Powered surgical instrument including a rotary drive screw

A powered surgical instrument, comprising:

• a housing comprising a motor configured to generate a rotary motion;
• an elongate shaft extending from said housing;
• an articulation joint extending from said elongate shaft;
• a coupling member extending from said articulation joint;
• a longitudinal centerline axis defined by said elongate shaft, wherein said centerline axis extends through said elongate shaft and said articulation joint;
• a rotary drive member configured to rotate in response to said rotary motion from said motor, wherein said rotary drive member is a unitary, one-piece drive member, and wherein said rotary drive member extends along said centerline axis within a portion of said articulation joint and within a portion of said elongate shaft;
• and
• a stapling attachment releasably attachable to said coupling member, wherein said stapling attachment is attached to said coupling member by rotating one of said stapling attachment and said coupling member relative to the other of said stapling attachment and said coupling member, and wherein said stapling attachment comprises:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
• an elongate channel configured to receive a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
• a drive screw operably couplable with said rotary drive member when said stapling attachment is attached to said coupling member, wherein said drive screw is laterally offset from said centerline axis when said stapling attachment is attached to said coupling member, and wherein said drive screw is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said rotary drive member when said stapling attachment is attached to said coupling member;
• and
• an I-beam operably engaged with said drive screw, wherein said I-beam is advanced distally within said stapling attachment when said drive screw is rotated.

A powered surgical instrument, comprising:

• a housing;
• a shaft assembly extending from said housing, wherein said shaft assembly comprises:
• an elongate shaft extending from said housing;
• an articulation joint extending from said elongate shaft;
• a longitudinal centerline axis defined by said elongate shaft, wherein said centerline axis extends through said elongate shaft and said articulation joint;
• a rotary drive member configured to rotate in response to a rotary motion from an electric motor, wherein said rotary drive member extends along said centerline axis within a portion of said articulation joint and within a portion of said elongate shaft;
• and
• a connection end, wherein said articulation joint is positioned intermediate said elongate shaft and said connection end;
• and
• a stapling attachment releasably attachable to said connection end of said shaft assembly, wherein said stapling attachment is secured to said connection end by rotating said stapling attachment relative to said connection end, and wherein said stapling attachment comprises:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
• a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
• a drive screw operably couplable with said rotary drive member when said stapling attachment is mounted to said connection end of said shaft assembly, wherein said drive screw is laterally offset from said centerline axis when said stapling attachment is mounted to said connection end, and wherein said drive screw is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of said rotary drive member after said stapling attachment has been mounted to said connection end of said shaft assembly;
• and
• a firing member operably engaged with said drive screw, wherein said firing member is advanced distally within said stapling attachment when said drive screw is rotated.