Surgical stapler with fixed jaw support pin

A surgical instrument comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
• and
• (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
• (i) a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure includes:
• (A) a proximal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion is configured to support a cartridge housing,
• (B) a distal end portion spaced distally apart from the proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion is configured to support an anvil, and
• (C) a gap defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion,
• wherein the end effector is operable to actuate the cartridge housing and the anvil relative to one another to clamp and staple tissue positioned within the gap, and
• (ii) a guide pin fixed relative to the supporting structure, wherein the guide pin extends longitudinally through the distal end portion, across the gap, and into the proximal end portion, wherein the guide pin is configured to guide relative movement between the cartridge housing and the anvil.

A surgical instrument comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
• and
• (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
• (i) a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure includes:
• (A) a proximal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion is configured to support a cartridge housing,
• (B) a distal end portion spaced distally apart from the proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion is configured to support an anvil, and
• (C) a gap defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion,
• wherein the end effector is operable to actuate the cartridge housing and the anvil relative to one another to clamp and staple tissue positioned within the gap, and
• (ii) a guide pin having a proximal pin end and a distal pin end, wherein the proximal pin end is fixed within the proximal end portion and the distal pin end is fixed within the distal end portion, wherein the guide pin is configured to guide relative movement between the cartridge housing and the anvil.

A surgical instrument comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
• and
• (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
• (i) a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure includes:
• (A) a proximal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion is configured to support a cartridge housing,
• (B) a distal end portion spaced distally apart from the proximal end portion, wherein the distal end portion is configured to support an anvil, and
• (C) a gap defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion,
• wherein the end effector is operable to actuate the cartridge housing and the anvil relative to one another to clamp and staple tissue positioned within the gap,
• (ii) a cartridge removably disposed within the supporting structure, wherein the cartridge includes:
• (A) a cartridge housing having a plurality of staples, and
• (B) an anvil configured to deform the staples, and
• (iii) a guide pin fixed relative to the supporting structure, wherein the guide pin extends proximally through the distal end portion, the anvil, the gap, the cartridge housing, and the proximal end portion, wherein the guide pin is configured to guide relative movement between the cartridge housing and the anvil.