Closure system arrangements for surgical cutting and stapling devices with separate and distinct firing shafts

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein;
• an anvil movably supported relative to said elongate channel for selective movement between open and closed positions relative to said elongate channel;
• a firing drive shaft rotatably supported in one of said anvil and said elongate channel;
• a firing member operably interfacing with said firing drive shaft such that rotation of said firing drive shaft causes said firing member to move between a starting position and an ending position;
• and
• an elongate shaft assembly operably interfacing with said elongate channel and comprising:
• a distal power shaft separate and distinct from said firing drive shaft and supported proximal to said elongate channel and being configured for selective operable engagement with said firing drive shaft;
• and
• a closure member supported for axial travel on a proximal end portion of said elongate channel, said closure member configured for selective threaded engagement with a portion of said distal power shaft such that rotation of said distal power shaft causes said closure member to apply closing and opening motions to at least one of said elongate channel and said anvil.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein;
• an anvil movably supported relative to said elongate channel for selective movement between open and closed positions relative to said elongate channel;
• a firing drive shaft rotatably supported in one of said anvil and said elongate channel;
• a firing member operably interfacing with said firing drive shaft such that rotation of said firing drive shaft in a first rotary direction causes said firing member to move from a starting position to an ending position and rotation of said firing drive shaft in a second rotary direction causes said firing member to move from said ending position to said starting position, said firing member comprising camming portions configured to engage said elongate channel and said anvil to maintain a desired space therebetween when said firing member is moving from said starting position to said ending position;
• and
• an elongate shaft assembly operably interfacing with said elongate channel and comprising:
• a distal power shaft separate and distinct from said firing drive shaft and supported proximal to said elongate channel for rotational travel in said first rotary direction and said second rotary direction, said distal power shaft configured for selective operable engagement with said firing drive shaft;
• and
• a closure tube supported for axial travel on a proximal end portion of said elongate channel, said closure tube configured for selective threaded engagement with a portion of said distal power shaft such that rotation of said distal power shaft in said first rotary direction causes said closure tube to move distally on said proximal end portion of said elongate channel into camming contact with said anvil to apply a closing motion thereto and rotation of said distal power shaft in said second rotary direction causes said closure tube to move in a proximal direction out of camming contact with said anvil to permit said anvil to move to said open position.