Linear cutting and stapling device with selectively disengageable cutting member

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw member configured to operably support a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples stored therein, wherein at least one of said first jaw member and the staple cartridge is configured to slidably support a staple driver configured to deploy the staples from the staple cartridge;
• a second jaw member removably couplable to said first jaw member for selectively clamping tissue therebetween, said second jaw member having an anvil portion configured to deform the staples when the staples are deployed from the staple cartridge;
• at least one pusher bar configured to move the staple driver relative to said first jaw member and said second jaw member;
• an actuator knob extending from said at least one pusher bar and being movable toward distal ends of said first and second jaw members;
• a knife bar operably supported relative to said actuator knob;
• and
• selector means interacting with said actuator knob and said knife bar for selectively engaging said knife bar with said actuator knob such that when said actuator knob is moved toward said distal ends of said first and second jaw members, said knife bar and said at least one pusher bar are advanced toward said distal ends of said first and second jaw members, said selector means further configured to selectively disengage the knife bar from said actuator knob such that when said actuator knob is moved toward said distal ends of said first and second jaw members, said at least one pusher bar is advanced toward said distal ends of said first and second jaw members without said knife bar being advanced therewith.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw member configured to operably support a staple cartridge that has a plurality of staples therein;
• a second jaw member coupled to said first jaw member for selectively clamping tissue therebetween;
• at least one pusher member assembly configured to selectively apply a firing motion to the staples supported in the staple cartridge as said at least one pusher member assembly is distally advanced through the staple cartridge;
• a knife member configured to cut tissue clamped between said first and second jaw members;
• and
• a selector operably interfacing with said knife member, and being movable between a deactivated position wherein said at least one pusher member assembly is configured to move without moving said knife member therewith, and an activated position which enables said knife member and said at least one pusher member assembly to move simultaneously.

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw member configured to operably support a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples stored therein, wherein at least one of said first jaw member and the staple cartridge is configured to slidably support a staple driver configured to deploy the staples from the staple cartridge;
• a second jaw member coupled to said first jaw member for selectively clamping tissue therebetween, said second jaw member having an anvil portion configured to deform the staples when the staples are deployed from the staple cartridge;
• at least one pusher member configured to move the staple driver relative to said first jaw member and said second jaw member;
• a knife member configured to cut tissue clamped between said first and second jaw members;
• an actuator operably engaged to said at least one pusher member;
• and
• an activator for selectively engaging said knife member with said actuator such that when said activator is activated, said actuator actuates said knife member and said at least one pusher member simultaneously, and when the activator is deactivated, said actuator engages said at least one pusher member without engaging said knife member therewith.