Closure systems for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
• an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is rotatably mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier to define a pivot axis about which said anvil can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil includes a proximal end rotatably mounted to said staple cartridge carrier and a distal end movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier, said anvil further having a cam surface proximal to said pivot axis and facing said staple cartridge carrier;
• and
• an actuator operably engaged with said anvil to rotate said anvil from said open position into said closed position when said actuator is retracted away from said distal end of said anvil, wherein said actuator includes a cam configured to contact said cam surface when said cam is slid away from said distal end of said anvil and wherein said cam includes an arcuate profile having an apex, and wherein said apex is configured to be in contact with said anvil when said anvil is in said closed position.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge having a deck surface and least one staple stored therein;
• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support said staple cartridge;
• an anvil having a proximal end and a distal end and including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said distal end of said anvil is closer to said deck surface than said proximal end of said anvil when said anvil is in its closed position and wherein said anvil and staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a first perimeter when said anvil is in said closed position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position to define said first perimeter, said drive member configured to be advanced from said proximal end of said anvil toward said distal end of said anvil to deploy staples from said staple cartridge;
• and
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and displace said anvil toward said staple cartridge carrier such that said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier define a second perimeter which is smaller than said first perimeter.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge having a deck surface and including at least one staple stored therein;
• an anvil having a proximal end and a distal end and including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge, and wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position such that said distal end of said anvil is closer to said deck surface than said proximal end of said anvil when said anvil is in its closed position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position, said drive member being configured to be advanced from said proximal end of said anvil toward said distal end of said anvil to deploy staples from the staple cartridge;
• and
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and move said anvil into a collapsed position, wherein said anvil is closer to said staple cartridge when said anvil is in said collapsed position than when said anvil is in said closed position.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
• an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil and staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a first perimeter when said anvil is in said closed position;
• a spring configured to displace said anvil between said closed position and said open position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position to define said first perimeter;
• and
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and displace said anvil toward said staple cartridge carrier such that said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier define a second perimeter which is smaller than said first perimeter.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
• an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil and staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a first perimeter when said anvil is in said closed position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position to define said first perimeter;
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and displace said anvil toward said staple cartridge carrier such that said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier define a second perimeter which is smaller than said first perimeter;
• and
• a spring configured to displace said anvil away from the staple cartridge after said actuator has been operably disengaged from said anvil.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge including at least one staple stored therein;
• an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge, and wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position;
• a spring configured to displace said anvil between said closed position and said open position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position;
• and
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and move said anvil into a collapsed position, wherein said anvil is closer to said staple cartridge when said anvil is in said collapsed position than when said anvil is in said closed position.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge including at least one staple stored therein;
• an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is movably mounted relative to said staple cartridge, and wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position;
• a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to operably engage said anvil and move said anvil from said open position into said closed position;
• an actuator movable relative to said anvil and said drive member, wherein said actuator is configured to operably engage said anvil independently of said drive member and move said anvil into a collapsed position, wherein said anvil is closer to said staple cartridge when said anvil is in said collapsed position than when said anvil is in said closed position;
• and
• a spring configured to displace said anvil away from said staple cartridge after said actuator has been operably disengaged from said anvil.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
• an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is pivotally mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a pivot axis about which said anvil can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil includes a proximal end rotatably mounted to said staple cartridge carrier and a distal end movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier;
• and
• an actuator operably engaged with said anvil to rotate said anvil from said open position into said closed position when said actuator is retracted away from said distal end of said anvil, wherein said actuator includes a cam, wherein said cam includes an arcuate profile having an apex, and wherein said apex is configured to be in contact with said anvil when said anvil is in said closed position, said actuator being configured to move said cam from a distal side of said pivot axis to a proximal side of said pivot axis to move said anvil from said open position into said closed position.

A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
• an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is pivotably mounted to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a pivot axis about which said anvil can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil includes a proximal end rotatably mounted to said staple cartridge carrier and a distal end movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier;
• and
• an actuator operably engaged with said anvil to rotate said anvil from said open position into said closed position when said actuator is retracted away from said distal end of said anvil, wherein said actuator includes a cam, wherein said cam includes an arcuate profile having an apex, and wherein said apex is configured to be in contact with said anvil when said anvil is in said closed position, said actuator being configured to move said cam from a distal end of said pivot axis to a proximal side of said pivot axis to move said anvil from said open position to said closed position.