Cutting mechanisms for surgical end effector assemblies, instruments, and systems

An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system, the end effector assembly comprising:

• first and second jaw members each including a proximal flange and a distal body having a tissue-treating surface and defining a longitudinally-extending channel;
• a pivot coupling the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members such that at least one of the first or second jaw members is pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position;
• a clutch disposed at the pivot and transitionable from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition;
• a knife;
• a spring operably coupled between the knife and the clutch,
• wherein the clutch is initially disposed in the engaged condition with the knife positioned proximally of the distal bodies of the first and second jaw members, and wherein, upon transition of the clutch to the disengaged condition, the spring is extended distally to urge the knife distally between the first and second jaw members and through the longitudinally-extending channels thereof.

An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system, the end effector assembly comprising:

• first and second jaw members each including a proximal flange and a distal body having a tissue-treating surface and defining a longitudinally-extending channel;
• a pivot coupling the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members such that at least one of the first or second jaw members is pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position;
• a knife;
• and
• a clutch mechanism disposed about the pivot and operably coupled to the knife, the clutch mechanism transitionable from an engaged condition to a disengaged condition,
• wherein the clutch mechanism is initially disposed in the engaged condition with the knife positioned proximally of the distal bodies of the first and second jaw members, and wherein, upon transition of the clutch mechanism to the disengaged condition, the knife is urged distally between the first and second jaw members and through the longitudinally-extending channels thereof.