Patent Publication Number: US-11045192-B2

Title: Fabricating techniques for surgical stapler anvils

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a powered surgical stapling system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of portions of a handle assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another partial exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another partial perspective view of an end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 2  with jaws thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of a portion of the end effector and interchangeable shaft assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a distal closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the distal closure member embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 7 , with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a fully open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 10 , taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 11 , with the anvil and closure member in a closed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the anvil and closure member of  FIG. 12 , taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of  FIG. 13 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an “over-closed” position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 14  taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of another end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 16 , with the anvil and a closure member thereof in a fully open position; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 17 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 19 , taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of the end effector and portion of interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 19 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 21 , taken along line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an end view of another distal closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in an open position; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 24 , taken along line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevational view of the end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 24 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 26 , taken along line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a side elevational view of the end effector and interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 24 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 28 , taken along line  29 - 29  in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an end view of another closure member embodiment; 
         FIG. 31  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 32  is another side elevational view of the end effector of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 31 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an “over-closed” position; 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 31 , with the anvil in the closed position; 
         FIG. 34  is another enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 32 , with the anvil in the over-closed position; 
         FIG. 35  is a side elevational view of another end effector and portion of another interchangeable surgical shaft assembly, with an anvil and a closure member thereof in a closed position; 
         FIG. 36  is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 35 , with the anvil in the closed position; 
         FIG. 37  is another side elevational view of the end effector of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of  FIG. 35 , with the anvil and closure member thereof in an over-closed position; 
         FIG. 38  is another enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the end effector and closure member of  FIG. 37 , with the anvil in the over-closed position; 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of a previous surgical staple cartridge configured to form flexible lines of surgical staples; 
         FIG. 40  is a top view of lines of surgical staples formed in tissue by the surgical staple cartridge of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a side elevational view of a previous surgical staple embodiment; 
         FIG. 42  is a side elevational view of another previous surgical staple embodiment; 
         FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of a previous anvil; 
         FIG. 44  is a photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section through a welded joint of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the previous anvil of  FIGS. 61 and 62  prior to the formation of staple-forming pockets therein; 
         FIG. 46  is another cross-sectional view of the previous anvil of  FIG. 45  after a staple-forming pocket has been coined therein; 
         FIG. 47  is a photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section through the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 48  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section of a portion of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 49  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section of a portion of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 50  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section of a portion of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 51  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a cross-section of a portion of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 52  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a portion of a staple-forming undersurface of the previous anvil of  FIG. 43 ; 
         FIG. 53  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a portion of a staple-forming pocket of the previous anvil of  FIG. 52 ; 
         FIG. 54  is another photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope of a portion of a bottom surface of the staple-forming pocket of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a diagram of a method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 56  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another anvil that is formed using the method of  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 57  is another cross-sectional view of a portion of a completed anvil that is formed using the method of  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 58  is a cross-sectional view of a staple-forming pocket of the anvil of  FIG. 56 , prior to an application of a coining action; 
         FIG. 59  is another cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket of  FIG. 58  after the application of a coining action thereto; 
         FIG. 60  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view of a staple-forming pocket of another anvil that is formed using the method of  FIG. 60  prior to an application of a coining action thereto; 
         FIG. 62  is a top view of the staple-forming pocket of  FIG. 61 ; 
         FIG. 63  is another cross-sectional view of the staple-forming pocket of  FIG. 61  after an application of a coining action thereto; 
         FIG. 64  is a top view of the staple-forming pocket of  FIG. 63 ; 
         FIG. 65  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 66  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 67  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 68  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 69  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 70  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; 
         FIG. 71  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil; and 
         FIG. 72  is a diagram of another method for forming a surgical stapler anvil. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101, entitled METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054323; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,183, entitled REINFORCED DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054327; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,150, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054326; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,122 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE MEMBERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054324; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054325; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054320; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054321; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054328; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104, entitled POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054329; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119, entitled ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054330; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160, entitled SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0054331; and 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/660,252, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications and U.S. Patents that are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168642; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168649; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,221, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-01686; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168645; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168644; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168651. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168629; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941, entitled SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168630; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168631; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950, entitled SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168635; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,945, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168632; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168633; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168636; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953, entitled METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168637; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954, entitled FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168638; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168639; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168584; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168640; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168641; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,947, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168634; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896, entitled METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168597; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168599; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168600; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,901, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168602; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168603; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904, entitled STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168605; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168606; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168608; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168609; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168610; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,920, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168620; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,913, entitled ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168614; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914, entitled METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168615; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,893, entitled BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168594; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168626; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,911, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168612; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168625; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,917, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168617; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168601; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931, entitled NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168627; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,915, entitled FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168616; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897, entitled STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168598; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168622; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168624; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,910, entitled ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168611; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, entitled CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168604; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906, entitled FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168607; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168585; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,192, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168643; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,206, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168586; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226, entitled DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168648; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168647; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236, entitled CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168650; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887, entitled METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168589; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168590; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168591; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168592; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168593; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168595; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168596; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,916, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168575; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,918, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168618; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,919, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168619; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168621; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168623; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925, entitled JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168576; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926, entitled AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168577; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168578; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168579; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168628; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168580; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934, entitled ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168581; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,935, entitled LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168582; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES, U.S. Patent Application Publication No., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0168583; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,996, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297228; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,006, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES, Now U.S. Pat. No. 10,010,324; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,991, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,833,241; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,004, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,369; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,008, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297232; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,997, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297229; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,002, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,877,721; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,013, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297233; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,016, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0297235. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,834, entitled STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,218, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER; 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,227, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER; 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,259, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE; and 
     U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,264, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,326, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,210, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,336, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Dec. 31, 2015 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,488, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,525, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Feb. 9, 2016 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent Applications identified below which were filed on Feb. 12, 2016 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,254, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,259, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,275, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256184; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/02561185; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256154; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256071; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256153; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256187; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256186; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256155; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256163; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256160; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256162; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256161. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249919; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249915; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249910; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249918; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249916; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249908; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249909; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249945; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249927; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249917. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174977; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174969; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174978; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174976; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174972; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174983; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174975; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174973; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174970; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174971. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246472; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0249557; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,358,003; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246478; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,767; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,438; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,398,911; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,986. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263542; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,987; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263564; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263538; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263554; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263565; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,726; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,727; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0277017. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent application that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263539. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272582; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272581; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272580; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272574; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272579; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272569; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272571; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272578; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272570; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272572; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272557; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0277471; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0280424; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272583; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0280384. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066912; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066914; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066910; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR&#39;S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066909; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066915; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066911; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066916; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066913. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305987; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305989; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305988; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309666; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305991; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305994; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309665; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305990; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL; and 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. 
     The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute. 
     Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient&#39;s body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced. 
     A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint. 
     The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may be possible. 
     The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient members configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil. 
     Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam which engages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the ramped surfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife. 
       FIGS. 1 and 3  depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument  1010  that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument  1010  includes a previous housing  1012  that comprises a handle  1014  that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by the clinician. The housing  1012  is configured for operable attachment to an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  that has a surgical end effector  1300  operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, it will be understood that the various forms of interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may also be effectively employed in connection with robotically-controlled surgical systems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing or similar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drive system that is configured to generate and apply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. In addition, various components may be “housed” or contained in the housing or various components may be “associated with” a housing. In such instances, the components may not be contained with the housing or supported directly by the housing. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term “frame” may also represent a portion of a robotically controlled surgical instrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may be used to operably control a surgical instrument. For example, the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various robotic systems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The previous housing  1012  depicted in  FIG. 1  is shown in connection with an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  ( FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 ) that includes an end effector  1300  that comprises a surgical cutting and fastening device that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge  4000  therein. The housing  1012  may be configured for use in connection with interchangeable shaft assemblies that include end effectors that are adapted to support different sizes and types of staple cartridges, have different shaft lengths, sizes, and types, etc. In addition, the housing  1012  may also be effectively employed with a variety of other interchangeable shaft assemblies including those assemblies that are configured to apply other motions and forms of energy such as, for example, radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonic energy and/or motion to end effector arrangements adapted for use in connection with various surgical applications and procedures. Furthermore, the end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles, surgical instruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize any suitable fastener, or fasteners, to fasten tissue. For instance, a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein can be removably inserted into and/or attached to the end effector of a shaft assembly. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the surgical instrument  1010  that includes an interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  operably coupled to the housing  1012 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  detached from the housing  1012  or handle  1014 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the handle  1014  may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments  1016  and  1018  that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments  1016 ,  1018  cooperate to form a pistol grip portion  1019  that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As will be discussed in further detail below, the handle  1014  operably supports a plurality of drive systems therein that are configured to generate and apply various control motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the handle  1014  may further include a frame  1020  that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame  1020  can operably support a “first” or closure drive system, generally designated as  1030 , which may be employed to apply closing and opening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  that is operably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closure drive system  1030  may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger  1032  that is pivotally supported by the frame  1020 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the closure trigger  1032  is pivotally coupled to the housing  1014  by a pin  1033 . Such arrangement enables the closure trigger  1032  to be manipulated by a clinician such that when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 , the closure trigger  1032  may be easily pivoted from a starting or “unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly to a fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger  1032  may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasing arrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system  1030  further includes a closure linkage assembly  1034  that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  1032 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the closure linkage assembly  1034  may include a first closure link  1036  and a second closure link  1038  that are pivotally coupled to the closure trigger  1032  by a pin  1035 . The second closure link  1038  may also be referred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverse attachment pin  1037 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , it can be observed that the first closure link  1036  may have a locking wall or end  1039  thereon that is configured to cooperate with a closure release assembly  1060  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  1020 . In at least one form, the closure release assembly  1060  may comprise a release button assembly  1062  that has a distally protruding locking pawl  1064  formed thereon. The release button assembly  1062  may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by a release spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  1032  from its unactuated position towards the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 , the first closure link  1036  pivots upward to a point wherein the locking pawl  1064  drops into retaining engagement with the locking wall  1039  on the first closure link  1036  thereby preventing the closure trigger  1032  from returning to the unactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly  1060  serves to lock the closure trigger  1032  in the fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger  1032  to permit it to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots the closure release button assembly  1062  such that the locking pawl  1064  is moved out of engagement with the locking wall  1039  on the first closure link  1036 . When the locking pawl  1064  has been moved out of engagement with the first closure link  1036 , the closure trigger  1032  may pivot back to the unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and release arrangements may also be employed. 
     An arm  1061  may extend from the closure release button  1062 . A magnetic element  1063 , such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted to the arm  1061 . When the closure release button  1062  is rotated from its first position to its second position, the magnetic element  1063  can move toward a circuit board  1100 . The circuit board  1100  can include at least one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of the magnetic element  1063 . In at least one embodiment, for example, a “Hall Effect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of the circuit board  1100 . The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detect changes in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused by the movement of the magnetic element  1063 . The Hall Effect sensor can be in signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which can determine whether the closure release button  1062  is in its first position, which is associated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger  1032  and the open configuration of the end effector, its second position, which is associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger  1032  and the closed configuration of the end effector, and/or any position between the first position and the second position. 
     In at least one form, the handle  1014  and the frame  1020  may operably support another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system  1080  that is configured to apply firing motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. The firing drive system may  1080  also be referred to herein as a “second drive system”. The firing drive system  1080  may employ an electric motor  1082  that is located in the pistol grip portion  1019  of the handle  1014 . In various forms, the motor  1082  may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor  1082  may be powered by a power source  1090  that in one form may comprise a removable power pack  1092 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , for example, the power pack  1092  may comprise a proximal housing portion  1094  that is configured for attachment to a distal housing portion  1096 . The proximal housing portion  1094  and the distal housing portion  1096  are configured to operably support a plurality of batteries  1098  therein. Batteries  1098  may each comprise, for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion  1096  is configured for removable operable attachment to the circuit board assembly  1100  which is also operably coupled to the motor  1082 . A number of batteries  1098  may be connected in series may be used as the power source for the surgical instrument  1010 . In addition, the power source  1090  may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. 
     As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electric motor  1082  can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaces with a gear reducer assembly  1084  that is mounted in meshing engagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth  1122  on a longitudinally-movable drive member  1120 . In use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source  1090  can operate the electric motor  1082  in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor  1082  in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor  1082  is rotated in one direction, the drive member  1120  will be axially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor  82  is driven in the opposite rotary direction, the drive member  1120  will be axially driven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle  1014  can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor  1082  by the power source  1090 . As with the other forms described herein, the handle  1014  can also include a sensor that is configured to detect the position of the drive member  1120  and/or the direction in which the drive member  1120  is being moved. 
     Actuation of the motor  1082  can be controlled by a firing trigger  1130  that is pivotally supported on the handle  1014 . The firing trigger  1130  may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger  1130  may be biased into the unactuated position by a spring  1132  or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger  1130 , it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring  1132  or biasing arrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger  1130  can be positioned “outboard” of the closure trigger  132  as was discussed above. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button  1134  may be pivotally mounted to the closure trigger  1032  by pin  1035 . The safety button  1134  may be positioned between the firing trigger  1130  and the closure trigger  1032  and have a pivot arm  1136  protruding therefrom. See  FIG. 21 . When the closure trigger  1032  is in the unactuated position, the safety button  1134  is contained in the handle  1014  where the clinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety position preventing actuation of the firing trigger  1130  and a firing position wherein the firing trigger  1130  may be fired. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger  1032 , the safety button  1134  and the firing trigger  1130  pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician. 
     As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  has a rack of teeth  1122  formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear  1086  of the gear reducer assembly  1084 . At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable “bailout” assembly  1140  that is configured to enable the clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  should the motor  1082  become disabled. The bailout assembly  1140  may include a lever or bailout handle assembly  1142  that is configured to be manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth  1124  also provided in the drive member  1120 . Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member  1120  by using the bailout handle assembly  1142  to ratchet the drive member  1120  in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailout arrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  includes a surgical end effector  1300  that comprises an elongate channel  1310  that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge  4000  therein. The end effector  1300  may further include an anvil  2000  that is pivotally supported relative to the elongate channel  1310 . The interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  may further include an articulation joint  3020  and an articulation lock  2140  which can be configured to releasably hold the end effector  1300  in a desired position relative to a shaft axis SA. Examples of various features of at least one form of the end effector  1300 , the articulation joint  3020  and articulation locks may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK is hereby incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can further include a proximal housing or nozzle  1201  comprised of nozzle portions  1202  and  1203 . 
     The interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can further include a closure system or closure member assembly  3000  which can be utilized to close and/or open the anvil  2000  of the end effector  1300 . The shaft assembly  1200  can include a spine  1210  that is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member therein and, two, slidably support the closure member assembly  3000  which extends around the spine  1210 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , a distal end  1211  of spine  1210  terminates in an upper lug mount feature  1270  and in a lower lug mount feature  1280 . The upper lug mount feature  1270  is formed with a lug slot  1272  therein that is adapted to mountingly support an upper mounting link  1274  therein. Similarly, the lower lug mount feature  1280  is formed with a lug slot  1282  therein that is adapted to mountingly support a lower mounting link  1284  therein. The upper mounting link  1274  includes a pivot socket  1276  therein that is adapted to rotatably receive therein a pivot pin  1292  that is formed on a channel cap or anvil retainer  1290  that is attached to a proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . The lower mounting link  1284  includes lower pivot pin  1286  that adapted to be received within a pivot hole  1314  formed in the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . See  FIG. 5 . The lower pivot pin  1286  is vertically aligned with the pivot socket  1276  to define an articulation axis AA about which the surgical end effector  1300  may articulate relative to the shaft axis SA. See  FIG. 2 . 
     In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector  1300  is selectively articulatable about the articulation axis AA by an articulation system  2100 . In one form, the articulation system  2100  includes proximal articulation driver  2102  that is pivotally coupled to an articulation link  2120 . As can be most particularly seen in  FIG. 5 , an offset attachment lug  2114  is formed on a distal end  2112  of the proximal articulation driver  2102 . A pivot hole  2116  is formed in the offset attachment lug  2114  and is configured to pivotally receive therein a proximal link pin  2124  formed on the proximal end  2122  of the articulation link  3020 . A distal end  2126  of the articulation link  2120  includes a pivot hole  2128  that is configured to pivotally receive therein a channel pin  1317  formed on the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . Thus, axial movement of proximal articulation driver  2102  will thereby apply articulation motions to the elongate channel  1310  to thereby cause the surgical end effector  1300  to articulate about the articulation axis AA relative to the spine assembly  1210 . Further details concerning the construction and operation of the articulation system  2100  may be found in various references incorporated by reference herein including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, filed Jun. 28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver  2102  can be held in position by an articulation lock  2140  when the proximal articulation driver  2102  is not being moved in the proximal or distal directions. Additional details regarding an example of an articulation lock  2140  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631 as well as in other references incorporated by reference herein. 
     In various circumstances, the spine  1210  can comprise a proximal end  1211  which is rotatably supported in a chassis  1240 . In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end  1211  of the spine  1210  has a thread  1214  formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing  1216  configured to be supported within the chassis  1240 . See  FIG. 4 . Such an arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine  1210  to the chassis  1240  such that the spine  1210  may be selectively rotated about a shaft axis SA relative to the chassis  1240 . 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 4 , the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  includes a closure shuttle  1250  that is slidably supported within the chassis  1240  such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. The closure shuttle  1250  includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks  1252  that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin  1037  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) that is attached to the second closure link  1038  as will be discussed in further detail below. In at least one example, the closure member assembly  3000  comprises a proximal closure member segment  3010  that has a proximal end  3012  that is coupled to the closure shuttle  1250  for relative rotation thereto. For example, a U shaped connector  1263  is inserted into an annular slot  3014  in the proximal end  3012  of the proximal closure member segment  3010  and is retained within vertical slots  1253  in the closure shuttle  1250 . Such an arrangement serves to attach the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to the closure shuttle  1250  for axial travel therewith while enabling the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to rotate relative to the closure shuttle  1250  about the shaft axis SA. A closure spring  1268  is journaled on the proximal closure tube segment  3010  and serves to bias the proximal closure tube segment  3010  in the proximal direction “PD” which can serve to pivot the closure trigger  1032  into the unactuated position when the shaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle  1014 . 
     In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  may further include an articulation joint  3020 . Other interchangeable shaft assemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , for example, a distal closure member or distal closure tube segment  3030  is coupled to the distal end of the proximal closure member or proximal closure tube segment  3010 . The articulation joint  3020  includes a double pivot closure sleeve assembly  3022 . According to various forms, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly  3022  includes an end effector closure tube  3050  having upper and lower distally projecting tangs  3052 ,  3054 . An upper double pivot link  3056  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang  3052  and an upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang  3032  on the distal closure tube segment  3030 . A lower double pivot link  3058  includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang  3054  and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang  3034 . See  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the closure tube assembly  3000  is translated distally (direction “DD”) to close the anvil  2000 , for example, in response to the actuation of the closure trigger  1032 . The anvil  2000  is opened by proximally translating the closure tube assembly  3000  which causes the end effector closure sleeve to interact with the anvil  2000  and pivot it to an open position. 
     As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  further includes a firing member  1900  that is supported for axial travel within the shaft spine  1210 . The firing member includes an intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or knife bar  1910 . The intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  may include a longitudinal slot  1223  in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive a tab  1912  on the proximal end of the distal knife bar  1910 . The longitudinal slot  1223  and the proximal end tab  1912  can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint. The slip joint  1914  can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  of the firing drive to be moved to articulate the end effector  1300  without moving, or at least substantially moving, the knife bar  1910 . Once the end effector  1300  has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion  1222  can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot  1223  comes into contact with the tab  1912  in order to advance the knife bar  1910  and fire the staple cartridge  4000  positioned within the channel  1310 . The knife bar  1910  includes a knife portion  1920  that includes a blade or tissue cutting edge  1922  and includes an upper anvil engagement tab  1924  and lower channel engagement tabs  1926 . Various firing member configurations and operations are disclosed in various other references incorporated herein by reference. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly  1200  further includes a switch drum  1500  that is rotatably received on the closure tube  1260 . The switch drum  1500  comprises a hollow shaft segment  1502  that has a shaft boss formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuation pin therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin extends through a longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve to facilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve when it is engaged with the articulation driver. A rotary torsion spring  1420  is configured to engage the boss on the switch drum  1500  and a portion of the nozzle housing  1203  to apply a biasing force to the switch drum  1500 . The switch drum  1500  can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings  1506  defined therein which can be configured to receive circumferential mounts extending from the nozzle halves  1202 ,  1203  and permit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum  1500  and the proximal nozzle  1201 . The mounts also extend through openings  3011  in the proximal closure tube segment  3010  to be seated in recesses  1219  in the spine shaft  1210 . Rotation of the switch drum  1500  about the shaft axis SA will ultimately result in the rotation of the actuation pin and the lock sleeve between its engaged and disengaged positions. In one arrangement, the rotation of the switch drum  1500  may be linked to the axial advancement of the closure tube or closure member. Thus, in essence, actuation of the closure system may operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with the firing drive system in the various manners described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of each being hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, when the closure tube is in its proximal-most position corresponding to a “jaws open” position, the closure tube segment  3010  will have positioned the switch drum  1500  so as to link the articulation system with the firing drive system. When, the closure tube has been moved to its distal position corresponding to a “jaws closed” position, the closure tube has rotated the switch drum  1500  to a position wherein the articulation system is delinked from the firing drive system. 
     As also illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly  1200  can comprise a slip ring assembly  1600  which can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from the end effector  1300  and/or communicate signals to and/or from the end effector  1300 , for example. The slip ring assembly  1600  can comprise a proximal connector flange  1604  that is mounted to a chassis flange  1242  that extends from the chassis  1240  and a distal connector flange that is positioned within a slot defined in the shaft housings. The proximal connector flange  1604  can comprise a first face and the distal connector flange can comprise a second face which is positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. The distal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connector flange  1604  about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange  1604  can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantially concentric, conductors defined in the first face thereof. A connector can be mounted on the proximal side of the connector flange and may have a plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is in electrical contact with one of the conductors. Such an arrangement permits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange  1604  and the distal connector flange while maintaining electrical contact therebetween. The proximal connector flange  1604  can include an electrical connector  1606  which can place the conductors in signal communication with a shaft circuit board  1610  mounted to the shaft chassis  1240 , for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harness comprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electrical connector  1606  and the shaft circuit board  1610 . The electrical connector  1606  may extend proximally through a connector opening  1243  defined in the chassis mounting flange  1242 . See  FIG. 4 . Further details regarding slip ring assembly  1600  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, for example. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties. 
     As discussed above, the shaft assembly  1200  can include a proximal portion which is fixably mounted to the handle  1014  and a distal portion which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly  1600 , as discussed above. The distal connector flange of the slip ring assembly  1600  can be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum  1500  can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connector flange and the switch drum  1500  can be rotated synchronously with one another. In addition, the switch drum  1500  can be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to the distal connector flange. When the switch drum  1500  is in its first position, the articulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may not articulate the end effector  1300  of the shaft assembly  1200 . When the switch drum  1500  is in its second position, the articulation drive system may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector  1300  of the shaft assembly  1200 . When the switch drum  1500  is moved between its first position and its second position, the switch drum  1500  is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, the shaft assembly  1200  can comprise at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switch drum  1500 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the chassis  1240  includes at least one, and preferably two, tapered attachment portions  1244  formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots  1702  formed within a distal attachment flange portion  1700  of the frame  1020 . See  FIG. 3 . Each dovetail slot  1702  may be tapered or, stated another way, be somewhat V-shaped to seatingly receive the attachment portions  1244  therein. As can be further seen in  FIG. 22 , a shaft attachment lug  1226  is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft  1222 . As will be discussed in further detail below, when the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  is coupled to the handle  1014 , the shaft attachment lug  1226  is received in a firing shaft attachment cradle  1126  formed in the distal end  1125  of the longitudinal drive member  1120 . See  FIG. 3 . 
     Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system  1710  for removably coupling the shaft assembly  1200  to the housing  1012  and more specifically to the frame  1020 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , for example, in at least one form, the latch system  1710  includes a lock member or lock yoke  1712  that is movably coupled to the chassis  1240 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke  1712  has a U-shape with two spaced downwardly extending legs  1714 . The legs  1714  each have a pivot lug  1715  formed thereon that are adapted to be received in corresponding holes  1245  formed in the chassis  1240 . Such arrangement facilitates pivotal attachment of the lock yoke  1712  to the chassis  1240 . The lock yoke  1712  may include two proximally protruding lock lugs  1716  that are configured for releasable engagement with corresponding lock detents or grooves  1704  in the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 . See  FIG. 3 . In various forms, the lock yoke  1712  is biased in the proximal direction by spring or biasing member (not shown). Actuation of the lock yoke  1712  may be accomplished by a latch button  1722  that is slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly  1720  that is mounted to the chassis  1240 . The latch button  1722  may be biased in a proximal direction relative to the lock yoke  1712 . As will be discussed in further detail below, the lock yoke  1712  may be moved to an unlocked position by biasing the latch button the in distal direction which also causes the lock yoke  1712  to pivot out of retaining engagement with the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 . When the lock yoke  1712  is in “retaining engagement” with the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020 , the lock lugs  1716  are retainingly seated within the corresponding lock detents or grooves  1704  in the distal attachment flange  1700 . 
     When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an end effector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fasten tissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable to prevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly from the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, in use the clinician may actuate the closure trigger  1032  to grasp and manipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the target tissue is positioned within the end effector  1300  in a desired orientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger  1032  to close the anvil  1306  and clamp the target tissue in position for cutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system  1030  has been fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the end effector  1300 , it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachment of the shaft assembly  1200  from the housing  1012 . One form of the latch system  1710  is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment. 
     As can be most particularly seen in  FIG. 4 , the lock yoke  1712  includes at least one and preferably two lock hooks  1718  that are adapted to contact corresponding lock lug portions  1256  that are formed on the closure shuttle  1250 . When the closure shuttle  1250  is in an unactuated position (i.e., the first drive system  1030  is unactuated and the anvil  1306  is open), the lock yoke  1712  may be pivoted in a distal direction to unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  from the housing  1012 . When in that position, the lock hooks  1718  do not contact the lock lug portions  1256  on the closure shuttle  1250 . However, when the closure shuttle  1250  is moved to an actuated position (i.e., the first drive system  1030  is actuated and the anvil  1306  is in the closed position), the lock yoke  1712  is prevented from being pivoted to an unlocked position. Stated another way, if the clinician were to attempt to pivot the lock yoke  1712  to an unlocked position or, for example, the lock yoke  1712  was in advertently bumped or contacted in a manner that might otherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks  1718  on the lock yoke  1712  will contact the lock lugs  1256  on the closure shuttle  1250  and prevent movement of the lock yoke  1712  to an unlocked position. 
     Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  to the handle  1014  will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinician may position the chassis  1240  of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange  1700  of the frame  1020  such that the tapered attachment portions  1244  formed on the chassis  1240  are aligned with the dovetail slots  1702  in the frame  1020 . The clinician may then move the shaft assembly  1200  along an installation axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat the attachment portions  1244  in “operable engagement” with the corresponding dovetail receiving slots  1702 . In doing so, the shaft attachment lug  1226  on the intermediate firing shaft  1222  will also be seated in the cradle  1126  in the longitudinally movable drive member  1120  and the portions of pin  1037  on the second closure link  1038  will be seated in the corresponding hooks  1252  in the closure yoke  1250 . As used herein, the term “operable engagement” in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with each other so that upon application of an actuation motion thereto, the components may carry out their intended action, function and/or procedure. 
     At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly  1200  can be operably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle  1014 . A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/or aligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly  1200  with the frame  1020  of the handle  1014 . Another system can comprise a closure drive system  1030  which can operably connect the closure trigger  1032  of the handle  1014  and the closure tube  1260  and the anvil  2000  of the shaft assembly  1200 . As outlined above, the closure tube attachment yoke  1250  of the shaft assembly  1200  can be engaged with the pin  1037  on the second closure link  1038 . Another system can comprise the firing drive system  1080  which can operably connect the firing trigger  1130  of the handle  1014  with the intermediate firing shaft  1222  of the shaft assembly  1200 . As outlined above, the shaft attachment lug  1226  can be operably connected with the cradle  1126  of the longitudinal drive member  1120 . Another system can comprise an electrical system which can signal to a controller in the handle  1014 , such as microcontroller, for example, that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly  1200 , for example, has been operably engaged with the handle  1014  and/or, two, conduct power and/or communication signals between the shaft assembly  1200  and the handle  1014 . For instance, the shaft assembly  1200  can include an electrical connector  1810  that is operably mounted to the shaft circuit board  1610 . The electrical connector  1810  is configured for mating engagement with a corresponding electrical connector  1800  on the handle control board  1100 . Further details regaining the circuitry and control systems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,142, the entire disclosures of each which were previously incorporated by reference herein. The fifth system may consist of the latching system for releasably locking the shaft assembly  1200  to the handle  1014 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the anvil  2000  in the illustrated example includes an anvil body  2002  that terminates in anvil mounting portion  2010 . The anvil mounting portion  2010  is movably or pivotably supported on the elongate channel  1310  for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed anvil pivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In the illustrated arrangement, a pivot member or anvil trunnion  2012  extends laterally out of each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion  2010  to be received in a corresponding trunnion cradle  1316  formed in the upstanding walls  1315  of the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . The anvil trunnions  2012  are pivotally retained in their corresponding trunnion cradle  1316  by the channel cap or anvil retainer  1290 . The channel cap or anvil retainer  1290  includes a pair of attachment lugs that are configured to be retainingly received within corresponding lug grooves or notches formed in the upstanding walls  1315  of the proximal end portion  1312  of the elongate channel  1310 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 , in at least one arrangement, the distal closure member or end effector closure tube  3050  employs two axially offset, proximal and distal positive jaw opening features  3060  and  3062 . In  FIG. 7 , the proximal positive jaw opening feature  2060  is located on the right side (as viewed by a user of the tool assembly) of the shaft axis SA. The positive jaw opening features  3060 ,  3062  are configured to interact with corresponding relieved areas  3064 ,  3066  and stepped portions formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010  as described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, filed Jun. 28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, the entire disclosure which has been herein incorporated by reference. Other jaw opening arrangements may be employed. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate one form of an anvil  2000  that includes an elongate anvil body portion  2002  that terminates in an mounting portion  2010  that is configured to interact with the end effector closure sleeve  3050  to minimize the amount of resultant forces experienced by the end effector closure tube  3050  as the anvil  2000  is moved from a fully open position to a closed position and ultimately an over-closed position. The anvil body portion  2002  includes a staple-forming undersurface  2004  that has a series of anvil forming pockets (not shown) formed therein. An elongate slot  2006  extends through the body portion  2002  and the mounting portion  2010  to facilitate passage of the knife portion or “firing member”  1920  therethrough. In addition, an anvil cover  2030  is attached to the anvil body  2002  to cover the slot  2006 . In various circumstances, the anvil mounting portion  2010  comprises anvil cam surface  2020  formed thereon. The anvil cam surface  2020  is bisected or otherwise split by the elongate slot  2006 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cover  2030  is oriented at an angle that corresponds to the angle/orientation of the anvil cam surfaces  2020 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the anvil  2000  in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the distal or end effector closure tube  3050  is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000  is in its fully open position. When in that position, a cam surface  3072  formed on the distal end  3070  of the end effector closure tube  3050  is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 . As the end effector closure tube  3050  is moved distally, the cam surface  3072  on the end effector closure tube  3050  contacts the cam closure surfaces  2020  on the anvil mounting portion  2010  and a corresponding closure surface  2034  on the proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cover  2030  to pivot the anvil  2000  into a “closed” position.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the positions of the end effector closure tube  3050  and the anvil  2000  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. 
     As the end effector closure tube  3050  continues to be advanced distally to apply additional closure motions to the anvil to ultimately move the anvil to an “over-closed” position, the end effector closure tube may experience significant stress which may, overtime, cause the end effector closure tube to become elongated vertically (when viewed from an end) or, stated another way, become somewhat oval in shape which may ultimately lead to failure or otherwise detrimentally effect the ability to attain a fully closed position. It is axiomatic that when a thin-walled tube or cylinder is subjected to internal pressure, a “hoop” and longitudinal stress are produced in the wall of the tube. This hoop stress is acting circumferential and perpendicular to the axis and radius of the cylinder wall. Such hoop stress may be calculated as:
         σ h =pd/(2t), where:   σ h =hoop stress (MPa, psi)   p=internal pressure in the tube or cylinder (MPa, psi)   d=internal diameter of tube or cylinder (mm, in)   t=tube or cylinder wall thickness (mm, in)
 
End effector closure tubes with various tube wall configurations have been developed. Examples of such tube configurations are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, filed Dec. 21, 2016, entitled CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
       

       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 . The closure tube  3050  comprises an external surface  3074  and an internal wall surface  3076 . In at least one form, the closure tube  3050  comprises a constant internal diameter ID and a constant external diameter OD to define a wall thickness CT that is uniform or constant throughout a length of the closure tube  3050  or at least the portion of the closure tube that is configured to interface with the end effector jaws such as the anvil  2000  and the elongate channel  1310 . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 12 , in at least one arrangement, when the anvil  2000  is in the “closed position”, a clearance distance “CD” may be observed between the staple-forming underside  2004  of the anvil body  2002  and the cartridge deck surface of a cartridge that is supported within the elongate channel  1310  when no tissue is clamped between the anvil  2000  and the cartridge.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12  across the closure cam surfaces  2020  as well as through a distal end portion of the end effector closure tube  3050  as well as the anvil mounting portion  2020  and the proximal end portion of the elongate channel  1310 . As can be seen in that Figure, various closure forces CF are applied to the anvil  2000  and elongate channel  1310  by the end effector closure tube  3050 . For example, closure forces CF are applied onto the closure cam surfaces  2020  and the proximal end portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030  as well as onto the elongate channel  1310 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 6-15 , the anvil mounting portion  2020  is formed to establish a plurality of discrete load transfer locations that are configured to be contacted by the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050  when the end effector closure tube  3050  is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the anvil  2000 . In at least one arrangement, at least two discrete load transfer locations are located on each side of a vertical plane VP that bisects the anvil  2000  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. For example, in  FIG. 13 , a first right load transfer location or edge  2070 R, a second right load transfer location or edge  2072 R, a third right load transfer location or edge  2074 R and a fourth right load transfer location or edge  2076 R are formed on a right side of the vertical plane VP. Similarly, a first left load transfer location or edge  2070 L, a second left load transfer location or edge  2072 L, a third left load transfer location or edge  2074 L and a fourth left load transfer location or edge  2076 L are formed on a left side of the vertical plane VP. As used in this context, the term “at least two discrete load transfer locations” means that the load transfer locations are formed relative to each other so that a space or clearance is formed between the portion of the anvil mounting portion  2010  extending between the load transfer locations and the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . 
     For example, a first amount of clearance CR 1  is formed between the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube  3050  extending between the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the second right load transfer location  2072 R. A second amount of clearance CR 2  is formed between the inner surface of the end effector closure tube  3050  extending between the third right load transfer location  2072 R and the third right load transfer location  2074 R. A third amount of clearance CR 3  is formed between the third right load transfer location  2074 R and the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R. A first amount of clearance CL 1  is formed between the inner surface of the end effector closure tube extending between the first left load transfer location  2070 L and the second left load transfer location  2072 L. A second amount of clearance CL 2  is formed between the inner surface  3076  of the end effector closure tube extending between the second left load transfer location  2072 L and the third left load transfer location  2074 L. A third amount of clearance CL 3  is formed between the third left load transfer location  2074 L and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L. In at least one arrangement, the closure forces CF applied to the closure cam surfaces  2020 , as well as the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030  may be evenly distributed between the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the first left load transfer location  2070 L. Likewise, the closure forces CF applied to the elongate channel  1310  may be evenly distributed between the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L, for example. 
     In at least one arrangement, at least two right load transfer locations  2070 R,  2072 R and at least two left load transfer locations  2070 L,  2072 L are located on one side of a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector  1300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the two right load transfer locations  2070 R,  2072 R are located on an opposite side of vertical plane VP from the two left load transfer locations  2070 L,  2072 L. Also in at least one arrangement, the third right load transfer location  2074 R and the fourth right load transfer location  2076 R are located on an opposite side of the horizontal plane HP from the first right load transfer location  2070 R and the second right load transfer location  2072 R. Similarly, third left load transfer location  2074 L and the fourth left load transfer location  2076 L are located on a opposite side of the horizontal plane HP from the first left load transfer location  2070 L and the second left load transfer location  2072 L. The right load transfer locations  2074 R,  2076 R are located on an opposite side of vertical plane VP from the two left load transfer locations  2074 L,  2076 L. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the load transfer locations may be formed by scalloped or relieved areas  2080 ,  2082 ,  2084  so that the load transfer locations comprise corners formed from adjoining surfaces. Other load transfer location shapes are contemplated. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the anvil  2000  and the end effector closure tube  3050  in an “over-closed” state that is created as the end effector closure tube  3050  is advanced further distally after the anvil  2000  has attained the closed position. In at least one example, the anvil  2000  is in an “over-closed state” when a distal end portion  2003  of the body portion  2002  of the anvil  2000  is in contact with the cartridge deck of the staple cartridge that is operably supported with the elongate channel  1310 . See  FIG. 14 . Continued distal advancement of the end effector closure tube  3050  after the anvil  2000  has attained the closed position may significantly increase the hoop stress formed in the end effector closure tube  3050  which may cause the end effector closure tube to effectually fail or vertically elongate which can detrimentally effect the proper closure of the anvil when used in future applications. As be seen in  FIG. 15 , the first right amount of clearance CR 1  and the first left amount of clearance CL 1  may each have a clearance width CW 1  that is located on a common side of the horizontal plane HP. The second right amount of clearance CR 2 , and the second left amount of clearance CL 2  each span across the horizontal plane HP. Stated another way, portions of the second right amount of clearance CR 2  are located on each side of the horizontal plane HP and portions of the second left amount of clearance CL 2  are located on each side of the horizontal plane HP. 
     Forming at least two discrete load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. By forming at least three load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may further reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. Forming at least four load transfer locations located on each side of the vertical plane may further reduce the amount of detrimental hoop stresses established in the end effector closure tube  3050  as it is distally moved into the over-closed position. Such arrangements therefor enable the end effector closure tube  3050  to be made with a constant wall thickness as described above, which may reduce the amount of manufacturing costs associated with manufacturing the end effector closure tube. 
       FIGS. 16-22  illustrate an alternative anvil  2000 ′ that is substantially identical to anvil  2000  described above expect for the differences discussed below. As can be seen in  FIG. 16 , the anvil mounting portion  2010 ′ is formed with continuous arcuate anvil camming surfaces  2020 ′ that are not interrupted by any load transfer locations.  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate the anvil  2000 ′ in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000 ′ is in its fully open position. When in that position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 ′. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 ′ that may be identical to the end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences noted below. The end effector closure tube  3050 ′ comprises an external surface  3074 ′ and an internal wall surface  3076 ′. In at least one form, the closure tube  3050 ′ has a constant wall thickness WT 1  except for a segment A s  of the wall located at the top of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′that has a thicker wall thickness WT 2  that is greater than WT 1 . Such arrangement forms a single load transfer location  2070 ′. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate the positions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the anvil  2000 ′ when the anvil  2000 ′ is in the closed position. As can be seen in  FIG. 20 , as the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ is moved distally, the load transfer location  2070 ′ on the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ contacts the cam surface  2034  on the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030 . The end effector closure tube  3050 ′ also contacts portions of the elongate channel  1310  on each side of the vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector. The load transfer location  2070 ′ may span across the entire cam surface  2034  to contact an upper portion of the cam surfaces  2020 ′ on each side of the vertical plane VP as shown in  FIG. 20 . When in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , such arrangement serves to form a space  3077  between the corresponding portions of the inner surface  3076 ′ of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the cam surfaces  2020 ′ of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ′ as shown in  FIG. 20 . The spaces  3077  each extend from the load transfer location  2070 ′ and the area wherein the inner surface  3076 ′ contacts the elongate channel  1310  (space distance S D ). Thus, when the anvil  2000 ′ is moved to a closed position, there is a discrete first load transfer location  2070 ′ located on one side of a horizontal plane HP and two discrete load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ locations located on an opposite side of the horizontal plane HP. The discrete first load transfer location  2070 ′ is separated from each of the discrete load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ by spaces  3077  when the anvil  2000 ′ is in the closed position. See  FIG. 20 . As can also be seen in  FIG. 20 , the load transfer locations  2072 R′,  2072 L′ are located on opposite sides of the vertical plane VP. 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate the interrelationship between the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ and the anvil  2000 ′ when the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ has moved the anvil  2000 ′ in an over-closed orientation. As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , when in the over-closed position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ′ contacts the anvil  2000 ′ and the elongate channel  1310  to form a discrete load transfer location  2070 ′ that is separated from discrete load transfer locations  2074 R′,  2074 L′ by spaces  3079 R,  3079 L. The discrete load transfer location  2074 R′ is separated by the discrete load transfer location  2076 R′ by a space  3081 R and the discrete load transfer location  2074 L′ is separated from a discrete load transfer location  2076 L′ by a space  3081 L. Thus, in this arrangement, at least one discrete load transfer location ( 2070 ′) spans a vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector and at least two discrete load transfer locations span a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector. In addition, at least one discrete load transfer location is located on each side of the horizontal plane HP and at least one discrete load transfer location is located on each side of the vertical plane VP. Such arrangement of load transfer locations in the above manner may help to prevent the vertical elongation of the end effector closure tube  3050 ′. 
       FIGS. 24-30  illustrate an alternative anvil  2000 ″ that is substantially identical to anvil  2000  described above expect for the differences discussed below. As can be seen in  FIG. 24 , the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″ is formed with an arcuate anvil camming surface  2020 ″ and right and left notched or recessed portions  2022 ″.  FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate the anvil  2000 ″ in a fully open position. As can be seen in  FIG. 24 , the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is in its proximal most position when the “second jaw” or anvil  2000 ″ is in its fully open position. When in that position, the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is not applying any closure forces to the cam closure surfaces  2020 ″.  FIG. 30  illustrates one form of an end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that may be identical to the end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences noted below. The end effector closure tube  3050 ″ comprises an external surface  3074 ″ and an internal wall surface  3076 ″. In at least one form, the closure tube  3050 ″ has a first wall thickness WT 1 , a second wall thickness WT 2 , a third wall thickness WT 3 , and a fourth wall thickness WT 4  that are arranged as shown in  FIG. 30 . In at least one arrangement, for example, WT 1 &lt;WT 2 &lt;WT 3 ≤WT 4 . In some cases, WT 3 &gt;WT 4.  The portion of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that has a wall thickness corresponding to WT 4  forms a load transfer location  2070 ″. In the illustrated arrangement, for example, the load transfer location  2070 ″ spans across a vertical plane VP that bisects the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. The portions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ that have a wall thickness WT 3  form load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″. In at least one arrangement as shown in  FIG. 30 , the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ span across a horizontal plane HP that bisects the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , as the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ is moved distally, the load transfer location  2070 ″ contacts the cam surface  2034  on the proximal portion  2032  of the anvil cap  2030 . The load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ also contact corresponding portions of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″. Also portions of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ form load transfer locations  2074 R″,  2074 L″ that contact corresponding portions of the elongate channel  1310  to move the anvil  2000 ″ to the closed position shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . When in the closed position shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , such arrangement serves to form a space  3077 ″,  3079 ″ between the corresponding portions of the inner surface  3076 ″ of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ and the cam surfaces  2020 ″ of the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″ as shown in  FIG. 27 . The spaces  3077 ″ are located between the load transfer location  2070 ″ and the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″. The spaces  3079 ″ are located between the load transfer locations  2072 R″,  2072 L″ and the load transfer locations  2074 R,  2074 L″ as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  illustrate the interrelationship between the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ and the anvil  2000 ″ when the end effector closure tube  3050 ″ has moved the anvil  2000 ″ into an over-closed orientation. As can be seen in  FIG. 29 , in addition to the load transfer locations  2070 ″,  2072 R″,  2072 L″,  2074 R″,  2074 L″, discrete load transfer locations  2076 R″,  2076 L″ are formed by the edge of the recessed portions  2022 ″formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010 ″. Such discrete load transfer locations  2076 R″,  2076 L″ are separated from the corresponding discrete load transfer locations  2072 R″.  2072 L″ by corresponding spaces  3081 ″. The provision of the discrete load transfer locations in the above manner may help to prevent the vertical elongation of the end effector closure tube  3050 ″. 
     When using an end effector  1300  of the type and construction described herein, a clinician manipulates the first and second jaws (the anvil  2000  and the elongate channel  1310  that has a surgical staple cartridge operably mounted therein), to capture the tissue to be cut and stapled (the “target tissue”) therebetween. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , for example, a surgical staple cartridge  4000  comprises a cartridge body  4010  that is configured to be removably supported within the elongate channel  1310 . The cartridge body  4010  includes an elongate cartridge slot  4016  that extends from a proximal end  4012  through the cartridge body  4010  to a distal end portion  4014  to enable the knife member or firing member  1920  to pass therethrough. The cartridge body  4010  further defines a cartridge deck surface  4020  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . A plurality of staple cavities  4022  are provided in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . Each cavity  4022  opens through the deck surface  4020  to removably support a surgical staple or staples therein. In at least one cartridge arrangement, three lines of staple cavities  4022  are provided on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . The lines are formed such that the staples in a center line are staggered relative to the staples in the two adjacent outer lines. The staples are supported on staple drivers that are movably supported within each staple cavity. In at least some arrangements, the staple drivers are arranged to be contacted or “fired” upward when contacted by a cam member or camming portions associated with the knife member  1920 , for example. In some arrangements, a wedge sled or camming sled is movably supported in the cartridge body and is adapted to be axially displaced through the cartridge body as the knife member  1920  is axially deployed through the cartridge from the proximal end portion  4012  to the distal end portion  4014  of the cartridge body  4010 . The wedge sled includes a camming member or wedge associated with each line of staple cavities so as to serially deploy the staple drivers supported therein. As the cam contacts a staple driver, the driver is driven upwardly within the staple cavity driving the staple or staples supported thereon out of the staple cavity through the clamped tissue and into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface of the anvil. The wedge sled or camming member is located distal to the knife or tissue cutting edge of the knife or firing member  1920 , so that the tissue is stapled prior to be severed by the tissue cutting edge. 
     When the clinician initially locates the target tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge, it is important that the target tissue be located so that the knife does not cut into the target tissue unless it is first stapled. In previous anvil arrangements, tissue stops are provided on the proximal end of the anvil body to prevent the target tissue from moving proximally past the proximal most staple pockets in the staple cartridge. Such tissue stops form abrupt proximal ends that confront or face the distal end of the end effector closure tube. As the closure tube is moved distally to close the anvil, tissue extending outward from between the anvil and the cartridge occasionally will become undesirably pinned or pinched between the proximal ends of the tissue stops and the distal end of the end effector closure tube. The examples disclosed below are configured to minimize the possibility of tissue being pinched between the tissue stops and the end effector closure tube when the anvil is being moved to the closed and over-closed positions in the various manners described herein. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , for example, the staple cartridge  4000  includes staples (not shown) that are removably supported or stored in each of the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P located in the lines of staple cavities  4022  located in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . In various circumstances, to prevent the target tissue from being clamped proximal to the staples in the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P, the anvil  2000  includes two tissue stop members  2040  that protrude downwardly past the staple-forming undersurface on each side of the anvil body. When the anvil is in a closed position or in an over-closed position, each of the tissue stop members  2040  protrude downwardly on each side of the cartridge body  4010 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the anvil  2000  in an open configuration. As can be seen in that Figure, each of the tissue stops  2040  extend below the cartridge deck surface to prevent the target tissue from extending proximally past the staples in the proximal most staple cavities  4022 P. As can be seen in  FIGS. 7, 31 and 32 , in at least one arrangement, the tissue stops  2040  are integrally formed with the anvil body portion  2002 . The anvil body portion  2002  and the proximal ends of the tissue stops  2040  extend slightly above the corresponding camming surfaces  2020  formed on the anvil mounting portion  2010 . In the illustrated example, the proximal ends of the tissue stops  2040  are segmented into an upper proximal end portion  2042 , a lower proximal end portion  2043  and a bottom proximal end portion  2044 . See  FIGS. 31 and 32 . As can also be seen in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , an angled surface or chamfer surface  2045  is formed between the upper proximal end portion  2042  and the camming surface  2020  on the anvil mounting portion. An angled surface or chamfer surface  2046  is formed between the lower proximal end portion  2043  and the camming surface  2020  and an angled surface or chamfer surface  2047  is formed between the bottom proximal end portion  2044  and the camming surface  2020 . In the illustrated arrangement wherein scalloped or relieved areas  2080 ,  2082 ,  2084  are formed in the anvil mounting portion  2010 , the chamfer  2045  corresponds to the relieved area  2080 . See  FIG. 33 . The lower proximal end portion  2043  and accompanying chamfer  2046  correspond to relieved area  2082  and the bottom proximal end portion  2044  and accompanying chamfer  2047  corresponds to relieved area  2084 . 
     As discussed above, the anvil  2000  is moved from a fully open position to the closed position and an over-closed position by the axially movable end effector closure tube  3050 .  FIGS. 31 and 33  illustrate the position of the end effector closure tube  3050  relative to the tissue stops  2040  when the anvil  2000  is in the closed position. As can be seen in  FIG. 33 , the upper proximal end portion  2042  and accompanying chamfer  2045  are approximately parallel to a corresponding portion of a distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . To reduce a possibility of tissue being inadvertently pinched between the tissue stops  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 , the lower proximal end portion  2043  and the bottom proximal end portion  2044  of the tissue stop  2040  and the corresponding chamfers  2046  and  2047  angle away from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . This arrangement has the practical effect of increasing a distance between the portion of the tissue stop and the end effector closure tube that may most likely encounter adjacent tissue. 
       FIG. 33  is an enlarged view of a portion of the end effector depicted in  FIG. 31  wherein the anvil  2000  is in a closed position. When in that position, the upper proximal end portion  2042  of each tissue stops  2040  is located a first tissue distance TD 1  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . The bottom proximal end portion  2044  of each tissue stop  2040  is located a second tissue distance TD 2  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050 . As can be seen in that Figure, TD 2 &gt;TD 1 .  FIGS. 32 and 34  depict the anvil  2000  in an over-closed position. The first tissue distance TD 1 ′ between the upper proximal end portion  2042  of each tissue stop  2040  is still slightly less than the second tissue distance TD 2 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  2044  of each tissue stop  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050  which will still reduce the likelihood of tissue pinch therebetween. In at least one example, TD 2  and/or TD 2 ′ may be approximately ten thousands of an inch to approximately twenty-five thousands of an inch. However, other gaps may be attained. Also, the inclusion of the chamfered surfaces  2045 ,  2046  and  2047  may help to lessen the likelihood of pinching tissue between the tissue stops  2040  and the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  3050  when the anvil  200  is moved to the closed and over-closed positions. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described tissue stop configurations will also work with other forms of end effector closure tube and closure member arrangements. 
       FIGS. 35-38  illustrate another anvil embodiment  5000  that is identical to anvil  2000  described above except for the differences relating to tissue stops  5040 . Tissue stops  5040  may be identical to tissue stops  2040  except that proximal end portions  5042 ,  5043 ,  5044  of each tissue stop and the accompanying chamfer surfaces  5045 ,  5046 ,  5047  are approximately parallel to the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030 . End effector closure tube  5050  may otherwise be identical to end effector closure tube  3050  described above, except for the differences discussed below.  FIGS. 35 and 36  illustrate the anvil  5000  in the closed position. In this arrangement, an area that may otherwise be susceptible to pinching tissue is the edge of the bottom proximal end portion  5044  and the confronting portion of the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . To alleviate and minimize such possibility, a relieved area  5060  is formed in the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030  that confronts or, stated another way, is opposite from the bottom proximal end  5044  of each of the tissue stops  5040 . In the illustrated example, each relieved area  5060  comprises an arcuate notch  5062  that is formed in the portion of the distal end  5031  of the end effector closure tube  5030  corresponding to the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040 . In the illustrated arrangements, for example, the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each of the tissue stops  5040  terminates in a bottom corner  5070  and the apex or bottom  5064  is directly across from the bottom corner  5070  when the end effector closure tube  5050  is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the anvil  5000 . Other notch shapes, however, may be employed. 
       FIG. 36  is an enlarged view of a portion of the end effector depicted in  FIG. 35  wherein the anvil  5000  is in a closed position. When in that position, the upper proximal end portion  5042 , the lower proximal end portion  5043  and the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  are located a first tissue distance TD 1  from the distal end  3051  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . The bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  is located a second tissue distance TD 2  from the apex or bottom  5064  of the notch  5062  in the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050 . As can be seen in that Figure, TD 2 &gt;TD 1 .  FIGS. 37 and 38  depict the anvil  5000  in an over-closed position. The first tissue distance TD 1 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  5040  is still less than the second tissue distance TD 2 ′ between the bottom proximal end portion  5044  of each tissue stop  2040  and the apex  5064  of the corresponding notch  5062  in the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050  which will still reduce the likelihood of tissue pinch therebetween. Also, the inclusion of the chamfered surfaces  5045 ,  5046  and  5047  may help to lessen the likelihood of pinching tissue between the tissue stops  5040  and the distal end  5051  of the end effector closure tube  5050  when the anvil  5000  is moved to the closed and over-closed positions. The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described tissue stop configurations will also work with other forms of end effector closure tube and closure member arrangements. 
       FIG. 39  illustrates a previous surgical staple cartridge  4000  that includes a cartridge body  4010  that is configured to be removably supported within the elongate channel  1310 . The cartridge body  4010  includes an elongate cartridge slot  4016  that extends from a proximal end  4012  through the cartridge body  4010  to a distal end portion  4014  to enable the knife member or firing member  1920  ( FIG. 5 ) to pass therethrough. The cartridge body  4010  further defines a cartridge deck surface  4020  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . See  FIG. 39 . A plurality of staple cavities  4022  are provided in the cartridge body  4010  on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . Each cavity  4022  opens through the deck surface  4020  to removably support a surgical staple or staples therein. In at least one cartridge arrangement, three lines of staple cavities  4022  are provided on each side of the elongate slot  4016 . In the illustrated example, the lines are formed such that the staples in a center line are staggered relative to the staples in the two adjacent outer lines. The staples are supported on staple drivers that are movably supported within each staple cavity. In at least some arrangements, the staple drivers are arranged to be contacted or “fired” upward when contacted by a cam member or camming portions associated with the knife member  1920 , for example. In some arrangements, a “wedge” sled or camming sled is movably supported in the cartridge body  4010  and is adapted to be axially displaced through the cartridge body  4010  as the knife member  1920  is axially deployed through the cartridge from the proximal end portion  4012  to the distal end portion  4014  of the cartridge body  4010 . The wedge sled includes a camming member or “wedge” associated with each line of staple cavities so as to serially deploy the staple drivers supported therein. As the corresponding wedge or cam contacts a staple driver, the driver is driven upwardly within the staple cavity thereby driving the staple or staples supported thereon out of the staple cavity through the clamped tissue and into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface of a confronting anvil of the end effector. The wedge sled or camming member is located distal to the knife or tissue cutting edge of the knife or firing member  1920 , so that the tissue is stapled prior to being severed by the tissue cutting edge on the knife or firing member. 
     Variations to the arrangement and/or geometry of staples in a staple line can affect the flexibility and sealing properties of the staple line. For example, a staple line comprised of linear aligned staples can provide a limited amount of flexibility or stretch because the staple line can flex or stretch between the linear staples. Consequently, a limited portion of the staple line (e.g., the portion between staples) is flexible. A staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples can also flex or stretch between the staples. However, the angularly-oriented staples are also able to rotate, which provides an additional degree of stretch within the staple line. A staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples may be capable of stretching in excess of 60%, for example. In certain instances, a staple line comprised of angularly-oriented staples can stretch at least 25% or at least 50%, for example. The arrangement of staples includes the relative orientation of the staples and the spacing between the staples, for example. The geometry of the staples includes the size and shape of the staples, for example. The flexibility and sealing properties of a staple line can change at longitudinal and/or lateral positions based on the arrangement and/or geometry of the staples. In certain instances, it is desirable to alter the flexibility and/or sealing properties of a staple line at one or more locations along the staple line. For example, it can be desirable to maximize the flexibility of the staple line or a portion thereof. Additionally or alternatively, it can be desirable to minimize the flexibility of the staple line or a portion thereof. It can also be desirable to maximize the sealing properties of the staple line or a portion thereof. Additionally or alternatively, it can be desirable to minimize the sealing properties of the staple line or a portion thereof. 
     The arrangement of staple cavities in a staple cartridge corresponds to the arrangement of staples in a staple line generated by the staple cartridge. For example, the spacing and relative orientation of staple cavities in a staple cartridge corresponds to the spacing and relative orientation of staples in a staple line generated by the staple cartridge. In various instances, a staple cartridge can include an arrangement of staples cavities that is selected and/or designed to optimize the flexibility and/or sealing properties of the resultant staple line. A surgeon may select a staple cartridge having a particular arrangement of staple cavities based on the surgical procedure to be performed and/or the properties of the tissue to be treated during the surgical procedure, for example. 
     In certain instances, it can be desirable to generate a staple line with different staple patterns. A staple line can include a first pattern of staples for a first portion thereof and a second pattern of staples for a second portion thereof. The first pattern and the second pattern can be longitudinally offset. For example, the first pattern can be positioned at the proximal or distal end of the staple line. In other instances, the first pattern and the second pattern can be laterally offset and, in still other instances, the first pattern and the second pattern can be laterally offset and longitudinally offset. A staple line can include at least two different patterns of staples. 
     In certain instances, the majority of staples in a staple line can form a major pattern and other staples in the staple line can form one or more minor patterns. The major pattern can span a significant portion of the staple line and can include a longitudinally-repetitive sub-pattern. In certain instances, the minor pattern, or irregularity, can deviate from the major pattern. The minor pattern can be an anomaly at one or more locations along the length of the staple line, for example. The different patterns in a staple line can be configured to produce different properties at predefined locations. For example, the major pattern can be a highly flexible or elastic pattern, which can permit extensive stretching of the stapled tissue, and the minor pattern can be less flexible or less elastic. It can be desirable for the majority of the staple line to be highly flexible and for one or more limited portions to be less flexible, for example. In other instances, the minor pattern can be more flexible than the major pattern. In certain instances, because the minor pattern extends along a shorter portion of the staple line, the flexibility of the minor pattern may not impact, or may not significantly impact, the overall flexibility of the entire staple line. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,389, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168629, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses various staple cartridge and staple driver arrangements. U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,627, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINES, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses various cartridge an anvil arrangements for creating flexible lines of surgical staples. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 39 , the majority of the staple cavities  4022  in the cartridge  4000  are arranged in a first pattern, or major pattern,  4030 . The first pattern  4030  is a longitudinally-repetitive pattern of angularly-oriented staple cavities  4022 . Longitudinally-repetitive patterns are patterns in which a sub-pattern or arrangement is longitudinally repeated. For example, an arrangement of three staple cavities on each side of the slot  4016  (an inner staple cavity, an intermediate staple cavity, and an outer staple cavity) can be repeated along at least a portion of the length of the staple cartridge body  4010 . Various longitudinally-repetitive patterns of angularly-oriented staples cavities are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,145, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0089142, entitled METHOD FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The openings  4024  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  form a herringbone pattern having six rows of angularly-oriented staple cavity openings  4024  in the cartridge deck surface  4020 . An inner row  4026   a,  an intermediate row  4026   b,  and an outer row  4026   c  of staple cavities  4022  are positioned on each side of the slot  4016 . 
     Each staple cavity opening  4024  has a proximal end  4027  and a distal end  4028 . The proximal end  4027  and the distal end  4028  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  are laterally offset. Stated differently, each staple cavity  4022  in the first pattern  4030  is angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. A cavity axis CA extends between the proximal end  4027  and the distal end  4028  of each opening  4024 . The cavity axes CA are obliquely oriented relative to the slot  4016 . More specifically, the openings  4024  in the inner rows  4026   a  of staple cavities  4022  and the outer rows  4026   c  of staple cavities  4022  are oriented at 45 degrees, or about 45 degrees, relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA, and the openings  4024  in the intermediate rows  4026   b  of staple cavities  4022  are oriented at 90 degrees, or about 90 degrees, relative to the openings  4024  of the inner rows  4026   a  and the outer rows  4026   c.    
     In the example of  FIG. 39 , certain staple cavities in the cartridge body  4010  are oriented at an angle that is anomalous or irregular with respect to the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . More specifically, the angular orientation of proximal staple cavities  4022   a ,  4022   b,    4022   c,  and  4022   d  and distal staples cavities  4022   e,    4022   f,    4022   g,  and  4022   h  does not conform to the herringbone arrangement of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . Rather, the proximal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   d  and the distal staple cavities  4022   e - 4022   h  are angularly offset from the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The proximal staple cavities  4022   a,    4022   b,    4022   c,  and  4022   d  are obliquely oriented relative to the staples cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 , and the distal staple cavities  4022   e,    4022   f,    4022   g,  and  4022   h  are also obliquely oriented relative to the staples cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The proximal and distal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   h  are oriented parallel to the slot  4016  and to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. 
     The proximal staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   d  form a proximal pattern  4040  that is distinct from the first pattern  4030 , and the distal staple cavities  4022   e - 4022   h  form a distal pattern  4042  that is also distinct from the first pattern  4030 . In the depicted arrangement, the proximal pattern  4040  includes a first pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   a,    4022   b  on a first side of the slot  4016  and a second pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   c,    4022   d  on a second side of the longitudinal slot  4016 . The distal pattern  4042  also includes a first pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   e,    4022   f  on the first side of the longitudinal slot  4016  and a second pair of parallel, longitudinally-aligned staple cavities  4022   g,    4022   h  on the second side of the longitudinal slot  4016 . In other instances, the distal pattern  4042  can be different from the proximal pattern  4040 . 
     The proximal pattern  4040  and the distal pattern  4042  are symmetric relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. In other instances, the proximal pattern  4040  and/or the distal pattern  4042  can be asymmetric relative to the longitudinal staple cartridge axis SCA. For example, the staple cavities  4022   e  and  4022   f  can be longitudinally offset from the staple cavities  4022   g  and  4022   h  and/or the staple cavities  4022   a  and  4022   b  can be longitudinally offset from the staple cavities  4022   c  and  4022   d.  Additionally or alternatively, in certain instances, the staple cartridge body  4010  can include either the proximal pattern  4040  or the distal pattern  4042 . In other instances, the staple cavities  4022  defined in the staple cartridge body  4010  can include additional and/or different patterns of staple cavities  4022 . 
     As can be further seen in  FIG. 39 , atraumatic extenders  4050  extend or protrude from the deck surface  4020  around a portion of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The atraumatic extenders  4050  surround the proximal and distal ends  4027  and  4028 , respectively, of the openings  4024  of the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030 . The atraumatic extenders  4050  may be configured to grip tissue that is clamped by the end effector. Additionally or alternatively, in certain instances, the tips of the staple legs can protrude from the cartridge body  4010 . In such instances, the atraumatic extenders  4050  may be configured to extend flush with and/or beyond the tips of the staple legs to prevent the tips from prematurely penetrating tissue. Consequently, larger staples, e.g., staples having longer legs, can be positioned in the staple cavities  4022  having atraumatic extenders  4050  positioned therearound. For example, referring again to  FIG. 39 , larger staples can be positioned in the staple cavities  4022  in the first pattern  4030  than the staples in the staple cavities in the proximal pattern  4040  and the distal pattern  4042  without risking premature piercing of tissue by the longer staple legs. In certain instances, atraumatic extenders  4050  can be positioned around staples cavities  4022  in the proximal pattern  4040  and/or the distal pattern  4042 , and larger staples can be positioned in one of more of those staple cavities  4022   a - 4022   h,  as well. 
     The staple cartridge body  4010  can be configured to generate a staple line having different properties along the length thereof. A staple line  4060  generated by the staple cartridge body  4010  and embedded in tissue T is depicted in  FIG. 40 . The staple line  4060  is comprised of staples  4062 , and an exemplary staple  4062  for use with various staple cartridges described herein is depicted in  FIG. 41 . The staple  4062  can be comprised of a bent wire, for example. The wire can have a diameter of 0.0079 inches, or approximately 0.0079 inches. In other instances, the wire can have a diameter of 0.0089 inches, or approximately 0.0089 inches. In still other instances, the wire can have a diameter of 0.0094, or approximately 0.0094 inches. In certain instances, the wire can have a diameter of less than 0.0079 inches or more than 0.0094 inches. The reader will appreciate that the diameter of the wire can dictate the diameter of the staple. The staple  4062  is a substantially U-shaped staple having a base  4064 , a first leg  4066  extending from a first end of the base  4064 , and a second leg  4068  extending from a second end of the base  4064 . The first leg  4066  is substantially parallel to the second leg  4068  and substantially perpendicular to the base  4064 . When implanted in tissue T, the angular orientation of the base  4064  corresponds to the angular orientation of the staple cavity opening  4024  from which the staple  4062  was fired. 
     Another exemplary staple  4070  that may be used with various staple cartridges described herein is depicted in  FIG. 42 . The staple  4070  is a substantially “V-shaped” staple having a base  4072 , a first leg  4074  extending from a first end of the base  4072 , and a second leg  4076  extending from a second end of the base  4072 . The first leg  4074  is obliquely oriented relative to the second leg  4076  and the base  4072 . When implanted in tissue T, the orientation of the base  4072  corresponds to the orientation of the staple cavity opening  4024  from which the staple  4070  was fired. The reader will appreciate that staples having different geometries can also be fired from the staple cartridges described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 40 , the staple line  4060  includes a first portion  4061 , a proximal portion  4063 , and a distal portion  4065 . The first portion  4061  is generated from the first pattern, or major pattern,  4030  and extends along a substantial portion of the staple line  4030 . Owing to the angular orientation of the staples  4062  in the first portion  4030 , the first portion  4061  is substantially flexible or compliant. For example, because the angularly-oriented staples  4062  can rotate within the stapled tissue T while minimizing trauma to the tissue T, the first portion  4061  is configured to stretch or extend longitudinally and/or laterally as the stapled tissue stretches. 
     The proximal portion  4063  is generated from the proximal pattern  4040  and forms the proximal end of the staple line  4060 . The distal portion  4065  is generated from the distal pattern  4042  and forms the distal end of the staple line  4060 . Owing to the parallel orientation of the staples  4062  in the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  of the staple line  4060 , the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  of the staple line  4060  can be less flexible than the first portion  4061 . However, the reduced flexibility of the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  may not impact, or not substantially impact, the overall flexibility of the staple line  4060 . Moreover, as described herein, the proximal portion  4063  and the distal portion  4065  may not extend adjacent to the cutline and, in certain instances, the proximal portion  4063  may be absent or missing from the staple line  4060 . 
     As described herein, staples are removably positioned in a staple cartridge and fired from the staple cartridge during use. In various instances, the staples can be driven out of staple cavities in the staple cartridge and into forming contact with an anvil. For example, a firing element can translate through the staple cartridge during a firing stroke to drive the staples from the staple cartridge toward an anvil. In certain instances, the staples can be supported by staple drivers and the firing element can lift the staple drivers to eject or remove the staples from the staple cartridge. 
     An anvil can include a staple-forming undersurface having staple-forming pockets defined therein. In certain instances, the staple-forming pockets can be stamped in the anvil. For example, the staple-forming pockets can be coined in a flat surface of the anvil. The reader will appreciate that certain features of the staple-forming pockets can be a deliberate consequence of a coining process. For example, a certain degree of rounding at corners and/or edges of the staple-forming produce can be an intentional result of the coining process. Such features can also be designed to better form the staples to their formed configurations, including staples that become skewed and/or otherwise misaligned during deployment. 
     Each staple in the staple cartridge can be aligned with a staple-forming pocket of the anvil. In other words, the arrangement of staple cavities and staples in a staple cartridge for an end effector can correspond or match the arrangement of staple-forming pockets in an anvil of the end effector. More specifically, the angular orientation of each staple cavity can match the angular orientation of the respective staple-forming pocket. For example, when the staple cavities are arranged in a herringbone pattern, the staple-forming pockets can also be arranged in a herringbone pattern. 
     When staples are driven from the staple cartridge and into forming contact with the anvil, the staples can be formed into a “fired” configuration. In various instances, the fired configuration can be a “B-form” configuration, in which the tips of the staple legs are bent toward the staple base or crown to form a capital letter B having symmetrical upper and lower loops. In other instances, the fired configuration can be a modified B-form, such as a skewed B-form configuration, in which at least a portion of a staple leg torques out of plane with the staple base, or an asymmetrical B-form configuration, in which the upper and lower loops of the capital letter B are asymmetric. Tissue can be captured or clamped within the formed staple. 
     The arrangement of staples and/or staple cavities in a staple cartridge can be configured to optimize the corresponding arrangement of staple-forming pockets in the forming surface of a complementary anvil. For example, the angular orientation and spacing of staples in a staple cartridge can be designed to optimize the forming surface of an anvil. In certain instances, the footprint of the staple-forming pockets in an anvil can be limited by the geometry of the anvil. In instances in which the staple-forming pockets are obliquely-oriented relative to a longitudinal axis, the width of the anvil can limit the size and spacing of the obliquely-oriented staple-forming pockets. For example, the width of an intermediate row of staple-forming pockets can define a minimum distance between a first row (e.g. an outer row) on one side of the intermediate row and a second row (e.g. an inner row) on the other side of the intermediate row. Moreover, the rows of staple-forming pockets are confined between an inside edge on the anvil, such as a knife slot, and an outside edge of the anvil. 
     In various instances, the pockets can be adjacently nested along a staple-forming undersurface of the anvil. For example, an intermediate pocket can be nested between an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The angular orientation of the pockets can vary row-to-row to facilitate the nesting thereof. For example, the staple-forming pockets in an inner row can be oriented at a first angle, the staple-forming pockets in an intermediate row can be oriented at a second angle, and the staple-forming pockets in an outer row can be oriented at a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle can be different, which can facilitate the close arrangement of the staple-forming pockets. 
     Referring again to the previous staple cartridge depicted in  FIG. 39  and other previous staple cartridges disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,627, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINES and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,145, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0089142, entitled METHOD FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE, the varying angles of the staples and the staple cavities in each row can be selected to optimize the nesting of the staple-forming pockets in a complementary anvil. For each such staple cartridge, a complementary anvil can be configured to have a corresponding arrangement of staple-forming pockets. Moreover, the staple-forming pockets in the complementary anvils can be larger than the staple cavities in an effort to facilitate the staple legs land or fall within the staple-forming pockets. For example, the staple legs may be biased outward, such as in the case of V-shaped staples (see  FIG. 42 ) and the larger footprint of the staple-forming pockets can catch the outwardly-biased staple legs during firing. In various instances, the staple-forming pockets can be 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches longer than the corresponding staple cavities and/or staples. Additionally or alternatively, the staple-receiving cups of each staple-forming pocket can be 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches wider than the corresponding staple cavities. In other instances, the difference in length and/or width can be less than 0.005 inches or more than 0.015 inches. 
     In instances in which the size of the staples varies within a staple cartridge, the size of the staple-forming pockets can corresponding vary within a complementary anvil. Varying the size of the staple-forming pockets can further facilitate the nesting thereof. For example, in instances in which staple-forming pockets in an intermediate row are shorter than the staple-forming pockets in an inner row or an outer row, the width of the intermediate row of staple-forming pockets can be reduced, which can minimize the requisite spacing between the inner row and the outer row. 
     The spacing of the staple-forming pockets can also be configured to optimize the nesting thereof. For example, the pockets arranged in an inner row can be longitudinally staggered relative to the pockets arranged in an outer row. Moreover, the pockets in the inner row can partially longitudinally overlap the pockets in the outer row. The pockets in an intermediate row can be longitudinally staggered relative to the pockets in the inner row and the pockets in the outer row. For example, the pockets in the intermediate row can be equidistantly longitudinally offset from the pockets in the outer row and the pockets in the inner row 
     Anvils that are configured for use in surgical stapling applications may be formed using various manufacturing techniques and methods. One previous manufacturing method for fabricating surgical stapler anvils comprises the process of “coining”. “Coining” is a form of precision stamping in which the anvil material is subjected to sufficiently high stress to induce plastic flow on the surface of the material. Coining is commonly accomplished using a gear driven press, a hydraulic press or a mechanical press. Coining typically requires higher tonnage presses than are typically used in conventional stamping processes because the workpiece is plastically deformed and not actually cut. Although coining has been an effective way to form staple-forming pockets in the staple-forming undersurface of an anvil, it can result in the creation of some undesirable characteristics in the finished anvil. 
     In various previous anvil fabrication methods where coining is employed, the anvil raw material, which may comprise a metal material such as stainless steel or the like, is typically initially extruded or rolled into an initial blank or body. The anvil body can then be machined using various conventional machining techniques so as to initially form planar forming surfaces on each size of an elongate slot formed in the body. Once the body has been machined so that the forming surfaces are flat, the forming pockets are then coined in the forming surfaces in a desired pattern. 
       FIG. 43  depicts a portion of a previous anvil  8300  in cross-section. This previous anvil comprises an anvil body  8310  that consists of left and right staple-forming undersurfaces  8330 L,  8330 R that are separated by an elongate slot  8326 . The anvil body portion  8310  may be extruded or rolled out of 304 stainless steel or similar material. The elongate slot  8326  and the anvil forming surfaces  8330 L,  8330 R are commonly machined flat prior to the formation of the staple-forming pockets  8360  therein. An anvil cover  8390 , which may be manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel, is welded to the body portion  8310  at joints  8392  with welds  8394 . FIG.  44  comprises a photograph taken using a scanning electron microscope of a weld joint  8392  of a previous anvil  8300  showing the different grain structures of the anvil body  8310  and anvil cover  8390  as well as of the weld  8394 . 
       FIG. 45  depicts a portion of the anvil  8300  in cross-section prior to the formation of the staple-forming pockets  8360  therein using a previous coining method. As can be seen in that Figure, a forming surface  8330 R has been machined flat on one side of the elongate slot  8326  that was also machined into the anvil body  8310  using conventional machining methods and techniques. The Figure illustrates a crystalline structure  8312  of the anvil body material prior to the coining operation. The desired final staple-forming pocket  8360  configuration is illustrated in phantom lines.  FIG. 46  illustrates the anvil body  8310  after the staple-forming pocket  8360  has been coined therein. The coining operation consists of striking the forming surface  8330  with a die (not shown) which results in high material displacement which leads to high material density (lines  8314 ) around the formed pocket  8360 .  FIG. 47  is a photograph of a cross-section of a portion of a previous anvil  8300  using a scanning electron microscope. The photograph illustrates the extensive grain deformation and occlusions formed below the pockets  8360  as a result of the coining process. 
       FIG. 48  is a photograph taken of a portion of the previous anvil body  8310  that is below a pocket  8360  after the coining process.  FIGS. 49 and 50  comprise photographs of the region below the coined pockets illustrating inclusions  8397  formed in the material. These elongate non-metallic inclusions  8397  are typically found in a wrought product. The directionality of the inclusions indicates that the material was rolled or extruded.  FIG. 51  comprises a higher magnification photograph of a portion of a previous anvil  8300  in an area that was not coined illustrating non-metallic inclusions  8398  and  8399  therein. 
     In addition to the previous coining process employed to form the previous anvil  8300 , once the forming pockets  8360  have been coined into the forming surfaces  8330 L,  8330 R, the forming surfaces  8330 L,  8330 R and pockets  8360  may be brushed and ultrasonically cleaned to remove any lubrication and debris resulting from the coining process.  FIG. 52  comprises a photograph of a portion of the previous anvil  8300  after the cleaning processes.  FIGS. 53 and 54  are photographs of bottom portions of one of the forming pockets  8360  showing some of the metal smearing  8361  that results from the coining process. As illustrated in  FIGS. 47-51 and 53 and 54 , the above-described previous method of anvil manufacturing may result in the formation of an anvil with undesirable inclusions in the anvil body which may weaken the anvil. Such process may also result in the formation of staple-forming pockets that have undesirably rough forming surfaces. 
       FIGS. 55-59  illustrate a method  8400  that may avoid some of the aforementioned problems commonly encountered when using previous anvil manufacturing methods. In at least one configuration, the method  8400  involves employing a process of metal injection molding (“MIM”) for forming an anvil body portion  8510  of an anvil  8500 . MIM is a metal working process in which finely-powdered metal is mixed with binder material to create a “feedstock” (action  8402 ) that is shaped and solidified into an anvil body  8510  using injection molding ( 8404 ). After molding ( 8404 ), the anvil body  8510  undergoes conditioning operations to remove the binder and to densify the powders (debinding- 8406 ). In at least one configuration, the MIM process is used to create an anvil body  8510  that has a plurality of “preliminary” staple-forming pocket configurations that have a “near net configuration” or a near net “geometry”, which differs from “final” desired pocket configuration or geometry. For example, a preliminary pocket configuration may have a similar shape as a final pocket configuration, but the final pocket configuration may comprise a larger and deeper void or pocket in the anvil body. 
     More specifically and with reference to  FIG. 56 , a portion of the anvil body  8510  is shown after the anvil body  8510  has been formed using the MIM process (for example—actions  8402 ,  8404 ,  8406 ). In at least one arrangement, the anvil body  8510  has been initially formed with a flat or planar staple-forming undersurface  8430  that has a plurality of staple-forming pockets  8560 P formed therein that each have a “near net” shape or geometry or a “pre-shape”. In the example illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 56 , a “pre-formed” pocket  8560 P includes a bottom surface  8532 P and two sloping side walls  8534 P. The sloping sidewalls  8534 P form a pocket opening that has a preliminary width “PW” (in cross-section). The bottom surface  8532 P is located a preliminary depth “PD” from the staple-forming undersurface  8530 . The desired final pocket shape  8360 F is illustrated in segmented lines in  FIG. 56 . Once the anvil body  8510  has been formed with the “pre-shaped” or “preliminary” pockets  8360 P, a coining process  8408  is employed to form the final forming pockets  8560 F therein. 
       FIG. 57  illustrates a final forming pocket  8560 F that has been formed into the anvil body  8510 . As can be seen in that Figure, the final forming pocket  8560 F includes a final bottom surface  8532 F and two sloping sidewalls  8534 F that define a pocket opening with a final width “FW”. The final bottom surface  8532 F is located a final depth “FD” from the forming surface  8530 . In the illustrated example, FW&gt;PW and FD&gt;PD. The cross-sectional shape of the forming pockets  8560 P,  8560 F depicted in  FIGS. 56 and 57  are for illustrative purposes only and should not be limiting. The shapes of the pockets may vary with a final forming pocket being larger than the preliminary or pre-shaped forming pocket. While the geometric shape of the final pocket  8560 F may be similar to the preformed pocket  8560 P geometry, the final pocket  8560 F will be larger than the preformed pocket  8560 P due to the coining process  8408 . In addition, the pre-surface finish  8536 P of the pre-formed pocket  8560 P as a result of the MIM processes  8402 .  8404 ,  8406 , may be different from the final surface finish  8536 F of the final pocket  8560 F as a result of the coining process  8408 . For example, the pre-surface finish  8536 P may be rougher than the final surface finish  8536 F.  FIG. 58  illustrates a preliminary or pre-shaped forming pocket  8560 P that has been preliminarily formed using the MIM process. As can be seen in that Figure, the surface finish  8536 P of the forming pocket  8560 P can be somewhat rougher than the final surface finish  8536 F of the final forming pocket  8560 F (shown in  FIG. 59 ) that is formed by the final coining process  8408 . Because the preliminary or pre-shaped forming pockets have a pre-shape, the coining process is performed with a lower force than is typically used in previous coining operations. Such lower coining force results in less material displacement and lower compression than is typically experienced when using previous coining operations. In an alternative method, the coining process may be replaced with a forging process. In this alternative method, for example, after the anvil body has been formed with previous or preformed forming pockets using the above-described MIM process, the anvil body may be heated while it is struck with a forging die that is configured to form the final forming pockets therein in manner described above. 
       FIGS. 60-64  illustrate an alternative use of the method  8400 ′ to form staple-forming pockets  8560 F′in the anvil body material  8510 . In this method  8400 ′, the preformed pocket configuration  8560 P′ is formed with a relatively final shape and size, except for the provision of a staple leg guidance groove also referred to as a “staple-forming path”  8570  therein. The staple-forming path  8570  is coined into the bottom surface  8532 P of the pocket (action  8408 ′). The staple-forming path  8570  is only coined in the bottom  8532 P of the pocket  8560 P′ to form the pocket  8560 F′. See  FIGS. 63 and 64 . As can be seen in  FIG. 64 , the staple-forming path  8570  is smoother than the surrounding surfaces formed by the MIM process. That is, the surface finish  8572 F′ of the staple-forming path  8570  is smoother than the surface finish  8536 P′ of the remaining walls of pocket  8560 F′. The staple-forming path  8570  is also harder and denser than the MIM formed portions due to the compression attained from coining. However, the problems associated with previous coining operations are less likely to occur due to the lower forces and compressions attained using the method  8400 ′. 
     Another anvil manufacturing method  8600  is depicted in  FIG. 65 . Method  8600  involves forming the anvil body  8510  using liquid metal or Vitreloy. The liquid metal process is employed to form the anvil body  8510  with the anvil pockets  8560 P in their near net shape (action  8602 ). As with method  8600 , a coining process  8604  is used to provide the forming pockets  8560 F with their final configurations.  FIG. 66  depicts a method  8600 ′ that comprises using the liquid metal process to form the anvil body  8510  with pockets that have their final shape (action  8602 ′) and then coining the staple-forming path  8570  into each pocket (action  8604 ′). As with the process  8400  described above, the final forming pockets  8560 F may have a similar geometric shape as the pre-formed or near net forming pockets  8560 P with the final forming pockets  8560 F being larger and deeper. 
     Another anvil manufacturing method  8700  is depicted in  FIG. 67 . Method  8700  comprises extruding or rolling an initial blank or body that is sized and shaped to be machined into a desired final configuration (action  8702 ). The anvil body is machined using various conventional machining techniques so as to initially form planar forming surfaces on each size of the elongate slot. In addition, in this arrangement, the method involves machining the pre-formed or initial pockets  8560 P into the planar forming surfaces (action  8704 ). The pre-formed pocket  8560 P may be similar to the preformed pocket configurations such as those depicted in  FIG. 56 , for example. Thereafter, the final pocket configurations  8560 F are formed by coining to attain the configuration such as that depicted in  FIG. 57  (action  8706 ). In using method  8700 , however, the anvil body is not created using MIM or liquid metal. Instead, the anvil body material may be extruded or rolled and then machined. However, because the coining forces needed are lower than the previously used coining methods, the compression and material displacement will be lower.  FIG. 68  depicts a method  8700 ′ that comprises extruding or rolling an initial blank or body that is sized and shaped to be machined into a desired final configuration (action  8702 ). The anvil body is machined using various conventional machining techniques so as to initially form the pockets into the planar forming surfaces on each size of the elongate slot. Coining (action  8706 ′) is then employed to coin the staple-forming pass  8570  into each pocket. 
       FIG. 69  depicts another method  8800  that employs the action  8402  to create the feedstock. The anvil body in this method is injection molded (action  8404 ′) in final form, but without any anvil pockets formed therein. The anvil body is then conditioned (action  8406 ). The preformed pockets  8560 P are then machined into the anvil body (action  8808 ). The final pockets  8560 F are then formed into the anvil body by coining (action  8810 ).  FIG. 70  depicts another method  8800 ′ that is similar to method  8800 , except that the pockets are machined with their final configuration (action  8808 ′). The staple-forming paths are then coined into the bottom of each pocket (action  8810 ′). 
       FIG. 71  depicts another method  8900  wherein the anvil body is formed using liquid metal (action  8902 ). Near-net pockets are then machined into the anvil body (action  8904 ). The final pocket configurations are then coined into the anvil body (action  8906 ).  FIG. 72  depicts another method  8900 ′ that is similar to method  8900 , except that the pockets are machined with their final configuration (action  8904 ′). The staple-forming paths are then coined into the bottom of each pocket (action  8906 ′). In alternative arrangements, the preformed pockets  8560 P may be formed in the anvil body  8510  using electrochemical machining (ECM). ECM is a method of removing metal by an electrochemical process. ECM is similar to electrical discharge machining (EDM) in that a high current is passed between an electrode and the part through an electrolytic material removing process having a negatively charged electrode (cathode), a conductive fluid (electrolyte) and a conductive workpiece (anode). The ECM cutting tool is guided along the desired path close to the work, but without touching the piece. Once the preformed pockets are formed in the anvil body using the ECM process, the final pocket form or the staple-forming path is coined into each pocket. 
     By forming the anvil body using the MIM process or the liquid metal process, the irregularities and inclusions often encountered in processes wherein the anvil body is extruded or rolled may be avoided. By preforming the pockets in the anvil body using the various methods described herein prior to coining enables lower coining forces to be employed when forming the final pocket configuration or staple-forming path. Such lower coining forces result in lower compression and less material displacement and consequently a reduction in the irregularities and occlusions commonly encountered when employing previous anvil fabrication methods. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1—A method of manufacturing an anvil for a surgical stapler, wherein the method comprises providing anvil material and establishing a tissue contacting surface in the anvil material. The method further comprises forming a staple-forming pocket into the anvil material through the tissue contacting surface. The forming action comprises employing a first manufacturing process to establish the staple-forming pocket in the anvil material with a preliminary geometric shape and a preliminary surface finish and employing a second manufacturing process that differs from the first manufacturing process to change the preliminary geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to a desired final geometric shape that differs from the preliminary geometric shape and includes a final desired surface finish that differs from the preliminary surface finish. 
     Example 2—The method of Example 1, wherein the preliminary geometric shape comprises a preliminary bottom surface that is located a preliminary depth from the tissue contacting surface. The preliminary geometric shape further comprises at least two preliminary sloping walls that extend from opposing sides of the preliminary bottom surface to the tissue contacting surface to form a preliminary pocket opening therein that comprises a preliminary opening width. The desired final geometric shape comprises a final bottom surface that is located a final depth from the tissue contacting surface, wherein the final depth is greater than the preliminary depth. The desired final geometric shape further comprises at least two final sloping walls that extend from opposing sides of the final bottom surface to the tissue contacting surface to form a final pocket opening therein that comprises a final opening width, wherein the final opening width is greater than the preliminary opening width. 
     Example 3—The method of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the first manufacturing process is selected from the group of first manufacturing processes consisting of: electrochemical machining, metal injection molding, and liquid metal forming processes. 
     Example 4—The method of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second manufacturing process is selected from the group of second manufacturing processes consisting of: coining and forging. 
     Example 5—The method of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein only a portion of the desired final geometric shape includes the final desire surface finish. 
     Example 6—The method of Examples 1, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the preliminary geometric shape comprises a preliminary bottom surface that is located a preliminary depth from the tissue contacting surface. The preliminary geometric shape further comprises at least two sloping walls that extend from opposing sides of the preliminary bottom surface to the tissue contacting surface to form a pocket opening therein and wherein the desired final geometric shape comprises a final bottom surface wherein at least a portion thereof is located a final depth from the tissue contacting surface wherein the final depth is greater than the preliminary depth and wherein the at least a portion of the final bottom surface includes the final desired surface finish. 
     Example 7—The method of Example 6, wherein at least a portion of the final bottom surface comprises a staple leg guidance groove in the final bottom surface. 
     Example 8—The method of Examples 6 or 7, wherein the first manufacturing process is selected from the group of first manufacturing processes consisting of: electrochemical machining, metal injection molding, and liquid metal forming processes. 
     Example 9—The method of Examples 6, 7 or 8, wherein the second manufacturing process is selected from the group of second manufacturing processes consisting of: coining and forging. 
     Example 10—The method of Examples 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the second manufacturing process is only applied to at least a portion of the preliminary bottom surface and not to the at least two sloping walls. 
     Example 11—The method of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the second manufacturing process is employed to change the preliminary geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to an intermediate geometric shape that differs from the preliminary geometric shape and wherein the method further comprises employing a third manufacturing process to change the intermediate geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to a desired final geometric shape that differs from the intermediate geometric shape and includes a final desired surface finish that differs from the preliminary surface finish. 
     Example 12—The method of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the second manufacturing process is employed to change the preliminary geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to an intermediate geometric shape that differs from the preliminary geometric shape and includes a intermediate surface finish that differs from the preliminary surface finish and wherein the method further comprises employing a third manufacturing process to change the intermediate geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to a desired final geometric shape that differs from the intermediate geometric shape and at least a portion thereof includes a final desired surface finish that differs from the intermediate surface finish. 
     Example 13—A method of manufacturing an anvil for a surgical stapler, wherein the method comprises providing anvil material and establishing a tissue contacting surface in the anvil material. The method further comprises forming a staple-forming pocket into the anvil material through the tissue contacting surface. The forming action comprises employing a first manufacturing process to establish the staple-forming pocket in the anvil material with a preliminary geometric shape and employing a second manufacturing process to change the preliminary geometric shape of the staple-forming pocket to a desired final geometric shape that differs from the preliminary geometric shape. 
     Example 14—The method of Example 13, wherein the preliminary geometric shape comprises a bottom surface that is located a depth from the tissue contacting surface. The preliminary geometric shape further comprises at least two sloping walls that extend from opposing sides of the bottom surface to the tissue contacting surface to form a pocket opening therein and wherein the second manufacturing process comprises forming a staple leg guiding groove in the bottom surface. 
     Example 15—The method of Example 14, wherein the second manufacturing process comprises coining the staple leg-guiding groove into the bottom surface. 
     Example 16—The method of Examples 14 or 15, wherein the bottom surface includes a first surface finish and wherein the staple leg guiding groove includes a second surface finish that differs from the first surface finish. 
     Example 17—The method of Example 13, wherein the preliminary geometric shape comprises a preliminary bottom surface located a preliminary depth from the tissue contacting surface. The preliminary geometric shape further comprises at least two sloping walls that extend from opposing sides of the preliminary bottom surface to the tissue contacting surface to form a pocket opening therein and wherein the desired final geometric shape comprises a final bottom surface, at least a portion of which is located a final depth from the tissue contacting surface wherein the final depth is greater than the preliminary depth and wherein the at least a portion of the final bottom surface is smoother and harder than the preliminary bottom surface. 
     Example 18—The method of Examples 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the first manufacturing process is selected from the group of first manufacturing processes consisting of: electrochemical machining, metal injection molding and liquid metal forming processes. 
     Example 19—The method of Examples 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the second manufacturing process is selected from the group of second manufacturing processes consisting of: coining and forging. 
     Example 20—The method of Examples 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein the second manufacturing process is only employed to change a portion of the preliminary geometric shape. 
     Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by a manually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greater detail. 
     The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments are envisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned which utilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an end effector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an end effector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue. 
     The entire disclosures of: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued on Sep. 9, 2008; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec. 16, 2008; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Jul. 13, 2010; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008; 
     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. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552; 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, filed Jan. 31, 2006; and 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Although various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one ore more other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations. 
     The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps including, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, after cleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application. 
     The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.