axially move the distal firing beam  280 . See  FIG. 19 . 
     As was described above, the distal firing beam  280  is operably attached to a firing member  900  that includes a tissue cutting surface  904  on the firing member body  902 . In alternative arrangements, the tissue cutting surface may be attached to or otherwise formed on or directly supported by a portion of the distal firing beam  280 . In the illustrated arrangement, a laterally extending foot  905  is formed on the bottom of the firing member body  902 . The firing member body  902  further includes a wedge sled engagement member  906  that is configured to engage a wedge sled in the surgical staple cartridge  304  as will be discussed in further detail below. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an “unspent” or “unfired” surgical staple cartridge  304  that has been properly installed in the elongate channel  302 . As can be seen in that Figure, the wedge sled  910  is located in an “unfired” (proximal-most) position in the surgical staple cartridge  304 . The wedge sled  910  includes a proximally-facing sloping surface  914  that is configured to engage the wedge sled engagement member  906  on the firing member  900  to thereby bias the firing member  900  in an upward direction represented by arrow  988  such that the bottom portion and foot  905  of the firing member  900  are free to clear a lock wall  307  formed by a lock opening  303  in the bottom of the elongate channel  302 . When in that position, the distal firing beam  280  and the firing member  900  may be distally advanced within the elongate channel  302  and, more precisely, the surgical staple cartridge  304  mounted therein from the starting position illustrated in  FIG. 18  to the ending position with the surgical staple cartridge  304  wherein the wedge sled  910  has ejected all of the surgical staples that were operably supported in the surgical staple cartridge  304 . In such arrangements, after the firing member  900  has been completely fired (i.e., completely advanced from its starting position to is ending position within the surgical staple cartridge  304 ), the firing member  900  is retracted back to the starting position shown in  FIG. 19 . Because the wedge sled  910  has been distally advanced to the ending position in the staple cartridge  304  by the firing member  900  and the firing member  900  is not attached to the wedge sled  910 , when the firing member  900  is retracted back to the starting position, the wedge sled  910  remains in the ending position within the surgical staple cartridge  304  and does not return with the firing member  900  back to the starting position. Thus, the surgical staple cartridge  304  is said to be in a “used”, “spent” or “fired” condition. As can be seen in  FIG. 19 , when no wedge sled is present in an unfired state, the bottom of the body portion  902  as well as the foot  905  of the firing member  900  extends into the lock opening  303  in the bottom of the elongate channel  302  due to the biasing motion applied by the locking band  986  of the biasing member  984  to locking cam  281  on the distal firing beam  280 . When in that position, if the clinician were to unwittingly attempt to refire the spent surgical staple cartridge, the body portion  902  and/or the foot  905  would contact the wall  307  in the elongate channel  302  and would be prevented from moving from the starting position to the ending position. Thus, the firing beam locking assembly  980  prevents the advancement of the distal firing beam  280  as well as the firing member  900  from the starting position to the ending position unless an unfired or unspent surgical staple cartridge has been properly/operably installed in the elongate channel of the surgical end effector. It will also be appreciated that the firing beam locking assembly  980  also prevents advancement of the distal firing beam  280  when no staple cartridge at all has been installed in the elongate channel  302 . In addition to accommodating articulation of the surgical end effector  300  about the articulation axis B-B without applying additional load to the distal firing beam which could result in the need for increased articulation forces to articulate the surgical end effector, the firing beam locking assembly  980  applies no additional load on the firing member and/or the distal firing beam once it has been distally advanced past the lockout wall whether or not the end effector jaws are open or closed. 
       FIG. 20A  illustrates another articulatable surgical end effector embodiment  300 ′ that employs a firing beam locking assembly  980 ′ that comprises a biasing member  984 ′ that is mounted within the end effector closure sleeve  272 . As can be seen in that Figure, for example, the biasing member  984 ′ applies a biasing force to a sloped or tapered portion  283 ′ of the distal firing beam  280 ′. The firing beam locking assembly  980 ′ otherwise operates in the same manner as described above with respect to the firing beam locking assembly  980 . More specifically, the biasing member  984 ′ applies a biasing force to the distal firing beam  280 ′ that forces the distal firing beam  280 ′ and the firing member attached thereto downward within the elongate channel. Unless an unspent surgical staple cartridge with a wedge sled or other staple ejector member in an unfired position has been properly installed within the elongate channel or cartridge support member so as to operably engage with the firing member or firing beam to move the firing member/firing beam out of engagement with the lock wall, the firing member/firing beam would be prevented from being axially advanced from the starting to ending position. 
       FIGS. 21-25  illustrate a portion of another elongate shaft assembly  1200  that is similar to the elongate shaft assembly  200  described above, except for various differences discussed in further detail below. Those components of the elongate shaft assembly  1200  that have been discussed in detail above are referenced with like element numbers and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed in great detail beyond that which may be necessary to understand the operation of shaft assembly  1200  when, for example, employed with portions of the surgical instrument  10  as described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 21 , the elongate shaft assembly  1200  includes an articulation lock  1810  that is substantially similar to articulation lock  810  and operates in essentially the same manner. As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , the elongate shaft assembly  1200  includes a shaft frame  1812  that has a proximal cavity  1815  that is configured to movably support a proximal portion  1821  of a first distal articulation driver  1820  therein. The first distal articulation driver  1820  is movably supported within the elongate shaft assembly  1200  for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction “DD” and a proximal direction “PD” in response to articulation control motions applied thereto. The shaft frame  1812  further includes a distal end portion  1814  that has a pivot pin  1818  formed thereon. The pivot pin  1818  is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole (not shown) in a proximal end portion  1320  of an elongate channel  1302  of a surgical end effector  1300 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal travel (i.e., articulation) of the elongate channel  1302  of the relative to the shaft frame  1812  about an articulation axis B-B defined by the pivot hole and the pin  1818 . The shaft frame  1812  further includes a centrally disposed cavity  1817  and a distal notch  1819  that is located between the distal end  1814  and the centrally disposed cavity  1817 . 
     The shaft assembly  1200  further includes a second distal articulation driver  1860  that comprises an endless member  1862  that is rotatably journaled on a proximal pulley  1840  and a distal pulley  1340 . Still referring to  FIG. 22 , the proximal pulley  1840  is rotatably journaled on a pulley spindle  1842  that is mounted within the centrally disposed cavity  1817  within the shaft frame  1812 . The distal pulley  1340  is non-rotatably supported or formed on the proximal end  1320  of the elongate channel  1302  of the surgical end effector  1300 . In one form, the endless member  1862  comprises a cable that is fabricated from stainless steel, tungsten, aluminum, titanium, etc., for example. The cable may be of braided or multi-stranded construction with various numbers of strands to attain desired levels of tensile strength and flexibility. In various arrangements, for example, the cable  2382  may have a diameter in the range of 0.03 inches to 0.08 inches and more preferably in the range of 0.05-0.08 inches. A preferred cable may, for example, be fabricated from 300 series stainless steel—half hard to full hard. In various arrangements, the cable may also be coated with, for example, Teflon®, copper, etc. for improved lubricity and/or to reduce stretching, for example. A first lug  1863  is attached to one end of the cable and a second lug  1864  is attached to the other end of the cable by, for example, crimping. The cable is stretched in tension while the ends and/or the lugs  1863 ,  1864  are welded, glued, mechanically fastened, etc. together to form the endless member  1862 . The spindle  1842  may comprise a cam mount that engages the proximal pulley  1840  so as to move the pulley  1840  proximally. Other forms of tensioning arrangements such as belt tensioners, turnbuckle arrangements, etc. may also be employed to tension the endless member  1862 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 22 , the endless member  1862  is coupled to a distal end  1821  of the first distal articulation driver  1820  by a coupler assembly  1830 . The coupler assembly  1830  comprises an upper coupler portion  1832  formed on the distal end  1822  of the first distal articulation driver  1820  and a lower coupler portion  1834 . The lower coupler portion  1834  is formed with two cradles  1835  that are configured to receive the lugs  1862 ,  1864  therein. A pair of attachment pins  1836  is configured to be pressed into holes  1837  in the upper coupler portion  1832  to affix the two coupler portions  1832  and  1834  together. Other fastener arrangements, screws, rivets, adhesive, etc. may be employed. When the endless member  1862  is journaled on the pulleys  1840  and  1340 , the coupler assembly  1830  is free to move axially within the distal notch  1819  in the shaft frame  1812  in response to the axial movement of the first distal articulation driver  1820 . The articulation motions generated by the axial movement of the first distal articulation driver  1820  are transferred to the second distal articulation driver  1860  or the endless member  1862 . An attachment ball or lug  1866  is attached to the endless member  1862  and is received in a groove or pocket  1342  formed in the distal pulley  1340 . Thus, movement of the endless member  1862  is transferred to the surgical end effector  1300  and more specifically to the elongate channel  1302  of the surgical end effector  1300  to articulate the end effector about articulation axis B-B. Thus, when the first distal articulation driver  1820  is moved in the distal direction “DD”, the endless member  1862  causes the surgical end effector  1300  to articulate about the articulation axis B-B in the articulation direction represented by arrow  823 . See  FIG. 21 . Likewise, when the first distal articulation driver  1820  is moved in the proximal direction “PD”, the endless member  1862  causes the surgical end effector  1300  to articulate about the articulation axis B-B in the articulation direction represented by arrow  821 . See  FIGS. 21 and 25 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , articulation direction  823  is opposite to articulation direction  821 . 
       FIGS. 26-31  illustrate portions of another elongate shaft assembly  2200  that is similar to the elongate shaft assembly  200  described above, except for various differences discussed in further detail below. Those components of the elongate shaft assembly  2200  that have been discussed in detail above are referenced with like element numbers and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed in great detail beyond that which may be necessary to understand the operation of the elongate shaft assembly  2200  when, for example, employed with portions of the surgical instrument  10  as described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 26 , the elongate shaft assembly  2200  includes a proximal housing or nozzle  201  comprised of nozzle portions  202  and  203 . The elongate shaft assembly  2200  further includes an anvil actuator member in the form of a closure tube  2260  which can be utilized to close and/or open the anvil  2310  of the surgical end effector  2300  that is operably attached thereto. As can be seen in  FIG. 26 , the elongate shaft assembly  2200  includes a proximal spine  2210  which is configured to operably interface with an articulation lock  2350 . The proximal spine  2210  is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member  2220  therein and, two, slidably support the closure tube  2260  which extends around the proximal spine  2210 . The proximal spine  2210  also slidably supports a proximal articulation driver  2230 . The proximal articulation driver  2230  has a distal end  2231  that is configured to operably engage the articulation lock  2350 . 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the proximal spine  2210  comprises a proximal end  2211  which is rotatably supported in a chassis  240 . In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end  2211  of the proximal spine  2210  has a thread  2214  formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing configured to be supported within the chassis  240 . Such an arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the proximal spine  2210  to the chassis  240  such that the proximal spine  2210  may be selectively rotated about a shaft axis SA-SA relative to the chassis  240 . The proximal end of the closure tube  2260  is attached to a closure shuttle supported in the chassis as was described in detail above. When the elongate shaft assembly  2200  is operably coupled to the handle or housing of the surgical instrument  10 , operation of the closure trigger distally advances the closure tube  2260 . 
     As was also indicated above, the elongate shaft assembly  2200  further includes a firing member  2220  that is supported for axial travel within the proximal spine  2210 . The firing member  2220  includes an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting or firing beam assembly  2280 . See  FIG. 27 . The intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  may include a longitudinal slot  2223  in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive a tab on the proximal end of the distal firing beam assembly  2280 . The longitudinal slot  2223  and the proximal end of the distal firing beam assembly  2280  can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint. The slip joint can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  of the firing drive  2220  to be moved to articulate the end effector  300  without moving, or at least substantially moving, the distal firing beam assembly  2280 . Once the surgical end effector  2300  has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot  2223  comes into contact with the tab in order to advance the distal firing beam assembly  2280  and fire a staple cartridge that may be supported in the end effector  300 . The proximal spine  2210  is also coupled to a distal spine  2212 . 
     Similar to the elongate shaft assembly  200 , the illustrated elongate shaft assembly  2200  includes a clutch assembly  2400  which can be configured to selectively and releasably couple the proximal articulation driver  2230  to the firing member  2220 . In one form, the clutch assembly  2400  includes a lock collar, or sleeve  2402 , positioned around the firing member  2220  wherein the lock sleeve  2402  can be rotated between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve  2402  couples the proximal articulation driver  2230  to the firing member  2220  and a disengaged position in which the proximal articulation driver  2230  is not operably coupled to the firing member  2220 . When the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing member  2220  can move the proximal articulation driver  2230  distally and, correspondingly, proximal movement of the firing member  2220  can move the proximal articulation driver  2230  proximally. When lock sleeve  2402  is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing member  2220  is not transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  2230  and, as a result, the firing member  2220  can move independently of the proximal articulation driver  2230 . In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  2230  can be held in position by the articulation lock  2350  when the proximal articulation driver  2230  is not being moved in the proximal or distal directions by the firing member  2220 . 
     As discussed above, the lock sleeve  2402  can comprise a cylindrical, or at least a substantially cylindrical body including a longitudinal aperture  2403  defined therein configured to receive the firing member  2220 . The lock sleeve  2402  can comprise diametrically-opposed, inwardly-facing lock protrusions  2404  and an outwardly-facing lock member  2406 . The lock protrusions  2404  can be configured to be selectively engaged with the firing member  2220 . More particularly, when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position, the lock protrusions  2404  are positioned within a drive notch  2224  defined in the firing member  2220  such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transmitted from the firing member  2220  to the lock sleeve  2402 . When the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position, the second lock member  2406  is received within a drive notch  2232  defined in the articulation driver  2230  such that the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force applied to the lock sleeve  2402  can be transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  2230 . In effect, the firing member  2220 , the lock sleeve  2402 , and the proximal articulation driver  2230  will move together when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position. On the other hand, when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its disengaged position, the lock protrusions  2404  may not be positioned within the drive notch  2224  of the firing member  2220  and, as a result, a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force may not be transmitted from the firing member  2220  to the lock sleeve  2402 . Correspondingly, the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force may not be transmitted to the proximal articulation driver  2230 . In such circumstances, the firing member  2220  can be slid proximally and/or distally relative to the lock sleeve  2402  and the proximal articulation driver  2230 . 
     As was also discussed above, the elongate shaft assembly  2200  further includes a switch drum  2500  that is rotatably received on the closure tube  2260 . The switch drum  2500  comprises a hollow shaft segment  2502  that has a shaft boss  2504  formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuation pin  2410  therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin  2410  extends through a slot into a longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve  2402  to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve  2402  when it is engaged with the articulation driver  2230 . A rotary torsion spring  2420  is configured to engage the boss  2504  on the switch drum  2500  and a portion of the nozzle housing  203  to apply a biasing force to the switch drum  2500 . The switch drum  2500  can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings  2506  defined therein which can be configured to receive circumferential mounts extending from the nozzle halves  202 ,  203  and permit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum  2500  and the proximal nozzle  201 . As described above, rotation of the switch drum  2500  will ultimately result in the rotation of an actuation pin  2410  and the lock sleeve  2402  between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle  201  may be employed to operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with the firing drive system in the various manners described above as well as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , the closure tube assembly  2260  includes a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  2271 . According to various forms, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly  2271  includes an end effector closure sleeve  2272  having upper and lower distally projecting tangs. An upper double pivot link  2277  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang and an upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang on the closure tube  2260 . A lower double pivot link  2278  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang. 
     The elongate shaft assembly  2200  also includes a surgical end effector  2300  that is similar to the surgical end effector  300  that was described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 27 , the surgical end effector  2300  includes an elongate channel  2302  that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  2304  therein. The elongate channel  2302  has a proximal end portion  2320  that includes two upstanding lateral walls  2322 . The surgical end effector  2300  further includes an anvil  2310  that has an anvil body  2312  that has a staple-forming undersurface  2313  formed thereon. The proximal end  2314  of the anvil body  2312  is bifurcated by a firing member slot  2315  to form two anvil attachment arms  2316 . Each anvil attachment arm  2316  includes a laterally protruding anvil trunnion  2317 . A trunnion slot  2324  is provided in each lateral wall  2322  of the elongate channel  2302  for receiving a corresponding one of the anvil trunnions  2317  therein. Such arrangement serves to movably affix the anvil  2310  to the elongate channel  2302  for selective pivotable travel between open and closed or clamped positions. The anvil  2310  is moved to a closed position by distally advancing the closure tube  2260  and more particularly, the end effector closure sleeve  2272  up the tapered attachment arms  2316  which causes the anvil  2310  to move distally while pivoting to the closed position. A horseshoe-shaped opening  2273  is provided in the end effector closure sleeve  2272  that is configured to engage an upstanding tab  2318  on the anvil  2310  of the end effector  2300 . To open the anvil  2310 , the closure tube  2260  and, more particularly, the end effector closure sleeve  2272  is moved in the proximal direction. In doing so, a central tab portion defined by the horseshoe shaped opening  2273  cooperates with the tab  2318  on the anvil  2310  to pivot the anvil  2310  back to an open position. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 26, 28 and 29 , as mentioned above, the elongate shaft assembly  2200  includes an articulation lock  2350  that is substantially similar to articulation locks  350  and  810  that were described above. Those components of articulation lock  2350  that differ from the components of articulation lock  350  and are necessary to understand the operation of articulation lock  350  will be discussed in further detail below. As discussed above, the articulation lock  2350  can be configured and operated to selectively lock the end effector  2300  in position. Such arrangement enables the surgical end effector  2300  to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft closure tube  2260  when the articulation lock  2350  is in its unlocked state. When the proximal articulation driver  2230  is operatively engaged with the firing member  2220  via the clutch system  2400 , further to the above, the firing member  2220  can move the proximal articulation driver  2230  proximally and/or distally. Movement of the proximal articulation driver  2230 , whether it is proximal or distal, can unlock the articulation lock  2350  as was described above. This embodiment includes a proximal lock adapter member  2360  that is movably supported between the proximal spine  2210  and the distal spine  2212 . The proximal lock adapter  2360  includes a lock cavity  2362  for receiving therein first lock elements  2364  and second lock elements  2366  that are journaled on a frame rail  2368  that extends between the proximal frame  2210  and the distal frame  2212 . The articulation lock  2350  operates in the various manners described above and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed herein. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 26, 28 and 29 , a first distal articulation driver  2370  is attached to the proximal lock adapter  2360 . The first distal articulation driver  2370  is operably attached to a second distal articulation driver  2380  that operably interfaces with the elongate channel  2302  of the end effector  2300 . The second distal articulation driver  2380  comprises a cable  2382  that is rotatably journaled on a proximal pulley  2383  and a distal pulley  2392 . The distal pulley  2392  is non-rotatably supported or integrally formed on an end effector mounting assembly  2390  and includes a detent or pocket  2396 . In the illustrated example, the end effector mounting assembly  2390  is non-movably attached to the proximal end  2320  of the elongate channel  2302  by a spring pin  2393  that extends through a hole in the end effector mounting assembly  2390  and holes  2394  in the proximal end  2320  of the elongate channel  2302 . The proximal pulley  2383  is rotatably supported on the distal spine  2212 . The distal end of the distal spine  2212  has a pivot pin  2213  formed thereon that is configured to be rotatably received within a pivot hole  2395  formed in the end effector mounting member  2390 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal travel (i.e., articulation) of the elongate channel  2302  relative to the distal spine  2212  about an articulation axis B-B defined by the pivot hole  2395  and the pin  2213 . 
     In one form, the cable  2382  may be fabricated from stainless steel, tungsten, aluminum, titanium, etc., for example. The cable may be of braided or multi-stranded construction with various numbers of strands to attain desired levels of tensile strength and flexibility. In various arrangements, for example, the cable  2382  may have a diameter in the range of 0.03 inches to 0.08 inches and more preferably in the range of 0.05-0.08 inches. A preferred cable may, for example, be fabricated from 300 series stainless steel—half hard to full hard. In various arrangements, the cable may also be coated with, for example, Teflon®, copper, etc. for improved lubricity and/or to reduce stretching, for example. In the illustrated example, the cable  2382  has a lug  2384  attached to one end thereof and a lug  2385  attached to the other end thereof by, for example, crimping. The first distal articulation driver  2370  includes a pair of spaced cleats  2372 ,  2374  that are spaced from each other sufficiently so as to accommodate the lugs  2384 ,  2385  therebetween. For example, the proximal cleat  2372  includes a proximal slot  2373  for receiving a portion of the cable  2382  adjacent the lug  2384  and the distal cleat  2374  includes a distal slot  2375  for receiving a corresponding portion of the cable  2382  adjacent the lug  2385 . The slots  2373  and  2375  are sized relative to the lugs  2384 ,  2385 , respectively so as to prevent the lugs  2384 ,  2385  from pulling therethrough. The proximal slot  2375  is oriented at an angle as compared to the distal slot  2375  so as to cinchingly grip the corresponding portion of the cable  2382  therein. See  FIG. 30 . An attachment ball or lug  2398  is attached to the endless member  2382  and is received in the detent or pocket  2396  formed in the distal pulley  2392 . See  FIG. 31 . Thus, when the first distal articulation driver  2370  is axially retracted in the proximal direction “PD”, in the manners described above, the endless member  2382  will articulate the end effector  2300  in the direction represented by arrow  2376  in  FIG. 31 . Conversely, when the first distal articulation driver  2370  is axially advanced in the distal direction “DD”, the surgical end effector  2300  is articulated in the direction represented by arrow  2399  in  FIG. 31 . In addition, the proximal and distal cleats  2372 ,  2374  are spaced sufficiently so as to accommodate the lugs  2384 ,  2385  therebetween. A tensioning wedge  2378  is used as shown in  FIGS. 29-32  to apply sufficient tension to the cable  2382  such that when the cable is actuated, it will apply an articulation motion to the end effector  2300 . In the alternative arrangement depicted in  FIG. 35 , the proximal cleat  2374 ′ is initially not attached to the first articulation driver  2370 . The proximal cleat  2374 ′ is positioned on the first distal articulation driver  2370  so as to capture the lugs  2384  and  2385  between the distal cleat  2372  and the proximal cleat  2374 ′. The proximal cleat  2374 ′ is moved toward the distal cleat  2372  until a sufficient amount of tension is generated in the cable  2382  and then the proximal cleat  2374 ′ is attached to the first distal articulation driver  2370 . For example, the proximal cleat  2374 ′ may be attached to the first distal articulation driver  2370  by laser welding or other suitable form of attachment means or fastener arrangement. 
     Referring  FIGS. 36-39 , the surgical instrument includes for example, a central firing beam support member  2286  that is configured to extend across an articulation joint to provide support to a flexible firing beam assembly  2280 . In one form, the central firing beam support member  2286  comprises a flexible plate member or band and includes a downwardly protruding distal attachment tab  2287  that is attached to the surgical end effector and an upwardly extending proximal end portion  2288  that is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. In at least one arrangement, the distal attachment tab  2287  is attached to the end effector mounting assembly  2390  by the spring pin  2393  and the proximal end portion  2288  is pinned to the distal spine  2212  by pins (not shown). The central firing beam support member  2286  is located along the centerline or shaft axis of the device and serves to provide support to the firing beam during articulation. This is different from those arrangements that employ “blow-out” plates or lateral support plates that are located on the lateral sides of the firing beam and which are thereby offset from the shaft axis increasing the tension and compression forces that they experience during articulation. In the illustrated example, the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly  2280  comprises a laminated beam structure that includes at least two beam layers wherein at least one beam layer is configured to pass adjacent one lateral side of the central firing beam support member and at least one other beam member is configured to pass adjacent another lateral side of the central firing beam support member. In the illustrated example, two laminated layers  2282  and  2284  are configured to pass adjacent each side of the flexible tension carrying member. See, for example,  FIGS. 35 and 36 . In various embodiments, the laminated layers  2282  and  2284  may comprise, for example, stainless steel bands that are interconnected by, for example, welding or pinning together at their proximal ends, while their respective distal ends are not connected together to allow the laminates or bands to splay relative to each other when the end effector is articulated. Each pair of laminated layers or bands  2282 ,  2284  is represented as a lateral firing band assembly  2285  of the firing beam assembly  2280 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 36 , one lateral firing band assembly  2285  is supported on each lateral side of the central articulation bar  2286  for axial travel relative thereto by a series of lateral load carrying members  2290 . Each lateral load carrying member  2290  may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, liquid crystal polymer material, plastic material, Nylon, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, etc. and be formed with opposed arcuate ends  2292 . Each lateral load carrying member  2290  also has an axial passage  2294  extending therethrough to receive the assembly of the lateral firing band assemblies  2285  and the central articulation bar  2286 . As can be most particularly seen in  FIG. 38 , each axial passage is defined by two opposed arcuate surfaces  2295  that facilitate movement of lateral load carrying members  290  on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly  2280 . The lateral load carrying members  2290  are serially arranged on the lateral firing band assemblies  2285  and the central articulation bar  2286  such that the opposed arcuate ends  2292  abut corresponding arcuate ends  2292  of adjacent lateral load carrying members  2290 . See, for example,  FIGS. 36 and 37 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 37 , it can be seen that the proximal end portion  2288  central articulation bar  2286  extends downwardly for attachment to the distal spine  2212 . The distal end  2287  of the firing beam assembly  2280  is attached to a firing member  2900  of the type and construction describe above, for example. As can be seen in that Figure, the firing member  2900  includes a vertically-extending firing member body  2902  that has a tissue cutting surface or blade  2904  thereon. In addition, a wedge sled  2910  may be mounted within the surgical staple cartridge  2304  for driving contact with the firing member  2900 . As the firing member  2900  is driven distally through the cartridge body  2304 , the wedge surfaces  2912  of the wedge sled  2910  contact the staple drivers to actuate the drivers and the surgical staples supported thereon upwardly in the cartridge  2304 . The firing beam assembly  2280  is operated in the various manners described above. As the firing beam assembly  2280  is distally advanced about the articulation joint, the lateral load carrying members  2290  may help to resist buckling loads on the firing beam assembly  2280 . The lateral load carrying members  2290  may also reduce the amount of force required to articulate the end effector and also accommodate greater articulation angles when compared to other articulation joint arrangements. The fixed central firing beam support member  2286  serves to carry the tension loads that are generated during articulation and firing. 
     As described above, the firing beam assembly comprises a laminated beam structure that includes at least two beam layers. As the firing beam assembly is advanced distally (during firing), the firing beam assembly is essentially bifurcated by the central firing beam support member so that portions of the firing beam assembly (i.e., laminate layers) pass on both sides of the of the central firing beam support member. 
       FIGS. 40-43  illustrate a portion of another firing beam assembly  2280 ′ that is attached to a firing member  2900 . As can be seen in those Figures, the firing beam assembly  2280  comprises a laminated structure that includes two outer lateral beams or layers  2282 ′ that each have a thickness that is designated as “a” and four central layers  2284 ′ that each have a thickness designated as “b”. In at least one arrangement, for example, “a” may be approximately 0.005-0.008 inches and more preferably 0.008 inches and “b” may be approximately 0.008-0.012 inches and more preferably 0.010 inches. However, other thicknesses may be employed. In the illustrated example, “a” is less than “b”. In other arrangements, “a” is greater than “b”. In alternative arrangements, for example, the laminates may be made up of three different thicknesses “a”, “b”, “c”, wherein “a”=0.006 inches, “b”=0.008 inches, and “c”=0.010 inches (with the thickest laminate or band being in the center of the assembly). In various arrangements, there may be an odd number of laminates or bands where “c” is the single thickest laminate in the center. 
     The laminate composition is relevant because of the amount of strain that is applied to a beam assembly based on its thickness and its distance from the centerline of bending. Thicker laminates or bands that are closer to the centerline may experience the same levels of strain as the thinner ones that are farther away from the centerline because they have to be bent more in view of the fact that they are stacked together. The radius of curvature is more aggressive on the inside of the curve the father away from the centerline. Thicker laminates or bands tend to experience more internal stress than thinner laminates given the same radius of curvature. Thus, thinner side laminates or bands that have the smallest radius of curvature may have the same likelihood of plastically deforming as the thicker ones that are closure to the centerline. Stated another way, when the end effector articulates in one direction, the laminates or bands located away from the direction of articulation have the largest bend radius and the laminates or bands closest to the direction of articulation have the tightest bend radius. However, when the end effector is articulated in the opposite direction, the inverse is true. The laminates on the inside of the laminate stack experience the same deviation, but their bend radius will always fall within the range of the outer ones. Thus, to maintain flexibility, locating thinner laminates on the outside of the stack may be desired. However, to maximize stiffness and buckling resistance, thicker materials on the inside add additional benefit. Alternately, if the end effector needs only to articulate in a single direction, the laminates or bands located away from the direction of articulation will experience the greatest bend radius and the laminates or bands located in the direction of articulation have the tightest bend radius. However, because the end effector does not articulate in an opposite direction, the inverse is no longer true and therefor, the laminate stack does not need to be symmetric. Thus, in such arrangement, it would be desirable to have the thinnest laminate or band be the one that will experience the tightest bend radius (the laminate or band on the side of the direction of articulation). 
     In still other arrangements, the laminates or bands may be fabricated from different metals with different strengths and modulus. For example, the outer laminates or bands could have the same thickness as the inner laminates or bands with the inner laminates or bands being fabricated from 300 series stainless steel and the outer laminates or bands being fabricated from titanium or nitinol. 
     As can also be seen in  FIGS. 42 and 43 , the distal firing beam assembly  2280 ′ may be effectively employed with the series of lateral load carrying members  2290  described above. It will be appreciated that the distal firing beam assembly  2280  may also be used in connection with a central articulation bar  2286  in the manner described above so that some of the layers or lateral beams (or bands or laminates) thereof axially advance along the sides of the central articulation bar. In some embodiments, the layers advancing on each side of the central articulation bar  2286  may have the same thickness, composition, shape and configuration. In other arrangements the layer or layers passing along one side of the central articulation bar may have a different thickness and/or composition and/or shape than the thickness and/or composition and/or shape of the layer or layers passing along the opposite side of the central articulation bar, so as to achieve a desired range of travel and flexibility while maintaining a desired amount of stiffness so as to avoid buckling during firing. 
       FIGS. 44-46  illustrate a portion of another elongate shaft assembly  3200  that includes a surgical end effector  300  of the type and construction described above. Other forms of surgical end effectors may also be employed. The elongate shaft assembly  3200  also includes a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly  3280  that is attached to a firing member  900 . In alternative arrangements, the distal end of the firing beam assembly  3280  may be configured to perform various actions within the surgical end effector without the need for a firing member attached thereto. The flexible firing beam assembly  3280  may comprise a laminated beam arrangement of the various types described herein. In one arrangement, at least two compression bands are employed to provide lateral support to the flexible firing beam assembly  3280  as it traverses the articulation joint. The illustrated embodiment employs a total of four compression bands for providing lateral support to the flexible firing beam as it traverses the articulation joint. For example, the elongate shaft assembly  3200  further includes a spine  3210  that includes a distal end  3217  that has two distal cavities, or notches  3219 , and two proximal cavities, or notches  3219 ′, formed therein. One distal cavity  3219  accommodates a first proximal end  3904  of a first compression band  3900  located on one lateral side  3281  of said flexible firing beam assembly  3280  and the other distal cavity  3219  accommodates a second proximal end  3905  of a second compression band  3901  located on another lateral side  3283  of the flexible firing beam assembly  3280 . The first compression band  3900  includes a first distal end  3902  that is mounted within a corresponding upstanding lateral support wall  330  formed on the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300 . Similarly, the second compression band  3901  includes a second distal end  3907  that is also mounted within a corresponding upstanding lateral support wall  330  formed on the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300 . The first and second distal compression bands  3900 ,  3901  may be fabricated from spring steel or the like and the proximal ends  3904 ,  3905  may be folded in a U-shaped fashion to form a biasing portion configured to be movably received within the distal notches  3219  as shown. Such arrangement permits the first and second distal compression bands  3900 ,  3901  to flex in response to the articulation of the surgical end effector  300  while retaining the proximal ends  3904 ,  3905  within their corresponding distal notches  3219 . 
     As can also be seen in  FIGS. 44-46 , the elongate shaft assembly  3200  further includes a third compression band  3910  and a fourth compression band  3911 . Like the first and second compression bands  3900 ,  3901 , the third and fourth compression bands  3910 ,  3911  may be fabricated from spring steel. As can be seen in  FIGS. 44-46 , the third compression band  3910  may be situated between the first compression band  3900  and the lateral side  3281  of the flexible firing beam assembly  3280  and the fourth compression band  3911  may be situated between the second compression band  3901  and the another lateral side  3283  of the flexible firing band assembly  3280 . The third proximal end  3914  of the third compression band  3910  as well as the fourth proximal end  3915  of the fourth compression band  3911  may each be folded in a U-shaped fashion to form a biasing portion that is movably received within a corresponding proximal cavity  3219 ′ in the spine  3210 . The third distal end  3912  of the third compression band  3910  and the fourth distal end  3917  of the fourth compression band  3911  are mounted in a corresponding lateral support wall  330  in the surgical end effector  300 . 
     The elongate shaft assembly  3200  further comprises a movable support link assembly  3920  for providing further lateral support to the flexible firing beam assembly  3280  as the end effector  300  is articulated about the articulation axis. As can be seen in  FIGS. 44-46 , the movable support link assembly  3920  comprises a middle support member  3922  that is movably coupled to the surgical end effector  300  as well as the elongate shaft assembly  3200 . In one embodiment, the middle support member  3922  is pivotally pinned to the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302 . The middle support member  3922  further includes a proximally protruding tab  3926  that has an elongate proximal slot  3928  therein. The proximal slot  3928  is configured to slidably receive a middle support pin  3211  formed on the spine  3210 . Such arrangement permits the relative pivotal and axial movement between the middle support member  3922  and the spine  3210  of the elongate shaft assembly  3200  so as to accommodate a larger range of articulation while being able to dynamically move so as to maintain adequate lateral support on the firing beam assembly  3280 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 44-46 , the middle support member  3922  further includes centrally disposed slot  3930  for axially receiving the firing beam assembly  3280  therethrough. 
     As can be further seen in  FIGS. 44-46 , the movable support link assembly  3920  further comprises an elongate movable pivot link  3940 . The pivot link  3940  includes a central body portion  3942  that has proximally protruding proximal nose portion  3943  and a distally-protruding distal nose portion  3944 . The pivot link  3940  further includes a first downwardly-protruding lateral support wall  3945  and a second downwardly protruding lateral support wall  3946  that define a beam slot  3947  therebetween. As can be seen in  FIG. 46 , the firing beam assembly  3280  is configured to extend between the first and second lateral support walls  3945 ,  3946  during actuation of the firing beam assembly  3280  and articulation of the surgical end effector  300 . Further, in the illustrated arrangement, for example, the first compression band  3900  extends between the first lateral support wall  3945  and the third compression band  3910  and the second compression band  3901  extends between the second lateral support wall  3946  and the fourth compression band  3911 . The first lateral support wall  3945  includes an inwardly facing first arcuate surface  3948  and the second lateral support wall  3946  includes an inwardly facing second arcuate surface  3949 . The first and second arcuate surfaces  3948 ,  3949  serve to provide lateral support to the firing beam assembly  3280  as it flexes during articulation of the end effector  300 . The radiused surfaces may match the outer radius of the firing beam assembly  3280  and compression bands  3900 ,  3901 ,  3910 ,  3911  depending upon the direction and degree of articulation. As can also be seen in  FIGS. 44 and 45 , the distal end  3217  of the spine  3210  includes a pair of right and left opposing shaft notches  3218  into which the rounded proximally-protruding proximal nose portion  3943  of the pivot link  3940  extends depending upon the direction in which the surgical end effector is articulated about the articulation axis. Similarly, right and left opposed support notches  3932  are provided in the middle support  3922  to accommodate the distally-protruding distal nose portion  3944  of the pivot link  3940  depending upon the direction in which the end effector is articulated. Such notch arrangements serve to properly align the pivot link  3940  in an orientation suited to accommodate the direction of articulation while affording lateral support to the pivot link  3940 . 
       FIGS. 47-51  illustrate another elongate shaft assembly  4200  that is, in some aspects, similar to the elongate shaft assembly  2200  described above, except for various differences discussed in further detail below. Those components of the elongate shaft assembly  2200  that have been discussed in detail above will contain like element numbers and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed in great detail beyond that which may be necessary to understand the operation of elongate shaft assembly  4200  when, for example, employed with portions of the surgical instrument  10  as described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 47 , in at least one example, the elongate shaft assembly  4200  includes an articulation lock  2350 . As was discussed in detail above, the articulation lock assembly  2350  includes a proximal lock adapter  2360  that is coupled (e.g., pinned) to a first distal articulation driver  4370 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 47 and 50 , the first distal articulation driver  4370  includes a first proximal gear rack segment  4371  and a first distal gear rack segment  4373  formed on a distal end  4372  thereof. The elongate shaft assembly  4200  also includes a second distal articulation driver  4380  that includes a second proximal gear rack segment  4381  and a second distal gear rack segment  4383  that is formed on a distal end  4382  thereof. 
     The first distal articulation driver  4370  and the second distal articulation driver  4380  are configured to move axially relative to the distal spine assembly  4212  in the proximal direction “PD” and the distal direction “DD”. As can be seen in  FIG. 50 , the first proximal gear rack segment  4371  and the second proximal gear rack segment  4381  are in meshing engagement with a proximal power transfer gear  4390  that is rotatably supported by the distal spine assembly  4212 . Likewise, the first distal gear rack segment  4373  and the second distal gear rack segment  4383  are in meshing engagement with a distal power transfer gear assembly  4392 . In particular, in at least one arrangement, the distal power transfer gear assembly  4392  includes a pinion gear  4393  that is in meshing engagement with the first distal gear rack segment  4373  and the second distal gear rack segment  4383 . The distal power transfer gear assembly  4392  further includes a drive gear  4394  that is arranged in meshing engagement with an idler gear  4395 . The idler gear  4395  is, in turn, supported in meshing engagement with a driven gear  4306  that is formed on the proximal end portion  4320  of the elongate channel  4302  of a surgical end effector  4300 . The surgical end effector  4300  may otherwise be similar to the surgical end effector  2300  and include an anvil  4310  that may be opened and closed in the various manners described above. Referring to  FIGS. 48, 49 and 51 , the distal spine assembly  4212  may comprise an upper spine portion  4212 A and a lower spine portion  4212 B. The distal power transfer gear assembly  4392 , the idler gear  4395  and the driven gear portion  4306  of the elongate channel  4302  are each pivotally attached to or supported on the bottom portion  4212 B of the distal spine assembly  4212 . 
     The elongate shaft assembly  4200  depicted in  FIG. 47  includes a firing beam assembly  3280  that is attached to a firing member (not shown). The firing beam assembly  3280  may comprise a laminated beam arrangement of the types described herein. Operation of the firing member was described in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. As can also be seen in  FIG. 47 , a firing beam support member  4400  of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, is employed to provide support to the firing beam assembly  3280  during articulation of the surgical end effector  4300 .  FIG. 52  illustrates use of a distal firing beam assembly  2280  in an elongate shaft assembly  4200 . As can be seen in that Figure, a plurality of lateral load carrying members  2290  are employed in the manner described above to provide support to the distal firing beam assembly  2280  as the surgical end effector  4300  is articulated. 
       FIGS. 53-58  illustrate another elongate shaft assembly  5200  that is, in some aspects, similar to the elongate shaft assembly  2200  described above, except for various differences discussed in further detail below. Those components of the elongate shaft assembly  5200  that have been discussed in detail above with respect to the elongate shaft assembly  2200  will be identified with like element numbers and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed in great detail beyond that which may be necessary to understand the operation of the elongate shaft assembly  5200  when, for example, employed with portions of the surgical instrument  10  as described above. 
     Similar to the elongate shaft assembly  2200 , the illustrated elongate shaft assembly  5200  includes a clutch assembly  2400  which is configured to operably engage an articulation system  5600  that is configured to apply push and pulling articulation motions to the surgical end effector  300  that is operably coupled thereto. In this embodiment, the clutch assembly  2400  includes a lock collar, or lock sleeve  2402 , that is positioned around the firing member  2220  wherein the lock sleeve  2402  can be rotated between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve  2402  operably engages the articulation system  5600  to the firing member  2220  and a disengaged position in which the articulation system  5600  is not operably coupled to the firing member  2220 . Referring specifically to  FIGS. 54-56 , in the illustrated example, the articulation system  5600  comprises an articulation disc or rotary member  5602  that is supported for rotational movement within the nozzle  201 . The articulation disc  5602  is rotatably driven by a drive connection assembly  5610 . In the illustrated example, the drive connection assembly  5610  includes a drive pin  5612  that is attached to the articulation disc  5602 . An articulation drive link  5614  is operably attached to the drive pin  5612  by a connector  5616  that facilitates some movement of the articulation drive link  5614  relative to the drive pin  5612 . See  FIGS. 54-56 . The articulation drive link  5614  includes a drive coupler  5618  that is configured to drivingly engage the outwardly facing lock member  2406  on the lock sleeve  2402 . See  FIG. 53 . 
     As discussed above, the lock sleeve  2402  can comprise a cylindrical, or at least a substantially cylindrical body including a longitudinal aperture  2403  defined therein configured to receive the firing member  2220 . See  FIG. 53 . The lock sleeve  2402  can comprise diametrically-opposed, inwardly-facing lock protrusions  2404  and an outwardly-facing lock member  2406 . The lock protrusions  2404  can be configured to be selectively engaged with the firing member  2220 . More particularly, when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position, the lock protrusions  2404  are positioned within a drive notch  2224  defined in the firing member  2220  such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transmitted from the firing member  2220  to the lock sleeve  2402 . When the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position, the outwardly facing lock member  2406  is received within a drive notch  5619  in the drive coupler  5618  as shown in  FIG. 53  such that the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force applied to the lock sleeve  2402  can be transmitted to the articulation drive link  5614 . In effect, the firing member  2220 , the lock sleeve  2402 , and the articulation drive link  5614  will move together when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its engaged position. On the other hand, when the lock sleeve  2402  is in its disengaged position, the lock protrusions  2404  may not be positioned within the drive notch  2224  of the firing member  2220  and, as a result, a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force may not be transmitted from the firing member  2220  to the lock sleeve  2402 . Correspondingly, a drive force “DF” may not be applied to the articulation disc  5602 . In such circumstances, the firing member  2220  can be slid proximally and/or distally relative to the lock sleeve  2402  and the proximal articulation driver  2230 . 
     As was also discussed above, the elongate shaft assembly  5200  further includes a switch drum  2500  that is rotatably received on the closure tube  2260 . See  FIG. 53 . The switch drum  2500  comprises a hollow shaft segment  2502  that has a shaft boss  2504  formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuation pin  2410  therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin  2410  extends into a longitudinal slot  2401  provided in the lock sleeve  2402  to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve  2402  when it is engaged with the articulation drive link  5614 . A rotary torsion spring  2420  is configured to engage the boss  2504  on the switch drum  2500  and a portion of the nozzle housing  201  to apply a biasing force to the switch drum  2500 . As also discussed above, the switch drum  2500  can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings defined therein which can be configured to receive circumferential mounts extending from the nozzle halves and permit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum  2500  and the nozzle housing  201 . As described above, rotation of the switch drum  2500  will ultimately result in the rotation of an actuation pin  2410  and the lock sleeve  2402  between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle housing  201  may be employed to operably engage and disengage the articulation system  5600  with the firing drive system in the various manners described above as well as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 53-56 , the articulation system  5600  of the illustrated example, further includes a “first” or right articulation linkage  5620  and a “second” or left articulation linkage  5640 . The first articulation linkage  5620  includes a first articulation link  5622  that includes a first articulation pin  5624  that is movably received within a first articulation slot  5604  in the articulation disc  5602 . The first articulation link  5622  is movably pinned to a first articulation connector  5626  that is configured to engage an articulation lock  2350 . As discussed above, the articulation lock  2350  can be configured and operated to selectively lock the surgical end effector  300  in position. Such arrangement enables the surgical end effector  300  to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft closure tube  2260  when the articulation lock  2350  is in its unlocked state. When the articulation drive link  5614  is operably engaged with the firing member  2220  via the clutch system  2400 , further to the above, the firing member  2220  can rotate the articulation disc  6502  to move the first articulation linkage  5620  proximally and/or distally. Movement of the first articulation connector  5626  of the first articulation linkage  5620 , whether it is proximal or distal, can unlock the articulation lock  2350  as was described above. The proximal lock adapter  2360  includes a lock cavity  2362  for receiving therein first lock elements  2364  and second lock elements  2366  that are journaled on a frame rail that extends between the proximal frame  2210  and the distal frame. Operation of the articulation lock  2350  operates in the various manners described above and, for the sake of brevity, will not be further discussed herein. As can be seen in  FIG. 53 , a first distal articulation driver  5370  is attached to the proximal lock adapter  2360 . The first distal articulation driver  5370  is operably attached to the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300 . 
     As was also indicated above, the articulation system  5600  of the illustrated example, further includes a “second” or left articulation linkage  5640 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 54-56 , the second articulation linkage  5640  includes a second articulation link  5642  that includes a second articulation pin  5644  that is movably received within a second articulation slot  5606  in the articulation disc  5602 . The second articulation link  5642  is pinned to a second articulation bar  5646  that is attached to the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  of the surgical end effector  300 . Referring to  FIG. 54 , the articulation system  5600  further includes a first articulation biasing member 
       5628  that is received within the first articulation slot  5604  and a second articulation biasing member  5648  that is received within the second articulation slot  5606 .  FIG. 54  illustrates the articulation system  5600  in a neutral or unarticulated configuration. As can be seen in that Figure, the first articulation pin  5624  is in contact with the first articulation biasing member  5628  and the second articulation pin  5644  is in contact with the second articulation biasing member  5648 . However, when in that neutral position, the first and second articulation biasing members  5628 ,  5648  may not be in a compressed state.  FIG. 55  illustrates application of the drive force “DF” to the articulation disc  5602  in the proximal direction “PD” by the articulation drive link  5614  in the above-described manner. Application of the drive force DF in the proximal direction PD results in rotation of the articulation disc  5602  in the rotary direction represented by arrow  5601 . As the articulation disc  5602  rotates in the rotary direction  5601 , the end of the second articulation slot contacts the second articulation pin  5644  and applies a pushing force to the second articulation linkage  5640  and ultimately to the second articulation bar  5646 . Conversely, the first articulation biasing member  5628  urges the first articulation pin  5624  in the direction of arrow  5601  within the first articulation slot  5604  such that a pulling force is applied to the first articulation linkage  5620  in the proximal direction “PD”. This proximal pulling force is transmitted to the first distal articulation driver  5370  through the articulation lock  2350 . Such “pushing and pulling motions” as applied to the surgical end effector causes the surgical end effector  300  to articulate about the articulation axis in the direction represented by arrow  5300 . See  FIG. 53 . When the articulation disc  5602  is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 55 , the second articulation biasing member  5648  may be in a compressed state and the first articulation biasing member may not be compressed. Thus, when the application of drive force DF to the articulation drive link  5614  is discontinued, the second articulation biasing member  5648  may bias the articulation disc  5602  back to the neutral position shown in  FIG. 54 , for example. 
     Conversely, when the drive force “DF” is applied to the articulation drive link  5614  in the distal direction “DD” as shown in  FIG. 56 , the articulation disc  5602  rotates in the rotary direction represented by arrow  5603 . As the articulation disc  5602  rotates in the rotary direction  5603 , the end of the first articulation slot  5604  contacts the first articulation pin  5624  and applies a pushing force to the first articulation linkage  5620  and ultimately to the first distal articulation driver  5370  through the articulation lock  2350 . In addition, the second articulation biasing member  5648  urges the second articulation pin  5644  in the direction of arrow  5603  within the second articulation slot  5606  such that a pulling force is applied to the second articulation linkage  5640  in the proximal direction “PD”. This proximal pulling force is transmitted to the second articulation bar  5646 . Such “pushing and pulling motions” as applied to the surgical end effector  300  causes the surgical end effector  300  to articulate about the articulation axis in the direction represented by arrow  5302 . See  FIG. 53 . When the articulation disc  5602  is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 56 , the first articulation biasing member  5628  may be in a compressed state and the second articulation biasing member  5648  may not be compressed. Thus, when the application of drive force DF to the articulation drive link  5614  is discontinued, the first articulation biasing member  5628  may bias the articulation disc  5602  back to the neutral position shown in  FIG. 54 , for example. 
       FIG. 57  illustrates the attachment of the distal end portion  814  of the shaft frame  812  to the surgical end effector  300  that is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly  5200 . As described above, the distal end portion  814  has a downwardly protruding pivot pin (not shown) thereon that is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole (not shown) that is formed in the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal travel of the elongate channel  302  relative to the shaft frame  812  about an articulation axis B-B defined by the pivot hole. As can also be seen in  FIG. 57 , the first distal articulation driver  5370  is attached to a first coupler  850  by a first ball joint  852 . The first coupler  850  is also pivotally pinned to the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302  by a first pin  854  as can be seen in  FIG. 57 . Similarly, the second articulation bar  5646  is attached to a second coupler  870  by a second ball joint  872 . The second coupler  870  is also pivotally pinned to the proximal end portion  320  of the elongate channel  302  by a second pin  874  as can be seen in  FIG. 57 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 53 and 58 , the elongate shaft assembly  5200  may also include a firing beam assembly  2280  that is attached to a firing member  900  of the type described above. The firing beam assembly  2280  is attached to the firing member  2220  and may be axially advanced and retracted in the various manners described above. The elongate shaft assembly  5200  may further comprise a multiple support link assembly  920  for providing lateral support to the distal firing beam  2280  as the surgical end effector  300  is articulated about the articulation axis B-B. As can be seen in  FIG. 58 , the multiple support link assembly  920  comprises a middle support member  922  that is pivotally pinned to the proximal end  320  of the elongate channel  302  in the manners described above. The middle support member  922  further includes centrally disposed slot  930  for axially receiving the distal firing beam  2280  therethrough. The multiple support link assembly  920  further comprises a proximal support link  940  and a distal support link  950 . The proximal support link  940  includes a body portion  942  that has a rounded proximal end  943  and a rounded distal end  944 . The proximal support link  940  further includes a pair of downwardly protruding lateral support walls  945  that define a proximal slot therebetween. Similarly, the distal support link  950  includes a body portion  952  that has a rounded proximal end  953  and a rounded distal end  954 . The distal support link  950  further includes a pair of downwardly protruding lateral support walls  955  that define a distal slot therebetween. As can be seen in  FIG. 58 , the distal firing beam  2280  is configured to extend between the lateral support walls  945  of the proximal support link  940  and the lateral support walls  955  of the distal support link  950 . Each support wall  945  and  955  includes an inwardly facing arcuate surface as was described above. The support surfaces serve to provide lateral support to the distal firing beam  2280  as it flexes during articulation of the surgical end effector  300 . In addition, the closure tube assembly  2260  may include a double pivot closure sleeve assembly of the type described above that is configured to operably interact with the anvil on the surgical end effector  300 . Operation of the closure tube assembly  2260  results in the opening and closing of the anvil of the surgical effector in the various manners described above. 
       FIG. 59  illustrates a portion of another elongate shaft assembly  5700  that may be substantially similar to the elongate shaft assembly  5200  except for the differences discussed below. In particular, the articulation disc  5702  of the articulation system  5701  is rotated by a worm gear motor  5710  that is operably supported in the nozzle housing  201 . In one embodiment, for example, a driven gear  5703  is integrally formed or otherwise non-movably attached to the articulation disc  5702  such that it is in meshing engagement with the worm gear drive  5712  of the motor  5710 . In the illustrated example, a first articulation rod or member  5720  may be directly attached to a portion of a surgical end effector in any of the various manners described herein. A first articulation pin  5722  is attached to the first articulation rod  5720  and is received within an arcuate first articulation slot  5704  formed in the articulation disc  5702 . A first articulation biasing member  5705  is received within the first articulation slot  5704  for biasing contact with the first articulation pin  5722 . Likewise, a second articulation rod or member  5730  may be directly or indirectly attached to a portion of a surgical end effector in any of the various manners described herein. A second articulation pin  5732  is attached to the second articulation rod  5730  and is received within an arcuate second articulation slot  5706  formed in the articulation disc  5702 . A second articulation biasing member  5707  is received within the second articulation slot  5706  for biasing contact with the second articulation pin  5732 . 
       FIG. 59  illustrates the articulation system  5701  in a neutral or unarticulated configuration. As can be seen in that Figure, the first articulation pin  5722  is in contact with the first articulation biasing member  5705  and the second articulation pin  5732  is in contact with the second articulation biasing member  5707 . However, when in that neutral position, the first and second articulation biasing members  5705 ,  5707  may not be in a compressed state. Actuation of the motor  5710  to rotate the articulation disc  5702  in the rotary direction represented by arrow  5601  will apply a pulling motion to the first articulation rod  5720  to cause the first articulation rod  5720  to move in the proximal direction “PD” as well as to apply a pushing motion to the second articulation rod  5730  to cause the second articulation rod  5730  to move in the distal direction “DD”. Conversely, actuation of the motor  5710  to rotate the articulation disc  5702  in the rotary direction represented by arrow  5603  will apply a pushing motion to the first articulation rod  5720  to cause the first articulation rod  5720  to move in the distal direction “DD” as well as to apply a pulling motion to the second articulation rod  5730  to cause the second articulation rod  5730  to move in the proximal direction “PD”. Such “pushing and pulling motions” as applied to the surgical end effector, causes the surgical end effector to articulate about the articulation axis in the various manners described above. 
       FIGS. 60-65  illustrate another articulation system  5800  that may be employed with various elongate shaft assemblies and effector arrangements described herein. In this embodiment, however, the articulation system  5800  comprises a dual articulation disc assembly  5810  that comprises a driver articulation disc  5820  and a driven articulation disc  5830 . Both of the articulation discs  5820 ,  5830  may, for example, be rotatably supported within the nozzle housing of the elongate shaft assembly such that both discs  5820 ,  5830  are independently rotatable about a common axis. In various embodiments, drive motions may be applied to the driver articulation disc  5820  by an articulation drive link  5614  and firing member arrangement  2220  as was described above. In other embodiments, rotary drive motions may be applied to the driver articulation disc  5820  by a worm gear motor  5710  in the manner described above. 
       FIG. 61  illustrates one form of a driver disc  5820 . As can be seen in that Figure, the driver disc  5820  includes a first pair of first arcuate articulation slots  5822 L,  5822 R that each has a first arcuate length “FL”. In addition, the driver articulation disc  5820  further includes a driver slot  5824  that is centrally disposed between the first articulation slots  5822  as can be seen in  FIG. 61 . Depending upon the method employed to drive the driver articulation disc  5820 , the articulation drive link  5614  or the worm gear motor  5710  may interface with the driver articulation disc  5820  in the various manners described above to apply rotary motions to the driver articulation disc  5820 .  FIG. 62  illustrates one form of a driven articulation disc  5830 . As can be seen in that Figure, the driven articulation disc  5830  includes a second pair of second arcuate articulation slots  5832 L,  5832 R that each have a second arcuate length “SL” that is less than the first arcuate length “FL”. In addition, the driven articulation disc  5830  further includes a driver post  5834  that is configured to be movably received within the driver slot  5824 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 60 and 63-65 , the articulation system  5800  further comprises a first articulation rod  5840  that may be directly or indirectly attached to a portion of a surgical end effector in any of the various manners described herein. A first articulation pin  5842  is attached to the first articulation rod  5720  and is received within corresponding first and second arcuate articulation slots  5822 L,  5832 L. Likewise, a second articulation rod or member  5850  may be directly attached to a portion of the same surgical end effector in any of the various manners described herein. A second articulation pin  5852  is attached to the second articulation rod  5850  and is received within corresponding first and second arcuate articulation slots  5822 R,  5832 R.  FIG. 60  illustrates the articulation system  5800  in a null position wherein the surgical end effector may be freely moved.  FIG. 63  illustrates the position of the articulation system  5800  upon an initial application of rotary motion to the driver articulation disc  5820  in the direction represented by arrow  5860 . As can be seen in that Figure, upon initial rotation of the driver articulation disc  5820 , the articulation slots  5822 L,  5832 L are offset from each other and the articulation slots  5822 R,  5832 R are offset from each other, but no motion has yet been transferred to articulation rods  5840 ,  5850 .  FIG. 64  illustrates the position of the articulation system  5800  upon continued application of the rotary motion to the driver articulation disc  5820  in the direction of arrow  5860  sufficient enough to result in, for example, a seventy-five degree of articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft axis. As can be seen in that Figure, a pushing motion is applied to the first articulation rod  5840  to cause the first articulation rod  5840  to axially move in the distal direction “DD” and a pulling motion is applied to the second articulation rod  5850  to cause the second articulation rod  5850  to axially move in the proximal direction “PD”. The movement of the first and second articulation rods  5840 ,  5850  in opposite directions results in the articulation of the surgical end effector operably interfacing therewith.  FIG. 65  illustrates the position of the articulation system  5800  upon application of the rotary motion to the driver articulation disc  5820  in an opposite direction represented by arrow  5862  that is sufficient enough to result in, for example, a seventy-five degree of articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft axis in an opposite articulation direction. As can be seen in that Figure, a pushing motion is applied to the second articulation rod  5850  to cause the second articulation rod  5850  to axially move in the distal direction “DD” and a pulling motion is applied to the first articulation rod  5840  to cause the first articulation rod  5840  to axially move in the proximal direction “PD”. Such opposing movements of the first and second articulation rods  5840 ,  5850  result in the articulation of the surgical end effector that is operably attached thereto. In one configuration, the first articulation rod  5840  may only apply a pulling force to the surgical end effector when the articulation driver disc  5820  has been rotated a sufficient distance as to attain a seventy-five degree range of articulation. 
       FIGS. 66-70  illustrate a surgical end effector  6300  that comprises first and second jaws that are simultaneously movable between open and closed positions relative to the shaft axis SA-SA. The first and second jaws may comprise a variety of surgical jaw arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Gaining access to target tissue with the jaws of a surgical end effector can, at times, be challenging. The maneuverability of a surgical end effector, particularly a surgical end effector that is configured to cut and staple tissue, may be enhanced if the distance between the point at which the jaws are supported relative to each other and the proximal-most staple locations is minimized. For example, those surgical end effectors that only employ one movable jaw (i.e., one of the jaws is fixed relative to the shaft axis) may require that the one movable jaw have a relatively large range of travel in order to accommodate the target tissue. Such larger range of travel can complicate the process of using the end effector to advantageously position the target tissue. The surgical end effector  6300  employs first and second jaws that move relative to each other and the shaft axis about a common pivot axis. Such arrangement enables the distance between the pivot axis and the proximal-most staple locations to be shortened when compared to the same distance on certain surgical end effectors that employ only one movable jaw, for example. 
     In the illustrated example, a first jaw  6310  includes an elongate channel  6312  that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge  6320  therein. As can be seen in  FIG. 70 , the surgical staple cartridge  6320  is configured to operably support a plurality of staple drivers  6322  therein that operably support surgical staples  6324  thereon. The staple drivers  6322  are movably supported within corresponding driver slots  6321  formed in the surgical staple cartridge  6320 . The staple drivers  6322  are retained within their respective driver slot  6321  by a cartridge pan  6330  that clips to or is otherwise attached to the surgical staple cartridge  6320 . The staple drivers  6322  are arranged in rows on each side of an elongate slot  6326  in the surgical staple cartridge  6320  to accommodate the axial passage of a firing member  6340  therethrough. A wedge sled  6350  is movably supported within the surgical staple cartridge  6320  and is configured to be drivingly engaged by the firing member  6340  as the firing member  6340  is driven from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the surgical staple cartridge  6320  and an ending position within a distal portion of the surgical staple cartridge  6320 . As was discussed above, as the wedge sled  6350  is driven in the distal direction through the surgical staple cartridge  6320 , the wedge sled  6350  drivingly contacts the staple drivers  6322  to drive them toward the cartridge deck surface  6323 . The firing member  6340  includes a tissue cutting surface  6346  that serves to cut the tissue clamped between the jaws as the firing member  6340  is driven distally. A distal firing beam (not shown) of the various types described herein is operably attached to the firing member  6340  as well as to an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  or other firing system arrangement. Operation of the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  to drive and retract the distal firing beam was discussed in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Other firing beam and firing system arrangements (motor-powered as well as manually-powered) may also be employed to power the firing member without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6300  is also configured for selective articulation about an articulation axis B-B that is substantially transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA. As can be seen in  FIGS. 66-70 , the surgical end effector  6300  includes an end effector mounting assembly  6390  that is adapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a distal shaft frame (not shown) that includes a pivot pin that is configured to be rotatably received within the mounting hole  6392  in the end effector mounting assembly  6390 . The surgical end effector  6300  may be articulated by an articulation lock and first and second articulation rod arrangements of the type described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 70 , the end effector mounting assembly  6390  further includes a pair of opposed, laterally extending trunnion pins  6394 . The trunnion pins  6394  extend laterally from the opposed lateral sides  6391  of the end effector mounting assembly  6390  that also define a pocket area  6395  that is configured to receive the firing member  6340  therein. The trunnion pins  6394  serve to define a pivot axis PA-PA about which the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360  may pivot. The proximal end  6314  of the first jaw  6310  or elongate channel  6312  includes a pair of opposed U-shaped or open ended slots  6316  that are adapted to receive a corresponding one of the trunnion pins  6394  therein. Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the first jaw  6310  to the end effector mounting assembly  6390 . 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6300  further comprises a second jaw  6360  that may comprise an anvil  6362 . The illustrated anvil  6362  includes an anvil body  6364  that includes an elongate slot  6366  and two staple forming surfaces  6368  formed on each side thereof. The anvil  6362  further has a proximal end portion  6370  that has a pair of U-shaped or open ended slots  6372  that are also adapted to receive a corresponding one of the trunnion pins  6394  therein. Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the second jaw  6360  to the end effector mounting assembly  6390  such that the first and second jaws may move relative to each other as well as to relative to the shaft axis SA-SA. The first and second jaws  6310  and  6360  may be movably actuated by a closure system of the various types disclosed herein. For example, a first closure drive system of the type described herein may be employed to actuate a closure tube in the above-described manner. The closure tube may also be attached to an end effector closure sleeve  6272  that may be pivotally attached to the closure tube by a double pivot closure sleeve assembly in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger  32 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 67-69 , the end effector closure sleeve  6272  extends over the end effector mounting assembly  6390  and is configured to engage the proximal end  6370  of the second jaw  6360  as well as the proximal end  6314  of the first jaw  6310 . At least one cam surface  6336  may be formed on the proximal end  6314  of the first jaw  6310  such that when the distal end  6274  of the end effector closure sleeve  6272  contacts the cam surface(s)  6336 , the first jaw  6310  is cammed toward the second jaw and the shaft axis SA-SA. Likewise, one or more cam surfaces  6376  may be formed on the proximal end portion  6370  of the second jaw  6360  such that when contacted by the distal end  6274  of the end effector closure sleeve  6272 , the second jaw  6360  is moved toward the first jaw  6310  and the shaft axis SA-SA. The cam surfaces  6336 ,  6376  may be configured and positioned relative to each other such that the first and second jaws close at different “closure rates” or closure times relative to each other. One such arrangement is depicted in  FIG. 68 . As can be seen in  FIG. 68 , the distance along an arcuate path between a point P 1  on the first jaw  6310  and a corresponding point P 2  on the second jaw  6360  when the first and second jaws are in their respective fully opened position is represented by D T . The first and second points P 1  and P 2  are said to “correspond to” each other. For example, the first point P 1  and the second point P 2  may each lie on a common line or axis that extends therebetween and is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA-SA. The distance along an arcuate path between another point P A  on the first jaw  6310  and the shaft axis SA-SA is represented by D 1  and the distance along another arcuate path between another corresponding point P B  on the second jaw and the shaft axis SA-SA is represented by D 2 . Point P A  and point P B  are also said to correspond to each other. For example, point P A  and point P B  may lie on a common line or axis that extends therebetween and which is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA-SA. In the illustrated arrangement, the distance D 2  that the second jaw  6360  or anvil  6362  moves from the fully open to the closed position wherein the staple-forming surface of the anvil  6362  lies along the shaft axis SA-SA is greater than the distance D 1  that the first jaw  6310  or surgical staple cartridge  6320  moves from the fully open position to the closed position wherein the cartridge deck surface lies along the shaft axis SA-SA. For example, in at least one arrangement, the second jaw or anvil will open or move ⅔ of the distance D T  (or another distance along another travel path between the jaws) and the first jaw or staple cartridge will open or move ⅓ of the distance D T  (or other distance along yet another travel path between the jaws), so that, in essence, one jaw attains its fully closed position quicker or faster than the other jaw attains its fully closed position even though a closure motion or motions were initially applied to both jaws at the same or similar times. For example, the cam surfaces on the first and second jaws may be arranged/configured to attain different jaw-movement ratios/rates without departing from the spirit and scope of this embodiment of the present invention. An opening spring  6380  ( FIG. 70 ) may be positioned between the proximal end  6314  of the first jaw  6310  and the proximal end  6370  of the second jaw  6360  to bias the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360  to the open position when the end effector closure sleeve  6272  is positioned in the starting or unactuated position. See  FIGS. 67-69 . 
     To move the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360  to a closed position ( FIG. 66 ), the clinician actuates the closure system to move the end effector closure sleeve  6272  in the distal direction “DD” to simultaneously contact the cam surface(s)  6336  on the proximal end  6314  of the first jaw  6310  and the cam surface(s)  6376  on the proximal end  6370  of the second jaw  6360  to bias the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360  towards each other (and shaft axis SA-SA) to the position shown in  FIG. 66 . While the end effector closure sleeve  6272  is retained in that position, the first and second jaws  6310  and  6360  are retained in that closed position. Thereafter, the firing system may be actuated to axially advance the firing member  6340  distally through the surgical end effector  6300 . As can be seen in  FIG. 70 , the firing member  6340  may have a foot portion  6342  that is configured to slidably engage a slotted passage  6374  of the anvil  6362  and a top tab portion  6344  that is adapted to be slidably received within a slotted passage  6318  in the elongate channel  6312 . See  FIG. 69 . Thus, such firing member arrangement serves to positively retain the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360  at a desired spacing arrangement during firing of the firing member (i.e., during firing of the staples and cutting of the tissue that is clamped between the first and second jaws  6310 ,  6360 ). A first jaw cover  6315  is removably attached to the elongate channel  6312  and a second jaw cover  6363  is removably attached to the anvil  6362  for assembly purposes as well as to prevent the infiltration of tissue and/or body fluid into the first and second jaws which may hamper or interfere with operation of the firing member  6340 . 
       FIG. 71  illustrates another surgical end effector  6300 ′ that is similar to surgical end effector  6300 . As can be seen in that Figure, the surgical end effector  6300 ′ comprises two jaws that are simultaneously movable between open and closed positions relative to the shaft axis SA-SA. In the illustrated example, a first jaw  6310 ′ includes an elongate channel  6312 ′ that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′ therein. The surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′ is configured to operably support a plurality of staple drivers  6322  therein that operably support surgical staples  6324  thereon. The staple drivers  6322  are movably supported within corresponding driver pockets  6321 ′ formed in the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′. The staple drivers  6322  are retained within their respective driver pocket  6321 ′ by a cartridge pan  6330 ′ that clips to or is otherwise attached to the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′. The staple drivers  6322  are arranged in rows on each side of an elongate slot  6326 ′ in the surgical staple cartridge  6320  to accommodate the axial passage of a firing member  6340 ′ therethrough. A wedge sled  6350 ′ is movably supported within the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′ and is configured to be driving engaged by the firing member  6340 ′ as the firing member  6340 ′ is driven from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′ and an ending position within a distal portion of the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′. As was discussed above, as the wedge sled  6350 ′ is driven in the distal direction through the surgical staple cartridge  6320 ′, the wedge sled  6350 ′ drivingly contacts the staple drivers  6322  to drive them toward the cartridge deck surface  6323 ′. The firing member  6340 ′ includes a tissue cutting surface  6346 ′ that serves to cut the tissue clamped between the jaws as the firing member  6340  is driven distally. A distal firing beam (not shown) of the various types described herein is operably attached to the firing member  6340 ′ as well as to an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  or other firing system arrangement. Operation of the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  to drive and retract the distal firing beam was discussed in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Other firing beam and firing system arrangements (motor-powered as well as manually-powered) may also be employed to power the firing member without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6300 ′ is also configured for selective articulation about an articulation axis B-B that is substantially transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA. The end effector  6300 ′ includes an end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′ that is adapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a distal shaft frame that includes a pivot pin configured to be rotatably received within a mounting hole  6392 ′ in the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′. The surgical end effector  6300 ′ may be articulated by an articulation lock and first and second articulation rod arrangements of the type described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 71 , the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′ further includes a pair of opposed, laterally extending trunnion pins  6394 ′. The trunnion pins  6394 ′ extend laterally from the opposed lateral sides  6391 ′ of the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′ that also define a pocket area  6395 ′ that is configured to receive the firing member  6340 ′ therein. The trunnion pins  6394 ′ serve to define a pivot axis PA-PA about which the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′ may pivot. The proximal end  6314 ′ of the first jaw  6310 ′ or elongate channel  6312 ′ includes a pair of opposed U-shaped or open ended slots  6316 ′ that are adapted to receive a corresponding one of the trunnion pins  6394 ′ therein. Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the first jaw  6310 ′ to the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′. 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6300 ′ further comprises a second jaw  6360 ′ that may comprise an anvil  6362 ′. The illustrated anvil  6362 ′ includes an anvil body  6364 ′ that includes an elongate slot  6366 ′ and two staple forming surfaces formed on each side thereof. The anvil  6362 ′ further has a proximal end portion  6370 ′ that has a pair of U-shaped or open ended slots  6372 ′ that are also adapted to receive a corresponding one of the trunnion pins  6394 ′ therein. Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the second jaw  6360 ′ to the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′. The first and second jaws  6310 ′ and  6360 ′ are movably actuated by a closure system of the various types disclosed herein. For example, a first closure drive system  30  may be employed to actuate a closure tube  260  in the manner described herein. The closure tube  260  may also be attached to an end effector closure sleeve  6272  that may be pivotally attached to the closure tube  260  by a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  271  in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube  260  may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger  32 . The end effector closure sleeve  6272  extends over the end effector mounting assembly  6390 ′ and is configured to engage the proximal end  6370 ′ of the second jaw  6360 ′ as well as the proximal end  6314 ′ of the first jaw  6310 ′. At least one cam surface  6336 ′ may be formed on the proximal end  6314 ′ of the first jaw  6310 ′ such that when the distal end  6274  of the end effector closure sleeve  6272  contacts the cam surfaces  6336 ′, the first jaw  6310 ′ is cammed toward the second jaw  6360 ′ and the shaft axis SA-SA. Likewise, one or more cam surfaces  6376 ′ may be formed on the proximal end portion  6370 ′ of the second jaw  6360 ′ such that when contacted by the distal end  6274  of the end effector closure sleeve  6272 , the second jaw  6360 ′ is moved toward the first jaw  6310 ′ and the shaft axis SA-SA. A spring (not shown) may b positioned between the proximal end  6314 ′ of the first jaw  6310 ′ and the proximal end  6370 ′ of the second jaw  6360 ′ to bias the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′ to the open position when the end effector closure sleeve  6272  is positioned in the starting or unactuated position. 
     To move the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′ to a closed position, the clinician actuates the closure system to move the end effector closure sleeve  6272  in the distal direction “DD” to simultaneously contact the cam surface(s)  6336 ′ on the proximal end  6314 ′ of the first jaw  6310 ′ and the cam surface(s)  6376 ′ on the proximal end  6370 ′ of the second jaw  6360 ′ to bias the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′ towards each other (and shaft axis SA-SA). While the end effector closure sleeve  6272  is retained in that position, the first and second jaws  6310 ′ and  6360 ′ are retained in that closed position. Thereafter, the firing system may be actuated to axially advance the firing member  6340 ′ distally through the surgical end effector  6300 ′. The firing member  6340 ′ may have a top tab portion  6344 ′ that is configured to slidably engage a slotted passage  6374 ′ of the anvil  6362 ′ and a foot portion  6342 ′ that is adapted to be slidably received within a slotted passage in the elongate channel  6312 ′. Thus, such firing member arrangement serves to positively retain the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′ at a desired spacing arrangement during firing of the firing member (i.e., during firing of the staples and cutting of the tissue that is clamped between the first and second jaws  6310 ′,  6360 ′). A first jaw cover  6315 ′ is removably attached to the elongate channel  6312 ′ and a second jaw cover  6363 ′ is removably attached to the anvil  6362 ′ for assembly purposes as well as to prevent the infiltration of tissue and/or body fluid into the first and second jaws which may hamper or interfere with operation of the firing member  6340 ′. 
     The surgical end effector embodiments described herein that employ jaws that both move relative to each other and relative to the shaft axis may offer various advantages over other surgical end effector arrangements wherein one of the jaws is fixed and does not move, for example relative to the shaft axis. In such configurations, it is often desirable for the one movable jaw to have a relatively large range of movement relative to the fixed jaw to enable the target tissue to be manipulated, positioned and then clamped therebetween. In the embodiments wherein both jaws are movable, each jaw doesn&#39;t require as large of range of motion to accommodate manipulation, positioning and clamping of the target tissue between the jaws. Such reduced movement of the anvil, for example, may provide for improved tissue positioning. Such arrangements may also enable the distance between the pivot axis and the first staple positions to be minimized. In addition, the firing member may always remain engaged with the movable jaws (anvil and elongate channel) even during opening and closing actions. 
       FIGS. 72-79  illustrate another surgical end effector  6400  that is configured to be operably attached to an elongate shaft assembly of the types described herein which define a shaft axis SA-SA. The surgical end effector  6400  comprises two jaws that are simultaneously movable between open and closed positions relative to the shaft axis SA-SA. The first and second jaws may comprise a variety of different surgical related jaw arrangements. In the illustrated example, a first jaw  6410  includes an elongate channel  6412  that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge  6420  therein. As in the various surgical staple cartridges discussed above, the surgical staple cartridge  6420  is configured to operably support a plurality of staple drivers (not shown) therein that operably support surgical staples (not shown) thereon. The staple drivers are movably supported within corresponding driver pockets formed in the surgical staple cartridge  6420 . The staple drivers are arranged in rows on each side of an elongate slot (not shown) in the surgical staple cartridge  6420  to accommodate the axial passage of a firing member  6440  therethrough. A wedge sled (not shown) is movably supported within the surgical staple cartridge  6420  and is configured to be driving engaged by the firing member  6440  as the firing member  6440  is driven from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the surgical staple cartridge  6420  and an ending position within a distal portion of the surgical staple cartridge  6420 . As was discussed above, as the wedge sled is driven in the distal direction through the surgical staple cartridge  6420 , the wedge sled drivingly contacts the staple drivers to drive them toward the cartridge deck surface (not shown). The firing member  6440  includes a tissue cutting surface  6446  that serves to cut the tissue clamped between the jaws as the firing member  6440  is driven distally. A distal firing beam (not shown) of the various types described herein is operably attached to the firing member  6440  as well as to an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  or other firing system arrangement. Operation of the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  to drive and retract the distal firing beam was discussed in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Other firing beam and firing system arrangements (motor-powered as well as manually-powered) may also be employed to power the firing member without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6400  is also configured for selective articulation about an articulation axis B-B that is substantially transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA. As can be seen in  FIGS. 72-79 , the surgical end effector  6400  includes an end effector mounting assembly  6490  that is adapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a distal shaft frame that includes a pivot pin that is configured to be rotatably received within the mounting hole  6492  in the end effector mounting assembly  6490 . The surgical end effector  6400  may be articulated by an articulation lock and first and second articulation rod arrangements of the type described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 74 , a pair of cam plates  6500  is non-movably attached by a spring pin  6502 , for example, to the end effector mounting assembly  6490 . As can be further seen in  FIG. 74 , each cam plate  6500  has a cam slot  6504  that has a closure wedge portion  6505  and an opening wedge portion  6507 . The closure wedge portion  6505  is formed from two opposed closure cam surfaces  6506  and the opening wedge portion  6507  is formed from two opposed opening cam surfaces  6508 . The elongate channel  6412  includes two proximally extending actuator arms  6416  that each has an opening trunnion pinion  6418  and a closing trunnion pin  6419  protruding laterally therefrom. The opening and closing trunnion pins  6418  and  6419  are received with the cam slot  6504  of a corresponding cam plate  6500 . Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the first jaw  6410  to the end effector mounting assembly  6490 . 
     The illustrated surgical end effector  6400  further comprises a second jaw  6460  that may comprise an anvil  6462 . The illustrated anvil  6462  includes an anvil body  6464  that includes an elongate slot  6466  and two staple forming surfaces  6468  formed on each side thereof. The anvil  6462  further has a proximal end portion  6470  that includes two proximally extending actuator arms  6472  protruding therefrom. Each actuator arm  6472  has an opening trunnion pinion  6474  and a closing trunnion pin  6476  protruding laterally therefrom that are also received in the cam slot  6504  of a corresponding cam plate  6500 . Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the second jaw  6460  to the end effector mounting assembly  6490 . 
     The first and second jaws  6410  and  6460  are movably actuated by a closure system of the various types disclosed herein. For example, a first closure drive system  30  may be employed to actuate a closure tube in the manner described herein. The closure tube  260  may also be attached to an end effector closure sleeve  6572  that may be pivotally attached to the closure tube by a double pivot closure sleeve assembly in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger. As can be seen in  FIGS. 77 and 78 , the end effector closure sleeve  6572  extends over the end effector mounting assembly  6490  as well as the actuator arms  6416  of the first jaw  6410  and the actuator arms  6472  of the second jaw  6460 . As the closure sleeve  6572  is advanced distally, the distal end  6574  of the closure sleeve  6572  contacts a proximal end  6411  of the first jaw  6410  and a proximal end  6461  of the second jaw  6460  and moves the first and second jaws  6410 ,  6460  in the distal direction “DD”. As the first and second jaws  6410 ,  6460  move distally, the closing trunnions  6419 ,  6476  enter the closure wedge portion  6505  of the cam slot  6504  and the closure cam surfaces  6506  cam the first and second jaws  6410 ,  6460  toward each other to a closed position ( FIGS. 73, 75, 77 and 78 ). 
     To facilitate opening of the first and second jaws  6410 ,  6460  with the closure sleeve  6572 , the closure sleeve  6572  is provided with two inwardly extending opening tabs  6576  that are configured to engage the closure trunnions  6419 ,  6476  when the closure sleeve  6572  is retracted in the proximal direction “PD” by the closure system. As can be seen in  FIGS. 72 and 76 , for example, as the closure sleeve  6572  moves in the proximal direction “PD”, the opening tabs  6576  contact the closure trunnions  6419 ,  6476  and drives the closure trunnions  6419 ,  6476  in the proximal direction as well. The proximal movement of the closure trunnions  6419 ,  6476  causes the opening trunnions  6418  and  6474  to enter the opening wedge portion  6507  of the cam plate slots  6504 . The opening cam surfaces  6508  interact with the opening trunnions  6418 ,  6474  and cause the actuator arms  6416  and  6472  to rock open on their respective rocker surfaces  6417  and  6475  as shown in  FIGS. 76 and 79 . As with the above-described arrangements wherein both the first and second jaws move relative to the shaft axis SA-SA, the closure wedge portion  6505  and the opening wedge portion  6507  may be configured so that the first and second jaws close at different closure rates or closure times relative to each other upon application of a closure motion thereto. 
       FIGS. 80-84  illustrate another surgical end effector  7400  that comprises two jaws wherein one jaw is movable relative to the other jaw between open and closed positions. In the illustrated example, the first jaw  7410  comprises an anvil  7412 . The illustrated anvil  7412  has an anvil body  7414  that has a proximal end portion  7416  that is non-movably attached to an end effector mounting assembly  7430 . For example, the proximal end portion  7416  comprises two upstanding lateral walls  7418  that each has a mounting hole  7419  therein. See  FIG. 82 . The end effector mounting assembly  7430  is received between the upstanding lateral walls  7418  and is non-movably attached thereto by a spring pin  7421  that extends therethrough into holes  7419 . The end effector mounting assembly  7430  is adapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a distal shaft frame that includes a pivot pin that is configured to be rotatably received within the mounting hole  7432  in the end effector mounting assembly  7430 . The surgical end effector  7400  may be articulated by an articulation lock and first and second articulation rod arrangements of the type described above or by any of the various articulation systems and articulation rod and/or rod/cable arrangements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As can also be seen in  FIGS. 80 and 82 , the anvil body  7414  also includes an elongate slot  7422  with two staple forming surfaces  7424  formed on each side thereof. 
     The surgical end effector  7400  further includes a second jaw  7440  that comprises an elongate channel  7442  that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge  7450  therein. As in certain surgical staple cartridges discussed above, the surgical staple cartridge  7450  is configured to operably support a plurality of staple drivers (not shown) therein that operably support surgical staples (not shown) thereon. The staple drivers are movably supported within corresponding driver pockets  7452  formed in the surgical staple cartridge  7450 . The staple drivers are arranged in rows on each side of an elongate slot  7454  in the surgical staple cartridge  7450  to accommodate the axial passage of a firing member  7460  therethrough. A cartridge pan  7451  is attached to the staple cartridge  7450  to prevent the staple drivers from falling out of their respective driver pockets  7452  when the surgical end effector  7400  is manipulated into various orientations. A wedge sled  7462  is movably supported within the surgical staple cartridge  7450  and is configured to be driving engaged by the firing member  7460  as the firing member  7460  is driven from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the surgical staple cartridge  7450  and an ending position within a distal portion of the surgical staple cartridge  7450 . As was discussed above, as the wedge sled  7462  is driven in the distal direction through the surgical staple cartridge  7450 , the wedge sled  7462  drivingly contacts the staple drivers to drive them toward the cartridge deck surface (not shown). The firing member  7460  includes a tissue cutting surface  7464  that serves to cut the tissue clamped between the jaws  7410 ,  7440  as the firing member  7460  is driven distally. A distal firing beam  280  or of the other various types described herein is operably attached to the firing member  7460  as well as to an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  or other firing system arrangement. Operation of the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  to drive and retract the distal firing beam  280  was discussed in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Other firing beam and firing system arrangements (motor-powered as well as manually-powered) may also be employed to power the firing member without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A first jaw cover  7415  is removably attached to the anvil  7412  a second jaw cover  7441  is removably attached to the second jaw  7440  for assembly purposes as well as to prevent the infiltration of tissue and/or body fluid into the first and second jaws which may hamper or interfere with operation of the firing member  6340 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 82 , the elongate channel  7442  includes a proximal end portion  7444  that has two lateral side portions  7445 . Each lateral side portion  7445  has a corresponding U-shaped or open ended slot  7446  therein that is adapted to receive a corresponding pivot pin  7426  that laterally protrudes from the proximal end portion  7416  of the anvil body  7414 . Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the second jaw  7440  or elongate channel  7442  to the first jaw  7410  or anvil  7412 . As can be most particularly seen in  FIGS. 80, 82 and 84 , closure ramp segments  7447  are formed on the proximal end  7444  of the elongate channel  7442 . In addition, each lateral side  7445  of the proximal end portion  7444  has a lateral recess area  7448  formed therein. Each lateral recessed area  7448  is located proximal to a corresponding closure ramp segment  7447 . An opening ramp or cam  7449  is formed adjacent the proximal end of each lateral recessed area  7448 . Each opening ramp or cam  7449  terminates in a top surface  7580 . See  FIGS. 82 and 84 . 
     The second jaw  7440  or elongate channel  7442  may be movably actuated relative to the first jaw  7410  or anvil  7412  by a closure system of the various types disclosed herein. For example, a closure drive system of the types described herein may be employed to actuate a closure tube of the types described herein as was discussed in detail above. The closure tube may also be attached to an end effector closure sleeve  7572  that may be pivotally attached to the closure tube by a double pivot arrangement in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger. In other arrangements, the closure tube may be axially moved by means of a robotic control system, etc. As can be seen in  FIGS. 80, 81, 83 and 84 , the end effector closure sleeve  7572  extends over the end effector mounting assembly  7430  as well as the proximal end portion  7444  of the elongate channel  7442  of the second jaw  7440 . The end effector closure sleeve  7572  includes two diametrically opposed opening members  7574  that are configured to operably engage the proximal end portion  7444  of the second jaw  7440  or elongate channel  7442 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening members  7574  comprise inwardly extending opening tabs  7576  that are formed in portions of the end effector closure sleeve  7572 . 
     The second jaw  7440  is moved to a closed position ( FIGS. 81 and 83 ) by advancing the end effector closure sleeve  7572  in the distal direction “DD”. As the end effector closure sleeve  7572  moves distally, the distal end  7575  thereof contacts the closure ramp segments  7447  that are formed on the proximal end  7444  of the elongate channel  7442  and serves to cam the elongate channel  7442  towards the anvil  7412 . Once the end effector closure sleeve  7552  has been moved to its distal-most position, the distal end  7575  contacts an abutment surface  7443  on the elongate channel  7442  to maintain the closure load or closing force on the elongate channel  7442 . See  FIGS. 81 and 83 . When the end effector closure sleeve  7572  is in the fully-closed position, the ends of the opening tabs  7576  are received in the corresponding lateral recess areas  7448 . To move the second jaw  7440  or elongate channel  7442  to an open position, the closure system is actuated to move the closure sleeve  7572  in the proximal direction “PD”. As the end effector closure sleeve  7572  moves proximally, the opening tabs  7572  ride up the corresponding opening ramp or cam  7449  on the proximal end portion  7444  of the elongate channel  7442  to cam or pivot the elongate channel  7442  away from the anvil  7412 . Each tab rides up the cam  7449  onto the top surface top surface  7580  and serves to positively retain the elongate channel  7442  in that fully open position. See  FIG. 84 . 
       FIGS. 85-87  illustrate another surgical end effector  8400  that comprises two jaws  8410 ,  8440  that are simultaneously movable between open and closed positions relative to the shaft axis SA-SA. In the illustrated example, the first jaw  8410  comprises an anvil  8412 . The illustrated anvil  8412  has an anvil body  8414  that has a proximal end portion  8416  that movably interfaces with an end effector adapter  8600 . As can be seen in  FIG. 85 , the end effector adapter  8600  includes two distally extending distal walls  8602  that each has a lateral pivot pin  8604  protruding laterally therefrom. Each lateral pivot pin  8604  is received in a corresponding open ended U-shaped slot  8418  formed in the lateral side walls  8417  of the proximal end portion  8416  of the anvil  8412 . See  FIG. 85 . Such arrangement permits the elongate channel  8412  to move or pivot relative to the end effector adapter  8600 . As can be further seen in  FIG. 85 , the end effector adapter  8600  is non-movably attached to and end effector mounting assembly  8430 . For example, the end effector adapter  8600  further includes two upstanding lateral walls  8606  that each has a mounting hole  8608  therein. The end effector mounting assembly  8430  is received between the upstanding lateral walls  8606  and is non-movably attached thereto by a spring pin  8421  that extends therethrough into holes  8608 . The effector mounting assembly  8430  is adapted to be pivotally mounted to, for example, a distal shaft frame that includes a pivot pin that is configured to be rotatably received within the mounting hole  8432  in the end effector mounting assembly  8430 . The surgical end effector  8400  may be articulated by an articulation lock and first and second articulation rod arrangements of the type described above or by any of the various articulation systems and articulation rod and/or rod/cable arrangements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As can also be seen in  FIG. 85 , the anvil body  8414  also includes an elongate slot  8422  with two staple forming surfaces  8424  formed on each side thereof. 
     The surgical end effector  8400  further includes a second jaw  8440  that comprises an elongate channel  8442  that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge  8450  therein. As in the various surgical staple cartridges discussed above, the surgical staple cartridge  8450  is configured to operably support a plurality of staple drivers (not shown) therein that operably support surgical staples (not shown) thereon. The staple drivers are movably supported within corresponding driver pockets  8452  formed in the surgical staple cartridge  8450 . The staple drivers are arranged in rows on each side of an elongate slot  8454  in the surgical staple cartridge  8450  to accommodate the axial passage of a firing member  8460  therethrough. A cartridge pan  8451  is attached to the staple cartridge  8450  to prevent the staple drivers from falling out of their respective driver pockets  8452  when the surgical end effector  8400  is manipulated into various orientations. A wedge sled  8462  is movably supported within the surgical staple cartridge  8450  and is configured to be drivingly engaged by the firing member  8460  as the firing member  8460  is driven from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the surgical staple cartridge  8450  and an ending position within a distal portion of the surgical staple cartridge  8450 . As was discussed above, as the wedge sled  8462  is driven in the distal direction through the surgical staple cartridge  8450 , the wedge sled  8462  drivingly contacts the staple drivers to drive them toward the cartridge deck surface (not shown). The firing member  8460  includes a tissue cutting surface  8464  that serves to cut the tissue clamped between the jaws  8410 ,  8440  as the firing member  8460  is driven distally. A distal firing beam  280  or of the other various types described herein is operably attached to the firing member  8460  as well as to an intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  or other firing system arrangement. Operation of the intermediate firing shaft portion  2222  to drive and retract the distal firing beam  280  was discussed in detail above and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Other firing beam and firing system arrangements (motor-powered as well as manually-powered) may also be employed to power the firing member without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A first jaw cover  8415  is removably attached to the anvil  8412  and a second jaw cover  8441  is removably attached to the second jaw  8440  for assembly purposes as well as to prevent the infiltration of tissue and/or body fluid into the first and second jaws which may hamper or interfere with operation of the firing member  8460 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 85 , the elongate channel  8442  includes a proximal end portion  8444  that has two lateral side portions  8445 . Each lateral side portion  8445  has a corresponding U-shaped or open ended slot  8446  therein that is adapted to receive a corresponding t lateral pivot pin  8604  that protrudes laterally from the end effector adapter  8600 . Such arrangement serves to movably or pivotally journal the second jaw  8440  or elongate channel  8442  to the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412 . As can also be seen in  FIG. 85 , closure ramp segments  8447  are formed on the proximal end  8444  of the elongate channel  8442 . In addition, each lateral side  8445  of the proximal end portion  8444  has a second lateral recessed area  8448  formed therein. Each second lateral recessed area  8448  is located proximal to a corresponding second closure ramp segment  8447 . A second opening ramp or cam  8449  is formed adjacent the proximal end of each second lateral recessed area  8448 . Each second opening ramp or cam  8449  terminates in a second top surface  8450 . Similarly, a first recessed area  8420  is formed on the bottom of each of the side walls  8417  of the proximal end portion  8416  of the anvil  8412 . A first opening ramp or cam  8426  is formed adjacent the proximal end of each first lateral recessed area  8420 . Each first opening ramp or cam  8426  terminates in a first top surface  8428 . 
     The second jaw  8440  or elongate channel  8442  and the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412  may be simultaneously moved between open and closed positions by a closure system of the various types disclosed herein. For example, a closure drive system  30  may be employed to actuate a closure tube  260  in the manner described herein. The closure tube  260  may also be attached to an end effector closure sleeve  8572  that may be pivotally attached to the closure tube  260  by a double pivot arrangement in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube  260  may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger  32 . In other arrangements, the closure tube may be axially moved by means of a robotic control system, etc. As can be seen in  FIGS. 86 and 87 , the end effector closure sleeve  8572  extends over the end effector mounting assembly  8430 , the end effector adapter  8600  as well as the proximal end portion  8444  of the elongate channel  8442  of the second jaw  8440  and the proximal end portion  8416  of the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412 . The end effector closure sleeve  8572  includes two diametrically opposed, first opening members  8574  that are configured to operably engage the proximal end portion  8416  of the first jaw  8410 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening members  8574  comprise inwardly extending first opening tabs  8576  that are formed in portions of the end effector closure sleeve  8572 . Likewise, the end effector closure sleeve  8572  further includes two diametrically opposed, second opening members  8580  that are configured to operably engage the proximal end portion  8444  of the second jaw  8440 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second opening members  8580  comprise inwardly extending second opening tabs  8582  that are formed in portions of the end effector closure sleeve  8572 . 
     The first and second jaws,  8410 ,  8440  are simultaneously moved to a closed position ( FIG. 86 ) by advancing the end effector closure sleeve  8572  in the distal direction “DD”. As the end effector closure sleeve  8572  moves distally, the distal end  8575  thereof contacts the bottom of the proximal end portion  8416  of the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412  as well as the closure ramp segments  8447  that are formed on the proximal end  8444  of the elongate channel  8442  and serves to cam the first and second jaws  8410 ,  8440  towards each other. Once the end effector closure sleeve  8572  has been moved to its distal-most position, the distal end  8575  of the end effector closure sleeve  8572  contacts first abutment surfaces  8419  on the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412  as well as a second abutment surface  8443  on the second jaw  8440  or elongate channel  8442  to maintain the closure load or closing force on both of the jaws  8410 ,  8440 . See  FIG. 86 . When the end effector closure sleeve  8572  is in the fully-closed position, the ends of the first opening tabs  8576  are received in the corresponding first lateral recesses areas  8420  and the ends of the second opening tabs  8582  are received in the corresponding second lateral recess areas  8448 . To move the first and second jaws  8410 ,  8440  away from each other to open positions, the closure system is actuated to move the closure sleeve  8572  in the proximal direction “PD”. As the end effector closure sleeve  8572  moves proximally, the first opening tabs  8576  ride up the corresponding first opening ramp or cam  8426  on the bottom of the proximal end portion  8416  of the first jaw  8410  to cam or pivot the first jaw  8410  or anvil  8412  in a direction away from the second jaw  8440  or elongate channel  8442  and the second opening tabs  8582  ride up the corresponding second ramps  8449  on the proximal end portion  8444  of the elongate channel  8442  to cam or pivot the elongate channel  8442  in a direction away from the first jaw or anvil  8412 . Each of the first tabs  8576  rides up the corresponding cam or ramp  8426  onto the corresponding first locking surface  8428  and each of the second tabs  8582  rides up the corresponding second cam or ramp  8449  onto the corresponding second locking surface  8450  to thereby retain the first and second jaws  8410 ,  8400  in the open position. The reader will appreciate that the axial position of the first tabs  8576  relative to the second tabs  8582  may be positioned so as to simultaneously move the first and second jaws away from each other or they may be axially offset so that one of the jaws moves before the other jaw moves. 
       FIGS. 88-93  illustrate portions of another surgical instrument  9010  that includes a surgical end effector  9300  that operably interfaces with an elongate shaft assembly  9200 . The surgical end effector  9300  is similar to surgical end effector  300  that was discussed in detail above and includes a first jaw in the form of an elongate channel  9302  that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  304  therein. The illustrated surgical end effector  9300  further includes a second jaw in the form of an anvil  310  that is supported on the elongate channel  9302  for movement relative thereto. The anvil  310  may be movably actuated by the closure system described above and shown in  FIGS. 88 and 91 . For example, a first closure drive system may be employed to actuate a closure tube  260  in the manner described herein. The closure tube  260  is attached to an end effector closure sleeve  272  that is pivotally attached to the closure tube  260  by a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  271  in the manner described above. As was described above, for example, axial movement of the closure tube  260  may be controlled through actuation of a closure trigger. As was also described above, the closure sleeve  272  incudes opening cams that serve to movably actuate the anvil  310  to an open position. In use, the closure tube  260  is translated distally (direction “DD”) to close the anvil  310 , for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger. The anvil  310  is closed by distally translating the closure tube  260  in the distal direction “DD” and as well as the end effector closure sleeve  272  that is pivotally coupled thereto. As the end effector closure sleeve  272  is driven distally, the cam tabs  358  of the opening cams  354  move distally within the cam slots  318  in the anvil  310  to operably interface or ride on the cam surfaces  319  to cam the body portion  312  of the anvil  310  away from the surgical staple cartridge  304  into an open position. The anvil  310  is closed by distally translating the closure tube  260  in the distal direction “DD” until the distal end  275  of the end effector closure sleeve  272  rides up the anvil attachment arms  316  to contact the which causes the cam tabs  358  to move in the proximal direction “PD” within the cam slots  318  on the cam surfaces  319  to pivot the anvil  310  into the open position. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 91  for example, the elongate shaft assembly  9200  includes a two piece shaft frame or spine assembly  9812  upon which the closure tube assembly  260  is received. The spine assembly  9812  includes a proximal spine portion  9814  and a distal spine portion  9816 . The proximal spine portion  9816  may be rotatably journaled in the handle or housing (not shown) in the various manners described herein to facilitate rotation of the surgical end effector  9300  about the shaft axis SA. Although not shown, the surgical instrument  9010  may also include a firing beam arrangement and any of the various firing drive system arrangements disclosed herein for driving a firing member through the surgical staple cartridge in the various manners discussed above. As can be seen in  FIG. 91 , the distal spine portion  9816  includes a distal end portion  9818  that has an upwardly protruding pivot pin  9819  thereon that is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole  9328  formed in the proximal end portion  9320  of the elongate channel  9302 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal travel of the elongate channel  9302  of the surgical end effector  9300  relative to the spine assembly  9812  about an articulation axis B-B that is defined by the pivot hole  9328 . As indicated above, the articulation axis B-B is transverse to the shaft axis SA-SA that is defined by elongate shaft assembly  9200 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 91 , the elongate shaft assembly  9200  further includes an articulation system, generally designated as  9900  that includes a first articulation bar  9910  and a second articulation bar  9920 . The first articulation bar  9910  operably interfaces with a first articulation motor  9912  that is operably supported in the surgical instrument handle or housing or portion of a robotically controlled system. As can be seen in  FIGS. 92 and 93 , the first articulation bar  9910  is attached to a first articulation nut  9914  that is threadably received on a first threaded drive shaft  9916  of the first articulation motor  9912 . Rotation of the first threaded drive shaft  9916  in a first rotary direction will result in the distal advancement of the first articulation bar  9910  in the distal direction “DD” and rotation of the first threaded drive shaft  9916  in a second or opposite rotary direction will result in the proximal advancement of the first articulation drive bar  9910  in the proximal direction “PD”. 
     The illustrated articulation system  9900  further includes a second articulation bar  9920  that operably interfaces with a second articulation motor  9922  that is operably supported in the surgical instrument handle or housing or portion of a robotically controlled system. As can be seen in  FIGS. 92 and 93 , the second articulation bar  9920  is attached to a second articulation nut  9924  that is threadably received on a second threaded drive shaft  9926  of the second articulation motor  9922 . Rotation of the second threaded drive shaft  9926  in a first rotary direction will result in the proximal advancement of the second articulation bar  9920  in the proximal direction “PD” and rotation of the second threaded drive shaft  9926  in a second or opposite rotary direction will result in the distal advancement of the second articulation drive bar  9920  in the distal direction “DD”. 
     The articulation system  9900  further includes a cross-linkage assembly  9940  that is operably attached to the first and second articulation bars  9910 ,  9920 . As can be seen in  FIG. 91 , the cross-linkage assembly  9940  includes a middle support member  9950  that is pivotally pinned to the proximal end  9320  of the elongate channel  9302  with a first pin  9952 . The middle support member  9950  further includes a proximal connector tab  9954  that includes a slot  9956  for receiving a second pin  9958  therein for pivotally attaching the proximal connector tab  9954  to the distal end portion  9818  of the distal spine portion  9816 . The pin and slot arrangement facilitate pivotal and axial travel of the middle support member  9950  relative to the spine assembly  9812 . The middle support member  9950  further includes a slot  9960  for receiving a firing beam therethrough. The middle support member  9950  serves to provide lateral support to the firing beam as it flexes to accommodate articulation of the surgical end effector  9300 . 
     As can be most particularly seen in  FIGS. 92 and 93 , the middle support member  9950  has a proximal linkage tab portion  9970  that facilitates attachment of the first and second articulation bars  9910 ,  9920  thereto. In particular, a distal end  9911  of the first articulation bar  9910  is pivotally attached to a first articulation link  9972  that is pivotally pinned to the proximal linkage tab portion  9970 . Likewise, a distal end  9921  of the second articulation bar  9920  is pivotally pinned to a second articulation link  9974  that is pivotally pinned to the proximal linkage tab portion  9970  of the middle support member  9950 .  FIG. 92  illustrates articulation of the surgical end effector  9300  in the direction represented by arrow  9980 . As can be seen in that Figure, the first threaded drive shaft  9916  of the first articulation motor is rotated in a first rotary direction to drive the first articulation bar  9910  in the distal direction. In addition, the second threaded drive shaft  9926  of the second articulation motor  9922  is rotated in a second rotary direction to draw the second articulation bar  9920  in the proximal direction. The first and second articulation motors  9912 ,  9922  are operated by a computer controlled system and, as can be seen in  FIG. 92 , the distance that first articulation bar  9910  moves in the distal direction is not equal to the distance in which the second articulation bar  9920  moves in the proximal direction. 
       FIG. 93  illustrates articulation of the surgical end effector  9300  in the direction represented by arrow  9982 . As can be seen in that Figure, the second threaded drive shaft  9926  of the second articulation motor  9922  is rotated in a first rotary direction to drive the second articulation bar  9920  in the distal direction. In addition, the first threaded drive shaft  9916  of the first articulation motor  9912  is rotated in a second rotary direction to draw the first articulation bar  9910  in the proximal direction. The first and second articulation motors  9912 ,  9922  are operated by a computer controlled system and, as can be seen in  FIG. 92 , the distance that second articulation bar  9920  moves in the distal direction is not equal to the distance in which the first articulation bar  9910  moves in the proximal direction. In alternative arrangements, only one articulation motor may be employed to articulate the end effector. In such arrangements, for example, the second link may be proximally coupled to the first link by means of a rack and pinion arrangement similar to those rack and pinion arrangements disclosed in detail herein. 
       FIGS. 94 and 95  illustrate surgical staple cartridges  9304  and  9304 ′ that each include a light member  9305  for illuminating the distal end of the surgical end effector in which it is supported. Each of the staple cartridges  9304 ,  9304 ′ may have conductors (not shown) that are arranged on the bottom of the cartridge or on the cartridge sides that are configured to electrically contact corresponding conductors in the elongate channel that communicate with a source of electrical energy located in the instrument handle or housing. Thus, when the cartridge  9304 ,  9304 ′ are properly seated in the elongate channel of the surgical end effector, the light  9305  therein may receive power from the source of electrical power in the handle or housing through the corresponding conductors. 
     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. The motor or motor(s) may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. 
     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 surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by one or more electric motors; 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. 
     Examples 
     Example 1—A surgical instrument, comprising a surgical end effector. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure member that is axially movable in response to applications of closing and opening motions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam that protrudes therefrom to movably engage a corresponding slotted cam surface on the second jaw such that, upon application of the opening motion to the closure member, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding slotted cam surface to move the second jaw to the open position and upon application of the closure motion to the closure member, the closure member engages the second jaw to move the second jaw to one of the closed positions. 
     Example 2—The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the at least one opening cam comprises a first opening cam that extends laterally inwardly from the closure member and engages a first one of the corresponding slotted cam surfaces. A second opening cam extends laterally inwardly from the closure member and engages a second one of the corresponding slotted cam surfaces. 
     Example 3—The surgical instrument of Example 2, wherein the second opening cam is diametrically opposite from the first opening cam on the closure member. 
     Example 4—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein the at least one opening cam is removably attached to the closure member. 
     Example 5—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the at least one opening cam is configured for snap engagement with the closure member. 
     Example 6—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein the at least one opening cam is integrally formed in the closure member. 
     Example 7—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 6, wherein the at least one opening cam is crimped into a wall of the closure member such that a crimped portion of the wall movably extends through a corresponding portion of the first jaw to movably engage the corresponding slotted cam surface on the second jaw. 
     Example 8—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the at least one opening cam extends inwardly through a portion of the first jaw to engage the corresponding slotted cam surface. 
     Example 9—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the second jaw comprises a pair of laterally extending trunnions configured to be pivotally received in corresponding trunnion holes in the first jaw to facilitate pivotal travel of the second jaw relative to the first jaw. 
     Example 10—The surgical instrument of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first jaw is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil. 
     Example 11—A surgical instrument, comprising a surgical end effector. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is pivotally supported on the first jaw for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions. The second jaw comprises first and second cam surfaces. The surgical instrument further comprises an end effector closure sleeve that comprises a first opening cam that extends laterally inwardly from the end effector closure sleeve through a portion of the first jaw to operably engage the first cam surface. A second opening cam extends laterally inwardly from the end effector closure sleeve through another portion of the first jaw to operably engage the second cam surface such that upon application of an opening motion to the end effector closure sleeve, the first opening cam movably engages the first cam surface and the second opening cam movably engages the second cam surface to move the second jaw to the open position and upon application of a closing motion to the end effector closure sleeve, the end effector closure sleeve movably engages the second jaw to move the second jaw to one of the closed positions. 
     Example 12—The surgical instrument of Example 11, wherein the first and second opening cams are removably attached to the end effector closure sleeve. 
     Example 13—The surgical instrument of Example 11, wherein the first and second opening cams comprise permanent deformations in the end effector closure sleeve. 
     Example 14—The surgical instrument of Examples 11 or 13, wherein the first and second opening cams are formed by crimping the end effector closure sleeve. 
     Example 15—The surgical instrument of Example 14, wherein the first and second opening cams are crimped at 90 degree angles relative to adjacent portions of an outer surface of the end effector closure sleeve. 
     Example 16—The surgical instrument of Examples 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the first opening cam movably protrudes through a first slot in the first jaw to operably interface with the first cam surface in the second jaw and wherein the second opening cam movably protrudes through a second slot in the first jaw to operably interface with the second cam surface in the second jaw. 
     Example 17—The surgical instrument of Examples 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the second jaw comprises a pair of laterally extending trunnions configured to be pivotally received in corresponding trunnion holes in the first jaw to facilitate pivotal travel of the second jaw relative to the first jaw. 
     Example 18—The surgical instrument of Examples 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the first jaw is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil. 
     Example 19—A surgical instrument, comprising a housing and a closure system that is operably supported by the housing and is configured to generate closing and opening motions. An elongate shaft assembly operably interfaces with the housing. The elongate shaft assembly comprises an end effector closure sleeve that is axially movable in response to applications of the closing and opening motions thereto. The surgical instrument further comprises a surgical end effector that comprises an elongate channel that operably interfaces with the elongate shaft assembly and is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument also comprises at least two opening cams that protrude from the end effector closure sleeve such that upon application of the opening motion to the end effector closure sleeve, the at least two opening cams operably interface with corresponding cam surfaces on the anvil in a first direction to move the anvil to the open position and upon application of the closing motion to the end effector closure sleeve, the end effector closure sleeve operably interfaces with the anvil in a second direction to cause the anvil to move to one of the closed positions. 
     Example 20—The surgical instrument of Example 19, wherein at least one opening cam is formed in the end effector closure sleeve. 
     Example 21—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. An end effector mounting assembly is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. First and second jaws are movably coupled to the end effector mounting assembly such that the first and second jaws are each movable relative to each other and the shaft axis about a common pivot axis between an open position and closed positions. The first jaw comprises a first point and the second jaw comprises a second point wherein the first and second points lie along a common axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis. The first point is a first distance from the shaft axis when the first jaw is in the open position and wherein the second point is a second distance from the shaft axis when the second jaw is in the open position and wherein the second distance is different from the first distance. The surgical instrument further comprises means for biasing the first and second jaws away from each other to the open position and means for applying closure motions to the first and second jaws to move the first and second jaws toward each other to the closed positions. 
     Example 22—The surgical instrument of Example 21, wherein the one of the first and second jaws comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the other one of the first and second jaws comprises an anvil. 
     Example 23—The surgical instrument of Example 21, wherein the first jaw comprises a surgical staple cartridge and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. 
     Example 24—The surgical instrument of Examples 21, 22 or 23, further comprising a firing member that is supported for axial travel between the first and second jaws when the first and second jaws are in one of the closed positions. 
     Example 25—The surgical instrument of Examples 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein the end effector mounting assembly comprises a pair of lateral sides. Each lateral side comprises a laterally protruding trunnion pin that defines the pivot axis. Each of the first and second jaws are pivotally supported on each of the laterally protruding trunnion pins. 
     Example 26—The surgical instrument of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25, wherein the means for biasing comprises a spring located between the first and second jaws. 
     Example 27—The surgical instrument of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein the means for applying closure motions comprises an axially movable end effector closure sleeve that is configured to simultaneously engage portions of the first and second jaws when the end effector closure sleeve is axially moved in a first direction. 
     Example 28—The surgical instrument of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, further comprising an axially movable firing member that is supported for axial travel between the first and second jaws when the first and second jaws are in one of the closed positions. 
     Example 29—The surgical instrument of Example 28, wherein the firing member comprises a tissue cutting surface. 
     Example 30—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. An end effector mounting assembly is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. First and second jaws are movably coupled to the end effector mounting assembly such that the first and second jaws are each movable relative to each other and the shaft axis between an open position and closed positions such that upon application of a closing motion to the first and second jaws causes one of the first and second jaws to move to one of the closed positions at a closure rate that differs from another closure rate at which the other of the first and second jaws moves to the closed position. The surgical instrument further comprises means for selectively applying the closing motion to the first and second jaws and an opening motion to the first and second jaws to selectively move the first and second jaws from the closed positions to the open position. 
     Example 31—The surgical instrument of Example 30, further comprising an axially movable firing member that is supported for axial travel between the first and second jaws when the first and second jaws are in one of the closed positions. 
     Example 32—The surgical instrument of Examples 30 or 31, further comprising a first cam slot on the end effector mounting assembly. The first cam slot defines a first closure wedge portion and a first opening wedge portion. A second cam slot is also provided on the end effector mounting assembly. The second cam slot defines a second closure wedge portion and a second opening wedge portion. The first jaw comprises a pair of first opening members and a pair of first closing members wherein one of the first opening members and one of the first closing members are movably received within the first cam slot. Another one of the first opening members and another one of the first closing members are received within the second cam slot. The second jaw comprises a pair of second opening members and a pair of second closing members wherein one of the second opening members and one of the second closing members are movably received in the first cam slot. Another one of the second opening members and another one of the second closing members are movably received within the second cam slot. The means for selectively applying is configured to move the first and second jaws in a first direction so as to cause the one of the first closing members and the one of the second closing members to movably enter the first closure wedge portion and the another one of the first closing members and the another one of the second closing members to movably enter the second closure wedge portion to thereby cause the first and second jaws to move toward each other to one of the closed positions. The means for selectively applying is further configured to move the first and second jaws in a second direction so as to cause the one of the first opening members and the one of the second opening members to move into the first opening wedge portion and the another one of the first opening members and the another one of the second opening members to move into the second opening wedge portion to thereby cause the first and second jaws to move away from each other to the open position. 
     Example 33—The surgical instrument of Example 32, wherein the first cam slot is formed in a first cam plate that is coupled to the end effector mounting assembly. The second cam slot is formed in a second cam plate that is coupled to the end effector mounting assembly. 
     Example 34—The surgical instrument of Examples 32 or 33, wherein the means for selectively applying comprises an end effector closure sleeve that is axially movable in response to applications of the closing and opening motions thereto. The end effector closure sleeve comprises a first opening tab that corresponds to the one of the first opening members and the one of the second opening members for operable contact therewith when the end effector closure sleeve is moved in the second direction. A second opening tab corresponds to the another one of the first opening members and the another one of the second opening members for operable contact therewith when the end effector closure sleeve is moved in the second direction. 
     Example 35—The surgical instrument of Examples 30, 31, 32, 33 or 34, wherein one of the first and second jaws comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the other one of the first and second jaws comprises an anvil. 
     Example 36—The surgical instrument of Examples 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35, further comprising a firing member that is supported for axial travel between the first and second jaws when the first and second jaws are in one of the closed positions. 
     Example 37—A surgical instrument, comprising a first jaw and a second jaw that are pivotally supported relative to each other for selective pivotal travel between an open position and closed positions. A closure member is axially movable in response to applications of closing and opening motions thereto. The closure member comprises at least two inwardly extending opening tabs that are configured to operably engage corresponding portions of at least one of the first and second jaws upon application of the opening motions to the closure member to move at least one of the first and second jaws to the open position. 
     Example 38—The surgical instrument of Example 37, wherein the at least one of the at least two inwardly extending opening tabs is integrally formed in the closure member. 
     Example 39—The surgical instrument of Example 37, wherein each of the at least two inwardly extending opening tabs are removably affixed to the closure member. 
     Example 40—The surgical instrument of Examples 37, 38 or 39, wherein one of the first and second jaws comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the other one of the first and second jaws comprises an anvil. 
     Example 41—A surgical stapling instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical end effector comprises a cartridge support member that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. A longitudinally movable firing beam extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a firing beam locking assembly that comprises a biasing member that is operably supported on the articulation joint and is configured to apply a biasing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam to bias the longitudinally movable firing beam into a locked position wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member. 
     Example 42—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 41, wherein the biasing member is supported on a middle support member that interfaces with the cartridge support member and the elongate shaft assembly. The middle support member is configured to laterally support the longitudinally movable firing beam during articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis. 
     Example 43—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 41 or 42, wherein the biasing member is configured to avoid applying the biasing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam when the surgical end effector is being articulated. 
     Example 44—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 41, 42, or 43, wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam comprises a locking cam formed on a portion thereof for engagement with the biasing member. 
     Example 45—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 44, wherein the biasing member comprises a planar body comprising a window that located therein such that the locking cam protrudes into the window during articulation of the surgical end effector. 
     Example 46—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45, wherein the biasing member biases the longitudinally movable firing beam into a locked position upon initial application of a firing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam unless the unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported within the cartridge support member. 
     Example 47—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, or 46, wherein the unfired surgical staple cartridge comprises a plurality of surgical staples operably supported within a cartridge body and a wedge sled that is axially movable through the cartridge body to eject the surgical staples therefrom when the wedge sled is moved from an unfired position to a fired position therein. The wedge sled is configured for operable engagement with the longitudinally movable firing beam when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position and the wedge sled is in the unfired position. 
     Example 48—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, or 46, wherein the biasing member biases the firing beam into a locked position upon initial application of a firing motion to the firing beam unless a wedge sled in a surgical staple cartridge that is supported within the cartridge support member is in an unfired position within the surgical staple cartridge and in operable engagement with the longitudinally movable firing beam. 
     Example 49—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 48, wherein the wedge sled is configured to prevent the firing beam from entering a locked position when the wedge sled is in the unfired position and upon application of an initial firing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam. 
     Example 50—A surgical stapling instrument, comprising a surgical end effector that comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and comprises an articulation joint that is operably coupled to the surgical end effector to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The elongate shaft assembly further comprises a closure assembly that is axially movable in response to closure motions that are applied thereto. The closure assembly comprises a distal closure member segment and a proximal closure member segment that movably interfaces with the distal closure member segment to accommodate articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis. The proximal closure member segment is configured to move one of the anvil and the elongate channel between the open and closed positions upon application of the closure motions to the closure assembly. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a longitudinally movable firing beam that extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. The longitudinally movable firing beam is configured to operably engage a corresponding portion of an unfired surgical staple cartridge that is operably supported in the elongate channel when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a firing beam locking assembly that comprises a biasing member that is operably supported on the distal closure member segment for biasing the longitudinally movable firing beam into a locked position wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting position to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the elongate channel. 
     Example 51—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 50, wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam has a sloped portion that is configured for engagement with the biasing member when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position. 
     Example 52—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 50 or 51, wherein the unfired surgical staple cartridge comprises a plurality of surgical staples operably supported within a cartridge body and a wedge sled that is axially movable through the cartridge body to eject the surgical staples therefrom when the wedge sled is moved from an unfired position to a fired position therein. The wedge sled is configured for operable engagement with the longitudinally movable firing beam when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position and the wedge sled is in the unfired position. 
     Example 53—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 52 wherein the wedge sled is configured to prevent the firing beam from entering a locked position when the wedge sled is in the unfired position and upon application of an initial firing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam. 
     Example 54—A surgical stapling instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical end effector comprises a cartridge support member that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a longitudinally movable firing beam that includes a portion that extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. The longitudinally movable firing beam is configured to operably engage a corresponding portion of an unfired surgical staple cartridge that is operably supported in the cartridge support member when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position. The surgical stapling instrument further includes means for providing lateral support to the portion of the longitudinally movable firing beam that extends through the articulation joint as the surgical end effector is articulated about the articulation axis. The means for providing further comprises means for preventing the longitudinally movable firing beam from moving from the starting position to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member. 
     Example 55—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 54, wherein the means for providing lateral support further comprises a middle support member that is movably attached to the cartridge support member and the elongate shaft assembly. The middle support member comprises a slot for movably receiving the portion of the longitudinally movable firing beam therethrough. The means for preventing comprises a biasing member that is supported on the middle support member and is configured to apply a biasing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam to move the longitudinally movable firing beam into a locked position wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting position to the ending position unless the unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member. 
     Example 56—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 55, wherein the longitudinally movable firing beam comprises a locking cam formed on the portion of the longitudinally movable firing beam for engagement with the biasing member. 
     Example 57—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 56, wherein the biasing member comprises a planar body that comprises a window located therein such that the locking cam protrudes therein during the articulation of the surgical end effector. 
     Example 58—The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 54, 55, 55 or 57, wherein the unfired surgical staple cartridge comprises a plurality of surgical staples that are operably supported within a cartridge body and a wedge sled that is axially movable through the cartridge body to eject the surgical staples therefrom when the wedge sled is moved from an unfired position to a fired position therein. The wedge sled is configured for operable engagement with the longitudinally movable firing beam when the longitudinally movable firing beam is in the starting position and the wedge sled is in the unfired position. 
     Example 59—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 58, wherein the wedge sled is configured to prevent the firing beam from entering a locked position when the wedge sled is in the unfired position and upon application of an initial firing motion to the longitudinally movable firing beam. 
     Example 60—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A longitudinally movable flexible firing beam is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. The middle support member comprises a middle body portion that includes a proximal end and a distal end. A firing beam slot extends between that proximal end and the distal end and is configured to movably support each lateral side of a portion of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. The surgical instrument further comprises a proximal support link that comprises an elongate proximal body that is located proximal to the middle support member and is configured to laterally support proximal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. The proximal support link movably interfaces with the proximal end of the middle support member. The surgical instrument further comprises a distal support link that comprises an elongate distal body that is located distal to the middle support member and is configured to laterally support corresponding distal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. The distal support link movably interfaces with the distal end of the middle support member. 
     Example 61—The surgical instrument of Example 60, wherein the elongate proximal body of the proximal support link comprises a proximal top member and two downwardly extending opposed proximal support walls. One of the proximal support walls is located adjacent one of the proximal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. Another one of the opposed proximal support walls is adjacent another one of the proximal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. The elongate distal body of the distal support link comprises a distal top member and two downwardly extending opposed distal support walls. One of the distal support walls is located adjacent one of the distal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. Another one of the opposed distal support walls is adjacent another one of the distal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. 
     Example 62—The surgical instrument of Example 61, wherein the one of the proximal support walls includes a proximal arcuate surface that faces one of the proximal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint and wherein the another one of the proximal support walls includes another proximal arcuate surface that faces another one of the proximal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. One of the distal support walls includes a distal arcuate surface that faces one of the distal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. Another one of the distal support walls includes another distal arcuate surface that faces another one of the distal lateral side portions of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. 
     Example 63—The surgical instrument of Examples 61 or 62, wherein the proximal end of the middle support member comprises an arcuate proximal pocket that is configured to movably receive a distal nose portion of the proximal top member of the proximal support link therein. The distal end of the middle support member comprises a distal arcuate pocket that is configured to movably receive a proximal nose portion of the distal top member of the distal support link therein. 
     Example 64—The surgical instrument of Examples 60, 61, 62 or 63, wherein the middle support member is pivotally coupled to the portion of the surgical end effector for pivotal travel relative thereto about a pivot axis. The middle support member is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for pivotal and axial travel relative thereto. 
     Example 65—The surgical instrument of Example 64, wherein the middle support member is pinned to the elongate shaft assembly by a proximal pin that extends through an elongate slot in the middle support member. 
     Example 66—The surgical instrument of Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 or 65, wherein the elongate shaft assembly comprises a distal spine comprising a distal spine pocket that is configured to movably receive therein a proximal nose portion of the proximal top member therein. 
     Example 67—The surgical instrument of Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 or 66, wherein the portion of the surgical end effector comprises a channel pocket that is configured to movably receive therein a distal nose portion of the distal top member therein. 
     Example 68—The surgical instrument of Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 or 67, wherein the portion of the surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 69—The surgical instrument of Example 68, further comprising an anvil supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 70—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and comprises right and left opposing shaft notches that are formed in a distal end thereof. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A longitudinally movable flexible firing beam is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. The middle support member comprises a middle body portion that includes right and left opposing support notches that are formed in a distal end thereof and a firing beam slot that is configured to movably support lateral side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. A pivot link is configured to laterally support side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. The pivot link comprises a proximally protruding proximal nose portion that is configured to movably engage either one of the right and left opposing shaft notches as the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam flexes in response to articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis. A distally protruding distal nose portion is configured to movably engage either one of the right and left opposing support notches in the movable support member as the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam flexes in response to articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis. 
     Example 71—The surgical instrument of Example 70, wherein the pivot link further comprises a first lateral support wall that is adjacent to one of the lateral side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and a second lateral support wall that is adjacent to another one of the lateral side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. 
     Example 72—The surgical instrument of Example 71, wherein the first lateral support wall includes a first arcuate surface that faces one of the lateral side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and wherein the second lateral support wall includes a second arcuate surface that faces another one of the another lateral side portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. 
     Example 73—The surgical instrument of Examples 71 or 72, further comprising a first compression band that extends between the one lateral side portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and the first lateral support wall. The first compression band comprises a first distal end that is supported on the surgical end effector and a first proximal end that is movably supported on the elongate shaft assembly. A second compression band extends between the another lateral side portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and the second lateral support wall. The second compression band comprises a second distal end that is supported on the surgical end effector and a second proximal end that is movably supported on the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 74—The surgical instrument of Example 73, further comprising a third compression band that extends between the one lateral side portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and the first compression band. The third compression band comprises a third distal end that is supported on the surgical end effector and a third proximal end that is movably supported on the elongate shaft assembly. A fourth compression band extends between the another lateral side portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and the second compression band. The fourth compression band comprises a fourth distal end that is supported on the surgical end effector and a fourth proximal end that is movably supported on the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 75—A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A longitudinally movable flexible firing beam is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto and is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a U-shaped proximal support link comprises a proximal top member and two proximal side members. The U-shaped proximal support link extends over a proximal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam such that one of the proximal side members is adjacent one lateral side of the proximal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and another one of the proximal side members is adjacent another lateral side of the proximal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. The proximal top member movably interfaces with the middle support member. The surgical instrument further comprises a U-shaped distal support link that comprises a distal top member and two distal side members. The U-shaped distal support link extends over a distal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam such that one of the distal side members is adjacent one lateral side of the distal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam and another one of the distal side members is adjacent another lateral side of the distal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. The distal top member movably interfaces with the middle support member. 
     Example 76—The surgical instrument of Example 75, wherein the proximal top member movably interfaces with the elongate shaft assembly and wherein the distal top member movably interfaces with a portion of the surgical end effector. 
     Example 77—The surgical instrument of Examples 75 or 76, wherein the proximal top member comprises a first proximally protruding proximal nose portion that movably extends into a distal pocket formed in the elongate shaft assembly and a first distally protruding distal nose portion that movably extends into a proximal pocket in the middle support member. The distal top member comprises a second proximally protruding proximal nose portion that movably extends into a distal pocket in the middle support member and a second distally protruding distal nose portion that movably extends into a channel pocket in the surgical end effector. 
     Example 78—The surgical instrument of Examples 75, 76 or 77, wherein one of the two proximal side members comprises a proximal arcuate surface that faces the one lateral side of the proximal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. The another one of the proximal side members includes another proximal arcuate surface that faces the another lateral side of the proximal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. One of the two distal side members comprises a distal arcuate surface that faces the one lateral side of the distal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. Another one of the distal side members comprises another distal arcuate surface that faces the another distal side of the distal portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. 
     Example 79—The surgical instrument of Examples 75, 76, 77 or 78, wherein the middle support member is movably coupled to an elongate channel of the surgical end effector that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 80—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A central firing beam support member extends across the articulation joint and comprises a distal end that is coupled to the surgical end effector and a proximal end that is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. A longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. The longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly comprises a plurality of beam layers that are supported relative to each other such that at least one of the beam layers is configured to movably pass on one lateral side of the central firing beam support member and at least one other of the beam layers is configured to movably pass on another lateral side of the central firing beam support member. A plurality of lateral load carrying members correspond to the central firing beam support and are supported on portions of the least one of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the one lateral side of the central firing beam support member and the at least one other of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the another lateral side of the central firing beam support member. 
     Example 81—The surgical instrument of Example 80, wherein at least one of the beam layers that is configured to movably pass on the one lateral side of the central firing beam support member comprises two of the beam layers and wherein the at least one other of the beam layers that is configured to pass on the another lateral side of the central firing beam support member comprises two of the other beam layers. 
     Example 82—The surgical instrument of Examples 80 or 81, wherein the lateral load carrying members are movable relative to each other. 
     Example 83—The surgical instrument of Examples 80, 81 or 82, wherein each of the lateral load carrying members comprises an axial passage for movably receiving the portions of the least one of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the one lateral side of the central firing beam support member and the at least one other of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the another lateral side of the central firing beam support member. 
     Example 84—The surgical instrument of Examples 80, 81, 82 or 83, wherein a portion of the surgical end effector that is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by the articulation joint comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 85—The surgical instrument of Example 84, further comprising an anvil that is supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 86—The surgical instrument of Examples 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 or 85, wherein the distal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes below a bottom surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the surgical end effector and the proximal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes above an upper surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 87—The surgical instrument of Example 86, wherein the distal end of the central firing beam support member is pinned to an elongate channel of the surgical end effector and wherein the proximal end of the central firing beam support member is pinned to a spine portion of the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 88—The surgical instrument of Examples 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 or 87, wherein at least two of the plurality of the lateral load carrying members each include arcuate end surfaces and are arranged on the portions of the least one of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the one lateral side of the central firing beam support member and the at least one other of the beam layers that are configured to movably pass on the another lateral side of the central firing beam support member such that one of the arcuate end surfaces on one of the at least two lateral load carrying members is adjacent another one of the arcuate end surfaces on another one of the at least two lateral load carrying members. 
     Example 89—The surgical instrument of Example 83, wherein each axial passage comprises a pair of spaced internal arcuate surfaces that are configured to facilitate pivotal movement of each of the lateral load carrying members on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam. 
     Example 90—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A central firing beam support member is axially aligned along the shaft axis and extends across the articulation joint. The central firing beam support member comprises a distal end that is coupled to the surgical end effector and a proximal end that is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. The surgical instrument further comprises a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly that comprises a plurality of beam layers that are configured to axially pass the central firing beam support member such that at least one of the beam layers passes on each lateral side of the central firing beam support member as the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly traverses the articulation joint. Means are movably supported on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam for laterally supporting a portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint when the surgical end effector is articulated about the articulation axis. 
     Example 91—The surgical instrument of Example 90, wherein the distal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes below a bottom surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the surgical end effector. The proximal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes above an upper surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 92—The surgical instrument of Examples 90 or 91, wherein a portion of the surgical end effector that is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by the articulation joint comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 93—The surgical instrument of Example 92, further comprising an anvil that is supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 94—The surgical instrument of Examples 90, 91, 92 or 93 further comprising a firing member attached to a distal end of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly. 
     Example 95—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by an articulation joint such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A central firing beam support member is axially aligned along the shaft axis and extends across the articulation joint. The central firing beam support member comprises a distal end that is coupled to the surgical end effector and a proximal end that is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. The surgical instrument further comprises a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly that comprises a plurality of beam layers such that as the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly is distally advanced, the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly is bifurcated by the central firing beam support member so that portions of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly pass adjacent to each lateral side of the central firing beam support member 
     Example 96—The surgical instrument of Example 95, further comprising means that are movably supported on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly for laterally supporting a portion of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly traversing the articulation joint when the surgical end effector is articulated about the articulation axis. 
     Example 97—The surgical instrument of Example 95, wherein means for laterally supporting comprises a plurality of lateral load carrying members that are supported on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly. Each of the lateral load carrying members is independently movable on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly. 
     Example 98—The surgical instrument of Examples 95, 96 or 97, wherein a distal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes below a bottom surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the surgical end effector and the proximal end of the central firing beam support member protrudes above an upper surface of the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly to be attached to the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 99—The surgical instrument of Example 97, wherein each of the lateral load carrying members includes an axial passage therethrough that comprises a pair of spaced internal arcuate surfaces to facilitate pivotal movement of each lateral load carrying member on the longitudinally movable flexible firing beam assembly. 
     Example 100—A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system that comprises a first distal articulation driver that is supported for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction and a proximal direction in response to corresponding articulation motions applied thereto. The first distal articulation driver is operably coupled to the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises a second distal articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel in the distal and proximal directions. The second distal articulation driver is operably coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one pinion gear is in meshing engagement with the first distal articulation driver and the second distal articulation driver such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the distal direction, the at least one pinion gear is configured to drive the second distal articulation driver in the proximal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one pinion gear drives the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction that is opposite to the first articulation direction. 
     Example 101—The surgical instrument of Example 100, wherein the first distal articulation driver is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector and, wherein the second distal articulation driver is pivotally attached to the surgical end effector. 
     Example 102—The surgical instrument of Examples 100 or 101, wherein the first distal articulation driver is attached to the surgical end effector by a first movable coupler and wherein the second distal articulation driver is attached to the surgical end effector by a second movable coupler. 
     Example 103—The surgical instrument of Example 102, wherein the first movable coupler is attached to the first distal articulation driver by a first ball joint and, wherein the second distal articulation driver is attached to the second movable coupler by a second ball joint. 
     Example 104—The surgical instrument of Examples 100, 101, 102, or 103, further comprising means for selectively locking the surgical end effector in a plurality of articulated positions relative to the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 105—The surgical instrument of Example 104, wherein the means for selectively locking comprises means for selectively preventing the distal articulation driver from longitudinally moving in the proximal and distal directions. 
     Example 106—The surgical instrument of Examples 104 or 105, further comprising a proximal articulation driver that operably interfaces with a source of proximal and distal articulation motions. The proximal articulation driver operably interfaces with the means for selectively preventing to selectively unlock the means for selectively preventing and cause the means for selectively preventing to apply the proximal and distal articulation motions to the first distal articulation driver. 
     Example 107—The surgical instrument of Examples 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 or 106, wherein a portion of the surgical end effector that is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 108—The surgical stapling instrument of Example 107, further comprising an anvil that is supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 109—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system that comprises a first distal articulation driver that is supported for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction and in a proximal direction in response to corresponding articulation motions applied thereto. The first distal articulation driver is operably coupled to the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises a second distal articulation driver that comprises an endless member that operably interfaces with the first distal articulation driver and the surgical end effector. The endless member is supported on the elongate shaft assembly for selective rotational travel in response to a longitudinal travel of the first distal articulation driver such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the distal direction, the endless member causes the surgical end effector to articulate about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the endless member causes the surgical end effector to articulate about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction that is opposite to the first articulation direction. 
     Example 110—The surgical instrument of Example 109, wherein the endless member is rotatably supported on a proximal pulley mounted to the elongate shaft assembly and a distal pulley on the surgical end effector. 
     Example 111—The surgical instrument of Examples 110 wherein the endless member is operably attached to the distal pulley by an attachment lug attached to the endless member and configured to be received in an attachment pocket in the distal pulley. 
     Example 112—The surgical instrument of Examples 109, 110 or 111, wherein the endless member comprises a length of cable including a first lug attached to a first cable end and a second lug attached to a second cable end. The second lug is also attached to the first lug to form the endless member. 
     Example 113—The surgical instrument of Example 112, wherein the distal articulation driver comprises first and second cradles for receiving the first and second lugs therein. 
     Example 114—The surgical instrument of Examples 110 or 111, wherein the distal pulley is formed on an elongate channel of the surgical end effector. The elongate channel being configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 115—The surgical instrument of Examples 110 or 111, wherein the distal pulley is formed on an end effector mounting assembly that is attached to an elongate channel portion of the surgical end effector. The elongate channel is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. 
     Example 116—The surgical instrument of Examples 114 or 115, further comprising an anvil supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 117—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system comprising a first distal articulation driver that is supported for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction and in a proximal direction in response to corresponding articulation motions applied thereto. The first distal articulation driver is operably coupled to the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises a second distal articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel in the distal and proximal directions. The second distal articulation driver is operably coupled to the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises drive means that interfaces with the first distal articulation driver and the second distal articulation driver such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the distal direction, the drive means drives the second distal articulation driver in the proximal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the drive means drives the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction that is opposite to the first articulation direction. 
     Example 118—The surgical instrument of Example 117, wherein the surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is supported relative to the elongate channel such that one of the anvil and the elongate channel is selectively movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the elongate channel between open and closed positions. 
     Example 119—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system that comprises a rotary articulation member that is supported for rotational travel about a rotary axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A first distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the rotary articulation member and is supported for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction and in a proximal direction in response to corresponding articulation motions applied thereto by the rotary articulation member. The first distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. A second distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the rotary articulation member and is supported for longitudinal travel in the distal and proximal directions. The second distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises means for selectively rotating the rotary articulation member in first and second rotary directions about the rotary axis such that when the rotary articulation member is rotated in the first rotary direction by the means for selectively rotating, the first distal articulation driver assembly is longitudinally driven in the distal direction and the second distal articulation driver is simultaneously moved in the proximal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and when the rotary articulation member is rotated in the second rotary direction by the means for selectively rotating, the first distal articulation driver assembly is longitudinally driven in the proximal direction and the second distal articulation driver assembly is simultaneously moved in the distal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction about the articulation axis that is opposite to the first articulation direction. 
     Example 120—The surgical instrument of Example 119, wherein the rotary articulation member comprises a rotary articulation disc and wherein the first distal articulation driver assembly comprises a first articulation driver portion that is movably supported within a first articulation slot in the rotary articulation disc and wherein the second distal articulation driver assembly comprises a second articulation driver portion movably supported within a second articulation slot in the rotary articulation disc. 
     Example 121—The surgical instrument of Examples 119 or 120, further comprising a first biasing member that interacts with the first articulation driver portion to bias the first distal articulation driver assembly into a first neutral articulation position when the means for selectively rotated is unactuated. A second biasing member interacts with the second articulation driver portion to bias the second distal articulation driver assembly into a second neutral articulation position when the means for selectively rotated is unactuated. 
     Example 122—The surgical instrument of Examples 119, 120 or 121, wherein the first distal articulation driver assembly comprises a first articulation link that movably interfacing with the rotary articulation member. A first articulation connector is pivotally coupled to the first articulation link. The first articulation connector operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The second distal articulation assembly comprises a second articulation link that movably interfaces with the rotary articulation member and a second articulation member is pivotally coupled to the second articulation link and operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. 
     Example 123—The surgical instrument of Example 122, wherein the first distal articulation driver assembly further comprises an articulation lock assembly that operably interfaces with the first articulation connector and the surgical end effector and is configured to selectively lock the surgical end effector in a plurality of articulated positions relative to the elongate shaft assembly. 
     Example 124—The surgical instrument of Example 123, further comprising a first articulation member that operably interfaces with the articulation lock assembly and the surgical end effector. 
     Example 125—The surgical instrument of Example 124 wherein the first articulation member is coupled to the surgical end effector by a first movable coupler and wherein the second articulation member is coupled to the surgical end effector by a second movable coupler. 
     Example 126—The surgical instrument of Example 126, wherein the first articulation member is coupled to the first movable coupler by a first ball joint and wherein the second articulation member is coupled to the second movable coupler by a second ball joint. 
     Example 127—The surgical instrument of Examples 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 or 126, wherein the means for selectively rotating comprises a motor in meshing engagement with the rotary articulation member. 
     Example 128—The surgical instrument of Examples 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 or 126, further comprising a longitudinally movable firing member and wherein the means for selectively rotating comprises a motor that is configured to generate rotary output motions and a switching arrangement that operably interfaces with the motor and the longitudinally movable firing member and an articulation drive link that is in operable engagement with the rotary articulation member. The switching arrangement is configured to move between a first position wherein actuation of the motor results in applications of axial articulation motions to the articulation drive link to thereby cause the rotary articulation member to rotate about the rotary axis and a second position wherein actuation of the motor results in applications of axial firing motions to the longitudinally movable firing member 
     Example 129—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system that comprises a rotary driver member that is supported for rotation travel about a rotary axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A rotary driven member is supported for rotational travel relative to the rotary driver member about the rotary axis. The rotary driven member operably interfaces with the rotary drive member such that application of articulation control motions to the rotary driver member causes the rotary driven member to rotate about the rotary axis. A first distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with at least the rotary driven member and is supported for selective longitudinal travel in a distal direction and a proximal direction in response to rotation of at least the first rotary driven member. The first distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises a second distal articulation driver assembly that operably interfaces with at least the rotary driven member and is supported for longitudinal travel in the distal and proximal directions. The second distal articulation driver assembly operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The articulation system further comprises means for selectively applying the articulation control motions to the rotary driver member to cause the rotary driver member to rotate about the rotary axis and to thereby cause the rotary driven member to rotate about the rotary axis such that when the rotary driven member rotates in a first rotary direction, the first distal articulation driver assembly is longitudinally driven in the distal direction and the second distal articulation driver is simultaneously moved in the proximal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and when the rotary driven member is rotated in a second rotary direction, the first distal articulation driver assembly is longitudinally driven in the proximal direction and the second distal articulation driver assembly is simultaneously moved in the distal direction to articulate the surgical end effector about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction about the articulation axis that is opposite to the first articulation direction. 
     Example 130—The surgical instrument of Example 129, wherein the rotary driver member comprises a rotary driver articulation disc and wherein the second rotary driven member comprises a rotary driven articulation disc and wherein the first distal articulation driver assembly comprises a first articulation driver portion that is movably supported within corresponding first articulation slots in each of the rotary driver articulation disc and the rotary driven articulation disc and wherein the second distal articulation driver assembly comprises a second articulation driver portion movably supported within corresponding second articulation slots in each of the rotary driver articulation disc and the rotary driven articulation disc. 
     Example 131—The surgical instrument of Examples 129 or 130 wherein the first distal articulation driver assembly comprises a first articulation link that movably interfaces with the rotary driver member and the rotary driven member and a first articulation member that is pivotally coupled to the first articulation link. The first articulation member operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The second distal articulation assembly comprises a second articulation link that movably interfaces with the rotary drive member and the rotary driven member and a second articulation member is pivotally coupled to the second articulation link and operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. 
     Example 132—The surgical instrument of Example 131, wherein the first articulation member is coupled to the surgical end effector by a first movable coupler and the second articulation member is coupled to the surgical end effector by a second movable coupler. 
     Example 133—The surgical instrument of Example 132, wherein the first articulation member is coupled to the first movable coupler by a first ball joint and wherein the second articulation member is coupled to the second movable coupler by a second ball joint. 
     Example 134—The surgical instrument of Examples 129, 130, 131, 132 or 133, wherein the means for selectively applying comprises a motor in meshing engagement with the rotary driver member. 
     Example 135—The surgical instrument of Examples 129, 130, 131, 132 or 133, further comprising a longitudinally movable firing member and wherein the means for selectively applying comprises a motor that is configured to generate rotary output motions. The means for selectively applying further comprising a switching arrangement that operably interfaces with the motor and the longitudinally movable firing member and an articulation drive link that is in operable engagement with the rotary driver member. The switching arrangement is configured to move between a first position wherein actuation of the motor results in applications of axial articulation motions to the articulation drive link to thereby cause the rotary driver member to rotate about the rotary axis and a second position wherein actuation of the motor results in applications of axial firing motions to the longitudinally movable firing member. 
     Example 136—A surgical instrument, comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation system that comprises means that is operably coupled to the surgical end effector for articulating the surgical end effector about the articulation axis and means for selectively generating rotary motions. The articulation system further comprises a rotary member that operably interfaces with the means for generating a rotary motion and the means for articulating such that application of the rotary motions by the means for selectively generating to the rotary member causes the means for articulating to simultaneously apply opposed axial articulation motions to the surgical end effector wherein one of the opposed axial motions is applied to at a point of attachment on the surgical end effector that is laterally offset to one lateral side of the articulation axis and wherein the other opposed axial motion is applied to another point of attachment on the surgical end effector that is laterally offset on another lateral side of the articulation axis. 
     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; 
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     U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013; 
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     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443; 
     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. 12/249,117, 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. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358; 
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     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; 
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     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 the various embodiments of the devices have been described herein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, many modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. 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, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. 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. 
     By way of example only, aspects described 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, 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 also may be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta or gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, 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. 
     Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.