Surgical system shaft interconnection

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• an end effector;
• an articulation joint;
• a proximal shaft assembly comprising a first proximal drive member;
• and
• a distal shaft assembly attachable to and detachable from said proximal shaft assembly, wherein said distal shaft assembly comprises a first distal drive member configured to be coupled to and decoupled from said first proximal drive member, wherein said first distal drive member is configured to be actuated through a drive stroke by said first proximal drive member to articulate said end effector, and wherein said drive stroke comprises:
• a first articulated position where said end effector is fully articulated in a first direction;
• a second articulated position where said end effector is fully articulated in a second direction which is opposite said first direction;
• an unarticulated position where said end effector is unarticulated, and wherein said unarticulated position is intermediate said first articulated position and said second articulated position;
• and
• a first home position,
• wherein said first proximal drive member and said first distal drive member are configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each other when said first proximal drive member and said first distal drive member are in said first home position, wherein said first home position is not at said first articulated position, said second articulated position, or said unarticulated position, wherein said proximal shaft assembly further comprises a second proximal drive member and said distal shaft assembly further comprises a second distal drive member, wherein said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are configured to be coupled and decoupled when said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are in a second home position, wherein said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are movable through a firing stroke, and wherein said second home position is not at the beginning of said firing stroke.

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• a proximal shaft assembly comprising a proximal drive member;
• and
• a distal shaft assembly attachable to and detachable from said proximal shaft assembly, wherein said distal shaft assembly comprises a distal drive member configured to be coupled to and decoupled from said proximal drive member, wherein said distal drive member is configured to be actuated through a drive stroke by said proximal drive member to actuate a function of said surgical instrument assembly, and wherein said drive stroke comprises:
• a beginning of stroke position;
• an end of stroke position distal to said beginning of stroke position;
• at least one interval drive stroke position corresponding to at least one specific event of said function of said surgical instrument assembly, wherein said at least one interval drive stroke position is distal to said beginning of stroke position and proximal to said end of stroke position;
• and
• a park position, wherein said proximal drive member and said distal drive member are configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each other when said proximal drive member and said distal drive member are in said park position, wherein said park position is not at said beginning of stroke position, said end of stroke position, or said at least one interval drive stroke position, and wherein said park position is proximal to said beginning of stroke position.

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• a proximal shaft assembly comprising a proximal drive member;
• and
• a distal shaft assembly attachable to and detachable from said proximal shaft assembly, wherein said distal shaft assembly comprises a distal drive member configured to be coupled to and decoupled from said proximal drive member, wherein said distal drive member is configured to be actuated through a drive stroke by said proximal drive member to actuate a function of said surgical instrument assembly, and wherein said drive stroke comprises:
• a beginning of stroke position;
• an end of stroke position distal to said beginning of stroke position;
• at least one interval drive stroke position corresponding to at least one specific event of said function of said surgical instrument assembly, wherein said at least one interval drive stroke position is distal to said beginning of stroke position and proximal to said end of stroke position;
• and
• a park position, wherein said proximal drive member and said distal drive member are configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each other when said proximal drive member and said distal drive member are in said park position, and wherein said park position is not at said beginning of stroke position, said end of stroke position, or said at least one interval drive stroke position, and
• a control system, wherein said proximal drive member and said distal drive member are automatically moved to said beginning of stroke position by said control system after said proximal shaft assembly and said distal shaft assembly are attached.

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• an end effector;
• a proximal shaft assembly, comprising:
• an elongate shaft insertable through a trocar;
• and
• a first proximal drive member;
• and
• a distal shaft assembly attachable to and detachable from said proximal shaft assembly, wherein said distal shaft assembly comprises a first distal drive member configured to be coupled to and decoupled from said first proximal drive member, wherein said first distal drive member is configured to be actuated through a drive stroke by said first proximal drive member to articulate said end effector, and wherein said drive stroke comprises:
• a first articulated position where said end effector is fully articulated in a first direction;
• a second articulated position where said end effector is fully articulated in a second direction which is opposite said first direction;
• a central position where said end effector is aligned with said elongate shaft such that said end effector can be inserted through the trocar, and wherein said central position is between said first articulated position and said second articulated position;
• and
• a first home position,
• wherein said first proximal drive member and said first distal drive member are configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each other when said first proximal drive member and said first distal drive member are in said first home position, wherein said first home position is not at said first articulated position, said second articulated position, or said central position, wherein said proximal shaft assembly further comprises a second proximal drive member and said distal shaft assembly further comprises a second distal drive member, wherein said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are configured to be coupled and decoupled when said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are in a second home position, wherein said second proximal drive member and said second distal drive member are movable through a firing stroke, and wherein said second home position is not at the beginning of said firing stroke.