Patent Publication Number: US-11020115-B2

Title: Deliverable surgical instrument

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/178,840, entitled DELIVERABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 12, 2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0223809, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present application relates to surgical instruments and, in various embodiments, to surgical stapling and/or cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a shaftless surgical system including a shaftless end effector in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2-6  illustrate various cross-sectional views of the shaftless surgical system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 1  in an open condition, wherein the end effector includes an anvil in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 1  in a closed condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 1  illustrating a closure system of the end effector engaged with the anvil; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 1  in a fired condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a shaftless end effector in accordance with at least one alternative embodiment and a grasper configured to manipulate the end effector; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a shaftless end effector in accordance with at least one alternative embodiment and an actuator configured to manipulate the end effector; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the actuator of  FIG. 12  detached from the end effector of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of an end effector in accordance with at least one embodiment comprising a detachable guide tether; 
         FIG. 15  is a detail view of a frangible section connecting the guide tether of  FIG. 14  to the end effector of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the detachable guide tether of  FIG. 14  in a detached state; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a shaftless end effector in accordance with at least one alternative embodiment including a rotatable drive system; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a knife member of the end effector of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 17  illustrated in a fired condition; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional end view of the end effector of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 17  illustrated with the knife member of  FIG. 18  in a fully-actuated position; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of a shaftless end effector in accordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising a rotatable closure system and a firing system; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a knife member of the end effector of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional end view of the end effector of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 22  illustrated in a closed and fully-fired condition; 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 22  illustrated in a fully-actuated condition; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates an embodiment of an integrated closure and firing mechanism for interfacing with a shaftless end effector; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates one embodiment of a shaftless end effector configured to be operably engaged with the integrated closure and firing mechanism of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates the integrated closure and firing mechanism of  FIG. 27  attached to the end effector of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates the shaftless end effector of  FIG. 28  in a closed condition; 
         FIGS. 31-32  illustrate various cross-sectional views of the shaftless end effector of  FIG. 28 ; and 
         FIG. 33  illustrates the end effector of  FIG. 28  in a partially-actuated condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patent applications identified below which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,311, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH RECONFIGURABLE SHAFT SEGMENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,877; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,340, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES SUPPORTING NON-LINEARLY ARRANGED STAPLES AND SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH COMMON STAPLE-FORMING POCKETS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,463; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,327, entitled JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,956; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,351, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FASTENER DEPLOYMENT AND TISSUE CUTTING SYSTEMS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,864; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,338, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING A NON-UNIFORM ARRANGEMENT; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,007; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,369, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SUPPORT RETAINER; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080344; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,312, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING MULTIPLE LAYERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,782; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,377, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH COMPACT ARTICULATION CONTROL ARRANGEMENT; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,840,003; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,360, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH A VARIABLE STAPLE FORMING SYSTEM; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,862; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,322, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE ARRANGEMENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,034; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,350, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURES; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080478; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,383, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING BIOABSORBABLE LAYERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,699; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,389, entitled COMPRESSIBLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,037; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,345, entitled FASTENERS SUPPORTED BY A FASTENER CARTRIDGE SUPPORT; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,542; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,306, entitled COLLAPSIBLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,227; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,318, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONNECTED RETENTION MATRIX ELEMENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,814,024; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,330, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,465; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,361, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,529,600; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,367, entitled FASTENING INSTRUMENT FOR DEPLOYING A FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,203; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,388, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND A COVER; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,677; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,376, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FASTENER CARTRIDGES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,228; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,865, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FORMING POCKETS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,295,464; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,936, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,176; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,954, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A VARIABLE THICKNESS COMPRESSIBLE PORTION; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080340; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,856, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080336; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,928, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING DETACHABLE PORTIONS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,535; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,891, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE ANVIL; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,009; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,948, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE DISTAL PORTION; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,954; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,907, entitled COMPRESSIBLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,755; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,861, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING PORTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT PROPERTIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,865; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,869, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE LOADING ASSEMBLY; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,694; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,917, entitled COMPRESSIBLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING ALIGNMENT MEMBERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,004; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,873, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLE PORTION; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,038; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,938, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING COMPRESSIBLE DISTORTION RESISTANT COMPONENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,542; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,924, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,168,038; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,029, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH FLOATING ANVIL; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,893,949; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,066, entitled CURVED END EFFECTOR FOR A STAPLING INSTRUMENT; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080498; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,086, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE INCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,941; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,912, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE INCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK ARRANGEMENT; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,084 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,922, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH STATIONARY STAPLE DRIVERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,216,019; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,637, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR GENERATING MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTIONS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,741; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,629, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0074200; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,096, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CAPSULES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,752; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,103, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,419; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,098, entitled EXPANDABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,753; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,102, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A RESERVOIR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,941; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,114, entitled RETAINER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,988; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,136, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE MEDICAMENT; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0241492; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,141, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CONTROLLED RELEASE AND EXPANSION; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0241493; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,144, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING FIBERS TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,277,919; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,148, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING STRUCTURE TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,500; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,155, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING RESILIENT MEMBERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,476; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,163, entitled METHODS FOR FORMING TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0248169; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,167, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATORS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,501; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,175, entitled LAYERED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,974; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,179, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATORS FOR CIRCULAR SURGICAL STAPLERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,233; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,028, entitled ADHESIVE FILM LAMINATE; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,282,962; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,115, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CAPSULES DEFINING A LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,204,880; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,118, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISED OF A PLURALITY OF MATERIALS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,414,838; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,135, entitled MOVABLE MEMBER FOR USE WITH A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,517,063; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,140, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,714; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,129, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF MEDICAMENTS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,120; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/216,562, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,746; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/714,049, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH ANVIL HAVING STAPLE FORMING POCKETS OF VARYING DEPTHS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0194082; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,979, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,070; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,975, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH STAPLE DRIVERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0194079; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,977, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH STAPLE DRIVER THAT SUPPORTS MULTIPLE WIRE DIAMETER STAPLES, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,781; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/712,315, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE STACKED ACTUATOR WEDGE CAMS FOR DRIVING STAPLE DRIVERS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,979; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,630; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/020,263, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,187; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,278, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,891; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/369,629, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED CABLE-BASED SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,800,838; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/695,359, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES FOR FORMING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,923; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/072,923, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,656; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,325, entitled LAYER OF MATERIAL FOR A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256380; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,078, entitled ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO A PROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256383; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,094, entitled LAYER COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE ATTACHMENT MEMBERS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,834; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,106, entitled END EFFECTOR COMPRISING A DISTAL TISSUE ABUTMENT MEMBER; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,592,050; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,147, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CHANNELS; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,730; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,112, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING CARTRIDGE WITH LAYER RETENTION FEATURES; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256379; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,035, entitled ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FROM A FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0214030; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,042, entitled RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING THE SAME; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0221063; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,048, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,317; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,054, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,272,406; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,065, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLY ATTACHED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,566,061; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,021, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLE COVER; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,984; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,078, entitled ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO A PROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256383; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,095, entitled LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,770,245; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,147, entitled IMPLANTABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0153636; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,192, entitled MULTIPLE THICKNESS IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,615,826; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,161, entitled RELEASABLE LAYER OF MATERIAL AND SURGICAL END EFFECTOR HAVING THE SAME; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0153641; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,177, entitled ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING A LAYER OF MATERIAL FROM A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,657; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,037, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0224857; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,126, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING TISSUE INGROWTH FEATURES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,320,523; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/433,132, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ATTACHING TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATING MATERIALS TO SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256373; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/851,703, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCLUDING OPENINGS THEREIN; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,572,577; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/851,676, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER PATH; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0291379; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/851,693, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,984; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/851,684, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND A GAP SETTING ELEMENT; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,384. 
     Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the 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 or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” referring 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 person of ordinary skill in the art 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, those of ordinary skill in the art 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 elongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced. 
     Turning to the drawings wherein like numerals denote like components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  depicts a shaftless surgical system  2 . The shaftless surgical system  2  comprises a trocar  4  and a shaftless end effector  6 . In use, the trocar  4  is inserted through one or more openings formed in a patient, such as, for example, a natural orifice opening, a translumenal opening, a surgical opening, and/or any other suitable opening. In some embodiments, the trocar  4  comprises an endoscopic and/or laparoscopic instrument. The end effector  6  may be located within the trocar  4  when the trocar  4  is introduced to a surgical site. In certain embodiments, the end effector  6  may be inserted into the trocar  4  after the trocar  4  has been introduced to the surgical site. In some embodiments, an actuator is introduced into the proximal end of the trocar  4  to push the end effector  6  out of the trocar  4 . In other embodiments, an actuator is introduced into the distal end of the trocar to pull the end effector  6  out of the trocar  4 . 
     In various embodiments, the shaftless end effector  6  comprises a first jaw member  8   a  and a second jaw member  8   b . The first jaw member  8   a  comprises an anvil  10  having a staple-forming surface. The staple-forming surface can comprise a plurality of staple forming pockets therein. The first jaw member  8   a  is moveably coupled to a second jaw member  8   b . The second jaw member  8   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  42  configured to receive a staple cartridge  12 . The staple cartridge  12  comprises a plurality of staples  14  disposed therein. A pin  15  extending from first jaw member  8   a  is received within a slot  16  formed on the second jaw member  8   b . The pin  15  and the slot  16  are configured to allow pivoting (rotation) and/or vertical movement (translation) of the first jaw member  8   a  with respect to the second jaw member  8   b . In various embodiments, the second jaw member  8   b  may be fabricated from, for example, 300 &amp; 400 Series, 17-4 &amp; 17-7 stainless steel, titanium, etc., and may be formed with spaced side walls. The first jaw member  8   a  may be fabricated from, for example, 300 &amp; 400 Series, 17-4 &amp; 17-7 stainless steel, titanium, etc., and have a staple forming undersurface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets formed therein. 
     Various forms of staple cartridges may be employed with the various embodiments of the end effector  6  disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an implantable staple cartridge  12  may be used. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge  12  comprises a body portion  18  that comprises a compressible material such as, for example, a hemostatic material, oxidized regenerated cellulose (“ORC”) and/or a bioabsorbable foam in which lines of unformed metal staples  14 , for example, are supported. In at least some embodiments, in order to prevent the alignment of the staples  14  within the cartridge body  18  from being affected and/or the hemostatic material from being activated during the introduction and positioning of the end effector  6  within a surgical site, the entire staple cartridge  12  may be coated or wrapped in a biodegradable film, such as, for example, a polydioxanone film sold under the trademark PDS®, a Polyglycerol sebecate (PGS) film, a biodegradable film formed from PGA (Polyglycolic acid, marketed under the trademark Vicryl), PCL (Polycaprolactone), PLA or PLLA (Polylactic acid), PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), PGCL (poliglecaprone 25, sold under the trademark Monocryl), and/or a composite of PGA, PCL, PLA, and/or PDS that would be impermeable until ruptured. The body portion  18  of the staple cartridge  12  is sized to be supported within the longitudinal channel  42  of the lower jaw member  8   b  such that each staple  14  is aligned with a corresponding staple forming pocket in the anvil  10  when the anvil  10  is driven into forming contact with the staple cartridge  12 . In various instances, the staple cartridge  12  can be removable from the end effector  6  and, in other instances, the staple cartridge  12  may not be removable from the end effector  6 . 
     In use, the end effector  6  is positioned adjacent to target tissue. The end effector  6  is manipulated to capture or clamp the target tissue between the anvil  10  and the staple cartridge  12 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the anvil  10  is illustrated in an open position. The anvil  10  can be rotated downwardly toward the tissue T into a closed, or clamped, position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A closure system configured to move the anvil  10  into a closed position is discussed in greater detail further below. The staples  14  are formed by moving the anvil  10  vertically, or downwardly, toward the staple cartridge  12  while maintaining the anvil  10  in a parallel, or an at least substantially parallel, orientation with respect to the staple cartridge  12  in order to bring the staple forming surface and the staple forming pockets of the anvil  10  into contact with the staple cartridge  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As the anvil  10  continues to move into the staple cartridge  12 , referring now to  FIG. 10 , the legs of the staples  14  contact a corresponding staple forming pocket in the anvil  10  which serves to bend the staple  14  legs and form the staples  14  into a “B shape”, for example. Further movement of the anvil  10  towards the staple cartridge  12  will further compress and form the staples  14  to a desired final formed height. 
     Further to the above, the end effector  6  can comprise a closure system configured to close the anvil  10 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a closure system  20  comprising a proximal end slide  22   a  and a distal end slide  22   b . The proximal end slide  22   a  and the distal end slide  22   b  can each comprise a cavity  24  for receiving a portion of the first jaw member  8   a  and a portion of the second jaw member  8   b  therein. The proximal slide  22   a  comprises a slide portion  26   a  extending longitudinally therefrom and the distal slide  22   b  comprise a slide portion  26   b  extending longitudinally therefrom. The slide portions  26   a ,  26   b  are slideably receivable within a longitudinal aperture  28  formed in the lower jaw member  8   b .  FIGS. 2-6  illustrate various cross-sectional views of the shaftless surgical system  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaftless surgical system  2  showing the trocar  4  and the distal slide  22   b .  FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaftless surgical system  2  showing the distal slide  22   b  and the cavity  24  defined therein for receiving a distal end of the first jaw member  8   a  and a distal end of the second jaw member  8   b .  FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaftless surgical system  2  showing the first jaw member  8   a  comprising a recess configured to receive a portion of the distal slide  22   b , as described in greater detail further below. In some embodiments, the recess comprises a plurality of retention and/or depth gauge features  38 , which will also be described in greater detail further below. The slide portion  26   b  of the distal slide  22   b  is further illustrated in  FIG. 4  and is positioned within the longitudinal aperture  28  defined in the second jaw member  8   b .  FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaftless surgical system  2  showing the first jaw member  8   a  and the second jaw member  8   b  at a location which is intermediate the proximal slide  22   a  and the distal slide  22   b .  FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shaftless surgical system  2  showing the pin  15  and slot  16  coupling the first jaw member  8   a  and the second jaw member  8   b .  FIG. 6  further illustrates the proximal slide  22   a  and the proximal slide portion  26   a . The proximal slide portion  26   a  is slideably received within the longitudinal aperture  28  defined in the second jaw  8   b . In various instances, the slide portion  26   a  and/or the slide portion  26   b  can support the second jaw  8   b  as the first jaw  8   a  is pushed toward the second jaw  8   b  to deform the staples as discussed above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the end effector  6  in a deployed position, i.e., a position within a patient. As outlined above, the end effector  6  can be deployed from the trocar  4 , for example, by inserting a push rod into the trocar  4  in order to push the shaftless end effector  6  out of the trocar  4 . When deployed from the trocar  4 , the first jaw member  8   a  and the second jaw member  8   b  can assume an open position and/or can be manipulated to assume an open position. In at least one embodiment, the anvil  10  is biased into an open position by an anvil spring (not shown) and/or another biasing arrangement. The anvil spring biases the first jaw member  8   a  and the second jaw member  8   b  into an open position such that, when the shaftless end effector  6  is deployed from the trocar  4 , the shaftless end effector  6  assumes the open position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a tissue clamping and staple-forming process. In  FIG. 7 , a target tissue “T” is positioned between the anvil  10  and the staple cartridge  12 . The anvil  10  is pivoted with respect to the lower jaw member  8   b  to an initial clamping, or partially-closed, position illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, a grasper and/or another instrument can be inserted through the trocar  4 , and/or through another trocar, for example, to push the proximal slide  22   a  and the distal slide  22   b  toward one another, i.e., toward the center of the end effector  6  is used to transition the anvil  10  to a partially closed position. In various instances, the proximal slide  22   a  can be configured to contact the first jaw  8   a  and move the first jaw  8   a  from its open position to a partially closed position. Once the first jaw  8   a  has reached a partially closed position, the distal slide  22   b  can be moved into contact with the first jaw  8   a . Thereafter, the slides  22   a  and  22   b  can be pushed toward one another at the same time and/or sequentially in order to compress the anvil  10  onto the target tissue “T” and clamp the target tissue “T” between the anvil  10  and the staple cartridge  12 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the initial staple formation wherein the anvil  10  has just come into contact with the staple cartridge  12 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the staples  14  in their final formed position. 
     Further to the above, the end slides  22   a ,  22   b  can each define a cavity  24  for receiving the first jaw member  8   a  and the second jaw member  8   b  therein. The inner surface of the cavity  24  defined in each of the end slides  22   a ,  22   b  can comprise a cam surface, such as cam surface  30 , for example. In various instances, each cam surface  30  can comprise an angled surface, for example. In certain instances, the angled surfaces can be configured to engage angled surfaces on the first jaw  8   a . For example, the proximal end of the first jaw  8   a  can comprise a follower surface  32  which can be engaged by the cam surface  30  defined on the proximal end slide  22   a  as the proximal end slide  22   a  is moved distally toward the distal end slide  22   b . Similarly, the distal end of the first jaw  8   a  can comprise a follower surface  32  which can be engaged by the cam surface  30  defined on the distal end slide  22   b  as the distal end slide  22   b  is moved proximally toward the distal end slide  22   a . In various instances, the angle of the cam surface  30  can match an angle of the follower surface  32  while, in other instances, the angle of the cam surface  30  can be different than an angle of the follower surface  32 . In certain instances, one set of surfaces  30 ,  32 , such as the proximal set of surfaces, may be defined by a first matching angle and the other set of surfaces  30 ,  32 , such as the distal set of surfaces, may be defined by a second matching angle which is different than the first matching angle. In various embodiments, the configurations of the cam surfaces  30  and the follower surfaces  32  can be selected to allow the anvil  10  to maintain an at least substantially parallel orientation with respect to the staple cartridge  12  in order to form of all staple  14  simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, the end effector  6  can comprise at least one gauge configured to indicate the formed height of the staples. In various instances, the proximal end of the end effector  6  can include a formed height gauge  31  and/or the distal end of the end effector  6  can include a formed height gauge  31 , for example. In certain instances, the proximal end slide  22   a  and/or the distal end slide  22   b  comprise a gauge element configured to indicate the formed height of the staples  14 . In various instances, a gauge can include a series or an array of demarcations defined on the distal end of the second jaw  8   a  and, in addition, a gauge element extending from the distal end slide  22   b . In at least one such embodiment, the gauge element can comprise an arm  34  including a head  36  and the array of demarcations can comprise a plurality of teeth  38  wherein the position of the head  36  relative to the teeth  38  can indicate the distance in which the anvil  10  has been pushed downwardly. Similarly, a gauge can include a series or an array of demarcations defined on the proximal end of the second jaw  8   a  and a gauge element extending from the proximal end slide  22   a . Also similar to the above, the gauge element can comprise an arm  34  including a head  36  and the array of demarcations can comprise a plurality of teeth  38  wherein the position of the head  36  relative to the teeth  38  can indicate the distance in which the anvil  10  has been pushed downwardly. Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the anvil  10  has been positioned against the staple cartridge  12  and, in such a position, the head  36  of the gauge element extending from the proximal end slide  22   a  has slid over the outer-most tooth  38  in the proximal array of teeth  38  and the head  36  of the gauge element extending from the distal end slide  22   b  has slid over the outer-most tooth  38  in the distal array of teeth  38 . This relative positioning of the gauge heads  36  with respect to the arrays of teeth  38  can indicate to a clinician that the staples  14  have not yet been deformed by the anvil  10 . As the proximal end slide  22   a  is moved inwardly, the proximal end slide  22   a  can drive the proximal end of the first jaw  8   a  downwardly and the head  36  extending therefrom can slide over one or more additional teeth  38 . Similarly, as the distal end slide  22   b  is moved inwardly, the distal end slide  22   b  can drive the distal end of the first jaw  8   a  downwardly and the head  36  extending therefrom can slide over one or more additional teeth  38 . When the heads  36  have slid over all of the teeth  38 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the clinician can assume that the staples  14  have been fully formed. 
     Various embodiments disclosed herein employ a compressible staple cartridge  12  that supports staples in a substantially stationary position for forming contact by the anvil  10 . In various embodiments, the anvil  10  is driven into the unformed staples  14  wherein, in at least one such embodiment, the degree of staple formation attained is dependent upon how far the anvil  10  is driven into the staples. Such an arrangement provides the surgeon with the ability to adjust the amount of forming or firing pressure applied to the staples and thereby alters the final formed height of the staples. 
     Further to the above, the gauge elements extending from the end slides  22   a  and  22   b  can comprise retention members which can be configured to hold and/or lock the end slides  22   a  and  22   b  in position. In various instances, the heads  36  of the gauge elements and/or the teeth  38  can include lock shoulders configured to, one, permit the end slides  22   a  and  22   b  to be moved inwardly and, two, resist the outward movement of the end slides  22   a  and  22   b . In various embodiments, the gauges can comprise ratchet systems permitting movement in one direction but prohibiting movement in the opposite direction. In order to overcome the locking effects of the gauge elements, the heads  36  of the gauge elements can be raised and/or deflected away from the arrays of teeth  38 . Once the gauge elements have been disengaged from the first jaw  8   a , the end slides  22   a ,  22   b  can be moved outwardly to permit the first jaw  8   a  to open. As discussed above, the first jaw  8   a  can be moved into its open position by a spring and/or can be pulled open by a grasper, such as grasper  154  ( FIG. 11 ), for example 
     Previous end effectors extended from a shaft of a surgical instrument wherein one or more drive members extending through the shaft were utilized to operate the end effector. As the reader will appreciate, the end effector  6  is not attached to the shaft of a surgical instrument and, thus, is shaftless. In various instances, as discussed above, a grasper, for example, can be utilized to push the end slides  22   a ,  22   b  of the end effector  6  inwardly. The grasper can be configured to move the end slides  22   a ,  22   b  one at a time or simultaneously. In various instances, a closure mechanism, such as, for example, a grasper (not shown) is coupled to the shaftless closure system  20 . In certain instances, the grasper is opened and the shaftless end effector  6  is positioned between two arms of the grasper. The grasper is transitioned from an open position to a closed position to cause the proximal slide  22   a  and the distal slide  22   b  to slide towards a middle point of the shaftless end effector  6 . The cam surfaces  30  of the proximal slide  22   a  and the distal slide  22   b  interface with the follower surfaces  32  defined on the anvil  10 , causing the anvil  10  to compress towards the staple cartridge  12 . As discussed above, the anvil  10  can compress the target tissue “T” and deploy the staples  14  into the target tissue “T.” Once the staples  14  have been formed and fastened to the target tissue “T”, further to the above, the surgeon can open the grasper and remove it from the surgical site. The anvil  10  can then be opened to release the stapled tissue “T” and the end effector  6  can be removed from the surgical site. As the reader will appreciate, the staple body  18  crushed and captured by the staples  14  can remain behind, or implanted. The remaining “crushed” staple body  18  can act as a hemostatic material, a staple line reinforcement, and/or a compensator for variations in tissue thickness. As used herein the term “implantable” means that, in addition to the staples  14 , at least a portion of the staple cartridge body  18  captured by the staples  14  will also remain in the patient. The implanted cartridge body  18  may or may not eventually be absorbed by the patient&#39;s body. Although the various embodiments are described herein with reference to implantable staple cartridges, one skilled in the art will recognize that non-implantable cartridges, i.e., cartridges in which the staple cartridge remains positioned within the shaftless end effector after it is fired, may also be used. In various instances, such surgical stapling arrangements can employ staple driving elements which can lift the staples towards the anvil. 
     Although the shaftless end effector  6  is illustrated comprising a proximal slide  22   a  and a distal slide  22   b , the reader will recognize that either the proximal slide  22   a  and/or the distal slide  22   b  may be omitted. In some embodiments, after the staples have been formed or fired into the target tissue, the shaftless end effector  6  may be released, for example, by actuating a release mechanism. The release mechanism can release the proximal slide  22   a  and/or the distal slide  22   b  causing the anvil  10  to assume an open position. 
     In certain embodiments, the shaftless end effector  6  may be solely used as a tissue stapling device. However, in various embodiments, the shaftless end effector  6  comprises a cutting member  40 . The cutting member  40  is configured to cut the target tissue “T” along a longitudinal axis of the end effector  6 . In some embodiments, the cutting member  40  comprises a fixed blade. In at least one embodiment, the lower jaw member  8   b  comprises a sharpened cutting member  40  configured to interface with a mating member formed on the anvil  10 . When the anvil  10  is compressed towards the staple cartridge  12 , the anvil  10  pushes the tissue T against the cutting member  40  which then cuts the target tissue T. In other embodiments, the cutting member can comprise a slideable cutting member deployable from an un-actuated position adjacent to the proximal end of the shaftless end effector  6  to an actuated position adjacent the distal end, for example. In at least one such instance, the cutting member can be configured to slideably extend through a slot in the anvil  10  and a centrally disposed slot in the staple cartridge  12 . A slideable cutting member may be deployed, for example, by a rotatable shaft, which is described in greater detail further below. In some embodiments, the slideable cutting member comprises a sled for deploying the staples  14 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of a shaftless end effector  106 . The shaftless end effector  106  is similar to the shaftless end effector  6  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . The shaftless end effector  106  comprises a first jaw member  108   a  and a second jaw member  108   b . The first jaw member  108   a  comprises an anvil  110  having a plurality of staple forming pockets therein. The second jaw member  108   b  comprises a channel  142  configured to receive a staple cartridge, such as, for example, an implantable staple cartridge. A shaftless closure system  120  is configured to transition the end effector  106  from an open position to a closed position and to deploy the staples of a staple cartridge located within the channel  142 . The shaftless closure system comprises a proximal slide  122   a  and a distal slide  122   b . The proximal slide  122   a  and the distal slide  122   b  are configured to slideably interface with the first jaw member  108   a  and the second jaw member  108   b  to drive the anvil  110  into contact with, and form the staples within, a staple cartridge. The proximal slide  122   a  comprises an angled grasping portion which extends in a direction which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the end effector  106 . In various instances, the angled grasping portion can comprise a ski tip  150 . The ski tip  150  can be configured to facilitate the insertion of the end effector  106  relative to or underneath certain tissue. The ski tip  150  comprises a grasping section  152  configured to interface with a grasper  154 . The grasper  154  may comprise any suitable grasper, such as, for example, a grasping device configured for insertion through the trocar  4 . The ski tip  150  can facilitate the placement of the shaftless end effector  106  under a vessel or target tissue, for example. In some embodiments, after positioning the shaftless end effector  106  under the target tissue, the grasper  154  is used to transition the shaftless end effector  106  from the open position illustrated in  FIG. 11  to a partially closed position. The grasper  154  and/or an additional mechanical actuator is interfaced with the shaftless closure system  120  to transition the shaftless end effector  106  from a partially-closed position to a fired position by pushing the slides  122   a  and  122   b  toward one another. Although the ski tip  150  is illustrated as coupled to the proximal slide  122   a , a ski tip  150  may extend from the distal slide  122   b.    
       FIGS. 12-13  illustrate one embodiment of a shaftless end effector  206 . The shaftless end effector  206  comprises a first jaw member  208   a  and a second jaw member  208   b . The first jaw member  208   a  comprises an anvil  210  having a plurality of staple forming pockets therein. The second jaw member  208   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  242  configured to receive a staple cartridge, such as, for example, an implantable staple cartridge. The first jaw member  208   a  and the second jaw member  208   b  are coupled by a pin  215  and a slot  216 . The pin  215  enables pivotal and vertical movement of the anvil  210  with respect to the second jaw member  208   b . A shaftless closure system  220  is configured to transition the shaftless end effector  206  from an open position to a closed position. The shaftless closure system comprises a proximal slide  222   a  and a distal slide  222   b . The proximal slide  222   a  and the distal slide  222   b  each comprise a cam formed thereon configured to interface with a bevel formed on the anvil  210 . The interface between the cams of the proximal slide  222   a  and the distal slide  222   b  and the bevels of the first jaw  208   a  can drive the anvil  210  into contact with the staple cartridge while maintaining the anvil  210  in a substantially parallel configuration with respect to the second jaw member  208   b . The proximal slide  222   a  can comprise a coupling mechanism  258  configured to couple a detachable guide tether  256  to the shaftless end effector  206 . In some embodiments, the guide tether  256  comprises an angled plane  260 . The angled plane  260  extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the second jaw member  208   b . The angled plane  260  may comprise, for example, a ski tip. The guide tether  256  may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the shaftless end effector  206  at a treatment site. For example, in one embodiment, the detachable guide tether  256  extends proximally through a trocar and out of the patient and may be pulled by the surgeon to position the shaftless end effector  206 . Once the shaftless end effector  206  has been positioned, the guide tether  256  can be detached from the shaftless end effector  206  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Although the guide tether  256  is illustrated attached to the proximal slide  222   a , the reader will recognize that a coupling mechanism  258  may be formed on the distal slide  222   b  and the guide tether  256  may be coupled to the distal slide  222   b . In any event, the guide tether  256  may be used as an actuator to rotate the anvil  210  into a partially closed position by pushing the slide  222   a  and/or the slide  222   b  inwardly. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment of a shaftless end effector  306  comprising a tearable guide tether  356 . The shaftless end effector  306  comprises a first jaw member  308   a  and a second jaw member  308   b . The first jaw member  308   a  comprises an anvil  310  having a plurality of staple forming pockets therein. The second jaw member  308   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  342  configured to receive a staple cartridge, such as, for example, an implantable staple cartridge. The first jaw member  308   a  and the second jaw member  308   b  are coupled by a pin  315  and a slot  316 . The pin  315  enables pivotal and vertical movement of the anvil  310  with respect to the second jaw member  308   b . A shaftless closure system  320  is configured to transition the shaftless end effector  306  from an open position to a closed position. The shaftless closure system comprises a proximal slide  322   a  and a distal slide  322   b . The proximal slide  322   a  and the distal slide  322   b  each comprise a cam formed thereon and configured to interface with bevels formed on the anvil  310 . The interface between the cams of the proximal slide  322   a  and the distal slide  322   b  and the bevels on the anvil  310  drive the anvil  310  into contact with the staple cartridge while maintaining the anvil  310  in a substantially parallel configuration with respect to the second jaw member  308   b . The proximal slide  322   a  is coupled to a guide tether  356  by a tearable section  358 . The guide tether  356  may extend proximally through a trocar  4  and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the shaftless end effector  306  at a target site. After positioning the shaftless end effector  306 , the guide tether  356  can be released from the shaftless end effector  306  by tearing the tearable section  358 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the tearable section  358  of the guide tether  356  coupled to the shaftless end effector  306 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the tearable section  358  after the tether  356  is separated from the shaftless end effector  306 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a shaftless end effector  406  comprising a drive system  420 . The shaftless end effector  406  comprises a first jaw member  408   a  and a second jaw member  408   b . The first jaw member  408   a  comprises an anvil  410  having a plurality of staple forming pockets formed therein. The second jaw member  408   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  442  configured to receive a staple cartridge  412  therein. The staple cartridge  412  comprises a plurality of staples  14 . The first jaw member  408   a  and the second jaw member  408   b  are pivotally coupled. A pin  415  coupled to the first jaw member  408   a  is slideably retained within a slot  416  formed in the second jaw member  408   b . The pin  415  and the slot  416  enable the anvil  410  to pivot with respect to the second jaw member  408   b  and to move vertically towards the second jaw member  408   b.    
     A rotatable shaft  464  extends longitudinally through the second jaw member  408   b . The rotatable shaft  464  is operably engaged with a proximal slide  422   a  and a distal slide  422   b  of the drive system  420 . The proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  can each comprise a cam  430 . One and/or both of the cams  430  are configured to engage the anvil  410 , rotate the anvil  410  into a closed position, and translate the anvil  410  downwardly toward the cartridge  412 . The shaft  464  comprises a proximal drive end  466  extending from the proximal slide  422   a . In various instances, a rotatable input, such as rotation mechanism  468 , for example, can be coupled to the proximal drive end  466  to rotate the rotatable shaft  464 . The shaft  464  can further comprise a first threaded portion  465   a , a second threaded portion  465   b , and a third threaded portion  465   c . The first threaded portion  465   a  can be threadably engaged with a threaded longitudinal aperture defined in the proximal slide  422   a . When the shaft  464  is rotated in a first direction, the first threaded portion  465   a  can displace the proximal slide  422   a  toward the distal slide  422   b . The second threaded portion  465   b  can be threadably engaged with a threaded longitudinal aperture defined in the distal slide  422   b . When the shaft  464  is rotated in the first direction, the second threaded portion  465   b  can displace the distal slide  422   b  toward the proximal slide  422   a . In order to achieve such relative motion, in various embodiments, the first threaded portion  465   a  can comprise right-hand threads while the second threaded portion  465   b  can comprise left-hand threads, for example. When the proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  are moved toward each other, one and/or both of the slides  422   a  and  422   b  can rotate the anvil  410  into a closed position and push the anvil  410  downwardly to crush the staples  14 . 
       FIGS. 17, 19, and 21  illustrate the operation of the shaftless end effector  406  transitioning from an open condition to a fired condition. As shown in  FIG. 17 , a target tissue “T” is positioned between the anvil  410  and the staple cartridge  412  when the anvil  410  is in an open position. The shaftless end effector  406  is transitioned to a partially-closed position by pivoting the anvil  410  with respect to the second jaw member  408   b . In some instances, the anvil  410  may be pivoted by, for example, applying a force to the anvil  410  with a grasper inserted through a trocar  4 . In other instances, the anvil  410  may be moved into an at least partially-closed position by the proximal slide  422   a . In any event, the rotatable shaft  464  is rotated to cause the proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  to move longitudinally towards a center point of the shaftless end effector  406 . The shaft  464  can be rotated until the proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  fully compress the anvil  410  against the cartridge  412  and configure the shaftless end effector  406  in a fired condition, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . In other situations, the shaft  464  can be rotated to partially compress the cartridge  412  and partially form the staples  14 . In various instances, the proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  can contact the first jaw  408   a  at the same time or at different times. In at least one instance, the proximal slide  422   a  can contact the first jaw  408   a  before the distal slide  422   b  contacts the first jaw  408   a.    
     Referring again to  FIG. 17 , the end effector  406  can further include a cutting member, such as cutting member  440 , for example. When the end effector  406  is in an open condition, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the cutting member  440  can be positioned in a proximal, unadvanced position. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the cutting member  440  can include a threaded longitudinal aperture  470  defined therein wherein the shaft  464  can extend through the longitudinal aperture  470 . In the proximal, unadvanced position of the cutting member  440 , the threaded aperture  470  may not be threadably engaged with the shaft  464 . More particularly, the shaft  464  can include an unthreaded portion  467  extending between the first threaded portion  465   a  and the third threaded portion  465   c  and, when the cutting member  440  is in its proximal, unadvanced position, the unthreaded portion  467  of the shaft  464  can be positioned within the threaded aperture  470 . In such circumstances, the shaft  464  may not directly move the cutting member  440  when the shaft  464  is rotated; however, referring to  FIGS. 17 and 19 , the cutting member  440  can be advanced distally, at least initially, by the proximal slide  422   a . Stated another way, the proximal slide  422   a  can push the cutting member  440  toward the cartridge  412  when the proximal slide  422   a  is moved inwardly by the rotation of the shaft  464 , as discussed above. In various instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can move the cutting member  440  into a pre-stage position, i.e., a position where the cutting member  440  is about to transect, but has not yet transected, the cartridge  412  and/or the tissue T captured between the cartridge  412  and the anvil  410 . In various instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can move the cutting member  440  into its pre-stage position when the proximal slide  422   a  has reached its closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . In other instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can move the cutting member  440  into its pre-stage position before the proximal slide  422   a  has reached its closed position. In either event, the cutting member  440  can become operably engaged with the shaft  464  when the cutting member  440  has reached its pre-stage position. More particularly, the proximal slide  422   a  can push the cutting member  440  distally until the threaded aperture  470  defined in the cutting member  440  becomes threadably engaged with the threaded position  465   c . Once the cutting member  440  has been threadably engaged with the shaft  464 , further rotation of the shaft  464  in the first direction can advance the cutting member  440  distally, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
     As outlined above, the first threaded portion  465   a  can advance the proximal slide  422   a  from its unactuated position ( FIG. 17 ) to its fully actuated position ( FIG. 19 ). As the shaft  464  is rotated, the proximal slide  422   a  will advance along the length of the first threaded portion  465   a . Once the proximal slide  422   a  has been moved into its fully actuated position, the proximal slide  422   a  may no longer be engaged with the shaft  464  and further rotation of the shaft  464  in the first direction may not further advance the proximal slide  422   a . Stated another way, the first threaded portion  465   a  may push the proximal slide  422   a  to a point where the first threaded portion  465   a  is no longer threadably engaged with the threaded aperture defined in the proximal slide  422   a  and, at such point, an unthreaded portion  467  of the shaft  464  can be positioned within the threaded aperture. Similarly, the second threaded portion  465   b  can advance the distal slide  422   b  from its unactuated position ( FIG. 17 ) to its fully actuated position ( FIG. 19 ). As the shaft  464  is rotated, the distal slide  422   b  will advance along the length of the second threaded portion  465   b . Once the distal slide  422   b  has been moved into its fully actuated position, the distal slide  422   b  may no longer be engaged with the shaft  464  and further rotation of the shaft  464  in the first direction may not further advance the distal slide  422   b . Stated another way, the second threaded portion  465   b  may push the distal slide  422   b  to a point where the second threaded portion  465   b  is no longer threadably engaged with the threaded aperture defined in the distal slide  422   b  and, at such point, an unthreaded portion  467  of the shaft  464  can be positioned within the threaded aperture  470 . In various instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can become disengaged from the first threaded portion  465   a  at the same time, or at least substantially the same time, that the distal slide  422   b  becomes disengaged from the second threaded portion  465   b . In some instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can become disengaged from the first threaded portion  465   a  before or after the distal slide  422   b  becomes disengaged from the second threaded portion  465   b . In various instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can become disengaged from the first threaded portion  465   a  at the same time, or at substantially the same time, that the cutting member  440  becomes engaged with the third threaded portion  465   c . In other instances, the proximal slide  422   a  can become disengaged from the first threaded portion  465   a  before or after the cutting member  440  becomes engaged with the third threaded portion  465   c.    
     After the knife  440  has been sufficiently advanced by the shaft  464  to incise the tissue T and/or incise the cartridge  412 , the knife  440  can be retracted by rotating the shaft  464  in a second, or opposite, direction. In such instances, the knife  440  can travel back along the third threaded portion  465   c  until it returns to its pre-staged position in which it is no longer threadably engaged with the third threaded portion  465   c . Similarly, the rotation of the shaft  464  in the second direction can return the proximal slide  422   a  and the distal slide  422   b  to their unactuated positions and allow the anvil  410  to be reopened. In certain instances, the cutting member  440  can contact the proximal slide  422   a  as the cutting member  440  is being retracted in order to nudge the proximal slide  422   a  back onto the first threaded portion  465   a . In various instances, the end effector  406  can further include a threaded member configured to ride on the shaft  464  and nudge the distal slide  422   b  back onto the second threaded portion  465   b . In any event, the threaded portions of the shaft  464  can have the same thread pitch. In such instances, the portions of the end effector  406  displaced by the shaft  464  can move at the same speed. In other instances, one or more of the threaded portions of the shaft  464  can have a different thread pitch wherein, as a result, one or more of the components of the end effector  406  can move at different speeds for a given rotational speed of the shaft  464 . 
     As the reader will appreciate, the end effector  406  includes a single rotational drive input which can close the anvil  410  in a first stage, deform the staples  14  in a second stage, and advance the knife  440  in a third stage. In certain instances, one or more of these stages may occur consecutively. In at least one instance, one or more of these stages may not overlap with each other. In various instances, one or more of these stages may occur simultaneously. In at least one instance, one or more of these stages may at least partially overlap with one or more other stages. In some instances, it may be desired for the staple forming stage to at least partially occur before the cutting stage. In other instances, it may be desired for the staple forming stage to be completed before the cutting stage begins. Such an embodiment may be desired in order to prevent the tissue T from being cut prior to being stapled. As described in greater detail below, certain embodiments can include two or more drive systems to perform the various operating stages of an end effector. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment of a shaftless end effector  506  comprising a shaftless closure mechanism and a shaftless firing mechanism. The shaftless end effector  506  comprises a first jaw member  508   a  and a second jaw member  508   b . The first jaw member  508   a  comprises an anvil  510  having a staple forming surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets therein. The second jaw member  508   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  542  configured to receive a staple cartridge  512  therein. The first jaw member  508   a  and the second jaw member  508   b  are pivotally coupled. The first jaw member  508   a  comprises a pin  515  coupled to a slot  516  formed in the lower jaw member  508   b . The pin  515  allows the first jaw member  508   a  to move pivotally and vertically with respect to the second jaw member  508   b.    
     A rotatable shaft  564  extends longitudinally through the lower jaw member  508   b . The rotatable shaft  564  is coupled to a proximal slide  522   a  and a distal slide  522   b  of the closure mechanism  520 . The proximal slide  522   a  and the distal slide  522   b  can each comprise a cam  530 . Each cam  530  can comprise an angle configured to interface with one or more beveled surfaces formed on the first jaw  8   a . The rotatable shaft  564  comprises a drive end  566  which can be attached to a rotatable drive input, such as rotatable drive input  568 , for example. Similar to the above, the rotatable drive input  568  can rotate the shaft  564  which can, in turn, move the proximal slide  522   a  and the distal slide  522   b  longitudinally towards a center point of the end effector  506 . The movement of the proximal slide  522   a  and the distal slide  522   b  longitudinally towards the center point of the shaftless end effector  506  brings the cams  530  into contact with the first jaw  8   a  in order to drive the anvil  510  into contact with the staple cartridge  512 . The anvil  510  can compress the staple cartridge  512  and deploy the staples  14  through the target tissue “T”, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Such a system can comprise a first drive system of the end effector  506  configured to close the anvil  510  and fire the staples  14  in the end effector  506 . 
     Further to the above, the end effector  506  can include a second drive system configured to incise the tissue T and/or the staple cartridge  512 . Referring primarily to  FIGS. 23 and 26 , the shaftless end effector  506  can comprise a cutting member, such as cutting member  540 , for example. The cutting member  540  can be longitudinally deployable within a channel formed in the second jaw member  508   b  and/or the staple cartridge  512 . In various instances, the cutting member  540  can include a longitudinal aperture, or clearance aperture,  570  extending therethrough. The drive shaft  564  can extend through the clearance aperture  570  and the drive shaft  564  may not be operably engaged with the cutting member  540 . In various instances, the proximal slide  522   a  can include a drive connector  576  extending therefrom. The drive connection  576  can include an aperture  571  defined therein which can be configured to receive a rod  580 . The rod  580  can be positioned within a drive input  578  wherein the drive input  578  can be attached to the drive connector  576 . Once the drive input  578  has been assembled to the drive connector  576 , the rod  580  can be advanced into the end effector  506  in order to engage the cutting member  540 , and/or a pusher member  541  positioned intermediate the rod  580  and the cutting member  540 . In various instances, the rod  580  and/or the pusher member  541  can abut the cutting member  540  and advance the cutting member  540  distally to incise the cartridge  512  and/or the tissue T captured between the cartridge  512  and the anvil  510 . In certain instances, the rod  580  can be retracted and the cutting member  540  can be left in its advanced position. In other instances, the rod  580  can comprise a distal attachment portion which can be configured to engage the cutting member  540 , drive the cutting member  540  distally, and then pull the cutting member  540  proximally to its unfired position, for example. In at least one such embodiment, the cutting member  540  can include a socket defined therein configured to receive the attachment portion of the rod  580 . After the cutting member  540  has been retracted, the rod  580  can become detached from the cutting member  540  by applying a sufficient force thereto. 
     As the reader can appreciate, the first drive system of the end effector  506  can be configured to close the anvil  510  and fire the staples  14  while the second drive system of the end effector  506  can be configured to incise the tissue T captured within the end effector  506 . The first drive system and the second drive system can be operated independently of one another. For instance, the first drive system can be operated by a clinician wherein the clinician can decide whether to operate and/or when to operate the second drive system.  FIGS. 22, 25, and 26  illustrate the shaftless end effector  506  being transitioned between an open position and a fired position.  FIG. 22  illustrates the shaftless end effector  506  in an open position. Target tissue “T” is positioned between the anvil  510  and the staple cartridge  512 . The anvil  510  is pivoted from an open position to a partially-closed position by moving the anvil  510  with a grasper, for example. The drive input  568  can be attached to the drive end  566  of the shaft  564  and the drive input  578  can be attached to the drive connector  576  at any suitable moment during the use of the surgical instrument. In some instances, one or both of the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  can be attached to the end effector  506  before the end effector  506  is positioned within a surgical site. In various instances, one or both of the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  can be attached to the end effector  506  after the end effector  506  has been positioned within a surgical site. In certain instances, the drive input  568  can be assembled to the drive end  566  independently of the drive input  578  being assembled to the drive end  576 . In other instances, the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  can comprise an actuator assembly that can permit the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  to be assembled to the end effector  506  simultaneously. In use, the drive input  568  is actuated in order to rotate the rotatable shaft  564  and drive the proximal slide  522   a  and the distal slide  522   b  longitudinally towards a center point of the end effector  506 . As discussed above, the cams  530  on the proximal slide  522   a  and the distal slide  522   b  can contact the first jaw  8   a  to move the anvil  510  toward the staple cartridge  512  to form the staples as illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Also, in use, the drive input  578  is actuated in order to advance the firing member  540 . In certain instances, the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  can be operated sequentially. In at least one instance, the drive input  568  can be operated and then the drive input  578  can be operated. In certain instances, the drive input  578  may not be operated until after the operation of the drive input  568  has ended. In at least one such instance, the drive input  568  can be operated to completely form, or suitably form, the staples  14  before the drive input  578  is operated to advance the knife  540 . In various instances, the operation of the drive input  568  and the drive input  578  can at least partially overlap. In at least one such instance, the drive input  568  can be operated and, during the operation of the drive input  568 , the drive input  578  can be operated. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates an embodiment of an integrated closure and firing mechanism  680  for interfacing with a closure system  620  of the shaftless end effector  606  illustrated in  FIG. 28 . The end effector  606  comprises a first jaw member  608   a , a second jaw member  608   b , and a frame  694 . The first jaw member  608   a  comprises an anvil  610 . The second jaw member  608   b  comprises a longitudinal channel  642  configured to receive a staple cartridge  612  therein. Referring to  FIGS. 28, 30, and 32 , the first jaw member  608   a  and the second jaw member  608   b  are pivotally coupled by a pivot pin  615 . Referring primarily to  FIG. 32 , the pin  615  extends from the frame  694  and the first and second jaw members  608   a ,  608   b  are rotatably coupled to the frame  694  by the pin  615 . The first jaw member  608   a  and the second jaw member  608   b  are pivotally moveable with respect to a center axis “A”. A shaftless closure system  620  is located at the proximal end of the shaftless end effector  606 . The shaftless closure system  620  comprises a rotatable collar  690  comprising one or more threads  698  configured to rotatably interface with one or more threads  696  formed on the first jaw member  608   a  and the second jaw member  608   b . In at least one instance, the threads  696  can comprise a continuous set of threads which extends around a perimeter defined by the first jaw member  608   a  and the second jaw member  608   b . Rotation of the rotatable collar  690  in a first direction pivots the first jaw member  608   a  and/or the second jaw member  608   b  towards the central axis “A”, as illustrated in  FIG. 30 . Rotation of the collar  690  in a second, or opposite, direction pivots the first jaw member  608   a  and/or the second jaw member  608   b  away from the axis “A”, as illustrated in  FIG. 29 . As described in greater detail below, the collar  690  can include a connection portion that can be operably attached to a drive input. The end effector  606  can further include a cutting member  640  configured to incise the staple cartridge  612  and/or the tissue captured between the cartridge  612  and the anvil  610 . The cutting member  640  can include a connection portion, such as connection member  643 , for example, which extends proximally from the cutting portion  672  of the cutting member  640 . As described in greater detail below, the connection member  643  can be operably attached to a drive input. In various instances, the frame  694  can include a longitudinal aperture  693  defined therein wherein the connection member  643  can be slideably received within the aperture  693 . 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 27 , the firing mechanism  680  can include a frame  682 , a rotatable outer drive  686 , and a translatable inner drive  688 . Referring to  FIGS. 28-30 , the rotatable collar  690  can include an opening  695  defined therein which can be configured to receive the frame  682  of the firing mechanism  680 . In various instances, the frame  682  can be closely received within the opening  695 . In certain instances, the frame  682  can include a longitudinal aperture  681  defined therein which can be configured to receive at least a portion of the frame  694  of the end effector  604 . Similar to the above, the frame  694  can be closely received within the aperture  681  of the frame  682 . In various instances, the frame  694  and the frame  682  can be press-fit together. In certain instances, the frame  682  can be press-fit between the frame  694  and the collar  690 . In some instances, a bayonet connection can be formed between the frame  682  and the frame  694 . In at least one embodiment, the frame  694  can include one or more bayonet slots  692  defined therein which can each be configured to receive a post  699  extending inwardly from the frame  682 . In order to assemble the frame  682  to the frame  694 , the posts  699  can be positioned within the slots  692  and pushed distally until they reach a turn or bend in the slots  692 . At such point, the frame  682  can be rotated or twisted in order to lock the posts  699  within the slots  692 . In order to disconnect the frame  682  from the frame  694 , the frame  682  can be rotated in the opposite direction to move the posts  699  into an unlocked position such that the frame  682  can then be pulled proximally away from the frame  694 . 
     As discussed above, the collar  690  can comprise a connection portion. In various instances, the collar  690  can comprise one or more drive slots  691  defined therein which can be configured to receive at least a portion of the rotatable outer drive  686  of the firing mechanism  680 . In certain instances, the rotatable outer drive  686  can include one or more drive tabs  687  which can be positioned within the drive slots  691 . In at least one instance, the collar  690  can include a first drive slot  691  located on a first side of the collar  690  and a second drive slot  691  located on a second, or opposite, side of the collar  690  and, correspondingly, the rotatable outer drive  686  can include a first drive tab  687  positionable within the first drive slot  691  a second drive tab  687  positionable within the second drive slot  691 . In use, the drive tabs  687  can transmit rotational motion from the rotatable outer drive  686  to the rotatable collar  690 . In various instances, the drive tabs  687  can be closely received within the drive slots  691  such that the drive tabs  687  can engage the sidewalls of the drive slots  691  that they are positioned within. In use, the outer drive  686  can be rotated in a first direction in order to rotate the collar  690  in a first direction and close the end effector  606 . As outlined above, the outer drive  686  can be utilized to close the end effector  606 , compress the cartridge  612 , and deform the staples  14 . At any suitable point during the use of the end effector  606 , the outer drive  686  can be rotated in a second, or opposite, direction in order to rotate the collar in a second, or opposite, direction and open the end effector  606 . 
     As discussed above, the cutting member  640  can include a connection member  643 . In various instances, the connection member  643  can include a connection slot  644  defined therein which can be configured to receive at least a portion of the translatable inner drive  688  of the firing mechanism  680 . In certain embodiments, the inner drive  688  can include a drive end  684  which can be releasably retained in the connection slot  644 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the inner drive  688  can be inserted into the frame aperture  693  to connect the drive end  684  to the cutting member  640 . In use, the inner drive  688  can be pushed distally in order to push the cutting member  640  distally and transect the staple cartridge  612  and/or the tissue positioned between the staple cartridge  612  and the anvil  610 . In various instances, the inner drive  688  may be operated after the outer drive  686  is operated. In at least one such instance, the staples  14  can be completely formed before the cutting member  640  is advanced. In other instances, the inner drive  688  and the outer drive  686  can be operated simultaneously. 
     In use, the rotatable collar  690  may or may not be able to pivot the jaws  608   a  and  608   b  into their completely closed positions. Such instances can typically arise when the tissue captured between the jaws  608   a  and  608   b  is thick. In various embodiments, the cutting member  640  can include one or more gap-setting flanges, such as flanges  641   a  and  641   b , for example, which can facilitate the closure of the jaws  608   a  and  608   b . More particularly, the cutting member  640  can include a first gap-setting flange  641   a  which can be configured to engage the first jaw  608   a  as the cutting member  640  is advanced distally. In various instances, the first flange  641   a , the second flange  641   b , and the cutting portion  672  can comprise an I-shaped or I-beam configuration, for example. Referring primarily to  FIG. 31 , the first flange  641   a  can slide within a slot defined in the top surface of the first jaw  608   a . Similarly, the cutting member  640  can include a second gap-setting flange  641   b  which can be configured to engage the second jaw  608   b  as the cutting member  640  is advanced distally. Referring primarily to  FIG. 31 , the second flange  641   b  can slide within a slot defined in the top surface of the second jaw  608   b . As the cutting member  640  is advanced distally, the flanges  641   a  and  641   b  can control, or set, the distance between the first jaw  608   a  and the second jaw  608   b . In various instances, the tissue captured within the end effector  606 , the staple cartridge  612 , and/or a biasing spring of the end effector  606  can bias the jaws  608   a  and  608   b  outwardly against the flanges  641   a  and  641   b , respectively. Despite this outward bias, the cutting member  640  can move the jaws  608   a  and  608   b  inwardly and/or hold the jaws  608   a  and  608   b  in their fully-closed positions. Some embodiments are contemplated in which the advancement of the cutting member  640  may be sufficient to close the jaws  608   a  and  608   b , fire the staples  14 , and incise the tissue T, for instance. 
     The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application. 
     Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument can 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 are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility. 
     Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. 
     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. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.