Patent ID: 7819299

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle; a trigger operably coupled to said handle, wherein said trigger comprises a contact portion configured to be directly manipulated by a user of the surgical instrument; a closure drive operatively engaged with said trigger, wherein said closure drive is configured to generate a closing motion upon a first actuation of said trigger, and wherein said first actuation defines a beginning and, an end of a closing stroke of said trigger; a trigger return mechanism configured to return said trigger after said closing stroke; a firing drive, wherein said firing drive is not operably engaged with said trigger prior to said first actuation of said trigger, wherein said firing drive is configured to engage said trigger as a result of said first actuation, wherein said firing drive is configured to generate a firing motion upon a second actuation of said trigger, wherein said second actuation defines a beginning and an end of a firing stroke of said trigger, and wherein said first actuation of said trigger is independent from said second actuation of said trigger; an elongate shaft assembly coupled to said handle, wherein said elongate shaft assembly is operably engaged with said firing drive; and an end effector coupled to said elongate shaft assembly, said end effector comprising: an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein; an anvil movably coupled to said elongate channel, wherein said anvil is operably engaged with said closure drive and is movably responsive to said closing motion; and a cutting member operably supported within said elongate channel, wherein said cutting member is operably engaged with said elongate shaft assembly and is responsive to said firing motion from said firing drive and not responsive to said closing motion from said closing drive, wherein said elongate shaft assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft, and wherein said firing drive is configured to transmit rotary firing motion to said drive shaft.