Patent ID: 11464513

Abstract:
A surgical stapling instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, an end effector, a first articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated in a first plane, a second articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated in a second plane, and a staple firing drive is disclosed. The end effector comprises a distal end, a proximal end, a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first iaw, and a staple cartridge. The staple firing drive comprises a firing member and a flexible drive tube extending through the first articulation joint and the second articulation joint. The firing member comprises a first cam, a second cam, and a round attachment aperture. The flexible drive tube comprises a longitudinal length, an outer circumference, a distal end seated in the round attachment aperture, and interlocking cuts in the outer circumference extending longitudinally and circumferentially.