Patent ID: 7380696

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle portion operable to produce a firing motion; and an implement portion responsive to the firing motions from the handle portion, the implement portion comprising: an elongate channel comprising a distal end and a proximal end and coupled to the handle portion and including a channel slot defining a longitudinal firing axis, a staple cartridge received by the elongate channel and incorporating a proximally positioned wedge member aligned to cam upward a driver supporting a staple, an anvil pivotally comprising a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the proximal end of the elongate channel and including an anvil channel, a firing device including a distally presented cutting edge longitudinally received between the elongate channel and the anvil, an upper member engageable to the anvil channel, a lower member engaging the channel slot, and a middle member operable to actuate the staple cartridge by distally translating the wedge member of the staple cartridge, the firing device positively engaging both the elongate channel and the anvil during movement along the longitudinal firing axis of the firing device to provide spacing therebetween for staple formation, an articulation joint proximally coupled to the elongate channel, a firing strip proximally attached to the firing device for transferring the firing motion from the handle portion through the articulation joint; and an interfacing portion between the firing device and strip formed with a selected one of a group consisting of the firing device and the strip comprising a female recess and the other one of the group comprising a male termination engaged to the female recess for forming an attachment having longitudinal structural strength: wherein the firing device is configured to affirmatively space the anvil from the elongate channel during longitudinal travel between the anvil and elongate channel by including a lower portion having an upper surface and a lower surface that slidingly engage the elongate channel; wherein the lower member of the firing device comprises a lower pin having the upper surface abutting the elongate channel and the middle member comprises a middle pin having the lower surface opposingly abutting the elongate channel.