Stapling system incorporating a firing lockout

• US 10,383,634 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2016
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Setser, Michael E., Weisenburgh, II, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US15/270,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20170007241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271754
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 : Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 : Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 : Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles

Abstract

A stapling system comprising an anvil comprising an anvil ledge, a channel comprising a channel ledge, a firing member, a replaceable unfired staple cartridge, and a locking member is disclosed. The firing member comprises a first projection configured to engage the anvil ledge and a second prosection configured to engage the channel ledge. The firing member is movable distally during a staple firing stroke. The replaceable unfired staple cartridge comprises staples, a vertical slot configured to receive the firing member during the staple firing stroke, and a sled comprising a central portion configured to slide within the vertical slot. The locking member is movable vertically and spring-biased into a locked configuration which inhibits the firing member from being advanced through the staple firing stroke when a previously-fired staple cartridge is assembled to the stapling system instead of the replaceable unfired staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil comprising an anvil ledge;

a channel comprising a channel ledge;

a firing bar comprising a first projection configured to engage said anvil ledge and a second projection configured to engage said channel ledge;

a replaceable unfired staple cartridge, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples;

a vertical slot extending longitudinally from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said vertical slot is configured to receive said firing bar during a staple firing stroke; and

a sled spanning across said vertical slot; and

a locking member movable vertically and spring-biased into a locked configuration which inhibits said firing bar from being advanced through said staple firing stroke when a previously-fired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system instead of said replaceable unfired staple cartridge;

wherein said sled comprises a central portion configured to slide within said vertical slot during said staple firing stroke, and wherein said central portion is configured to unlock said locking member.

2. The stapling system of claim 1, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing bar when said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

3. The stapling system of claim 1, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate said first projection and said second projection of said firing bar when said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

4. The stapling system of claim 1, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

5. The stapling system of claim 1, further comprising a frame, wherein said locking member is rotatable relative to said frame.

6. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil comprising a longitudinal anvil shoulder;

a channel comprising a longitudinal channel shoulder;

a firing bar comprising a first cam configured to engage said longitudinal anvil shoulder and a second cam configured to engage said longitudinal channel shoulder;

a replaceable unspent staple cartridge, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples;

a vertical slot extending longitudinally from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said vertical slot is configured to receive said firing bar during a staple firing stroke; and

a sled spanning from one lateral side of said vertical slot to another lateral side; and

a locking member movable vertically and spring-biased into a locked configuration which inhibits said firing bar from being advanced through said staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system instead of said replaceable unspent staple cartridge;

wherein said sled comprises a central portion configured to slide within said vertical slot during said staple firing stroke, and wherein said central portion is configured to unlock said locking member.

7. The stapling system of claim 6, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing bar when said replaceable unspent staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

8. The stapling system of claim 6, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate said first cam and said second cam of said firing bar when said replaceable unspent staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

9. The stapling system of claim 6, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said replaceable unspent staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

10. The stapling system of claim 6, further comprising a frame, wherein said locking member is rotatable relative to said frame.

11. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil comprising a longitudinal anvil shoulder;

a channel comprising a longitudinal channel shoulder;

a firing bar comprising a first cam configured to engage said longitudinal anvil shoulder and a second cam configured to engage said longitudinal channel shoulder;

a plurality of replaceable staple cartridges, wherein an unspent staple cartridge comprises;

a proximal end;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples;

a vertical slot extending longitudinally from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said vertical slot is configured to receive said firing bar during a staple firing stroke; and

a sled spanning from one lateral side of said vertical slot to another lateral side, wherein said sled is movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position, and wherein a said replaceable staple cartridge becomes spent when said sled is advanced distally from said proximal unfired position; and

a locking member movable vertically and spring-biased into a locked configuration which inhibits said firing bar from being advanced through said staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system;

wherein said sled comprises a central portion configured to slide within said vertical slot during said staple firing stroke, and wherein said central portion is configured to unlock said locking member.

12. The stapling system of claim 11, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing bar when a said replaceable staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

13. The stapling system of claim 11, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate said first cam and said second cam of said firing bar when a said replaceable staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

14. The stapling system of claim 11, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein a said replaceable staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

15. The stapling system of claim 11, further comprising a frame, wherein said locking member is rotatable relative to said frame.

16. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil comprising an anvil ledge;

a channel comprising a channel ledge;

a firing member comprising a first projection configured to engage said anvil ledge and a second projection configured to engage said channel ledge, wherein said firing member is movable distally during a staple firing stroke, and wherein said firing member is retractable proximally after said staple firing stroke;

a replaceable unfired staple cartridge, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples;

a vertical slot extending longitudinally from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said vertical slot is configured to receive said firing member during said staple firing stroke; and

a sled comprising a central portion configured to slide distally within said vertical slot during said staple firing stroke, wherein said sled is pushed distally by said firing member during said staple firing stroke, wherein said sled remains in a distal position when said firing member is retracted, and wherein said sled further comprises a proximal shoulder; and

a locking member movable vertically and spring-biased into a locked configuration which inhibits said firing member from being advanced through said staple firing stroke when a previously-fired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system instead of said replaceable unfired staple cartridge, wherein said proximal shoulder of said sled is configured to unlock said locking member.

17. The stapling system of claim 16, wherein said sled is positioned distal to said firing member when said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

18. The stapling system of claim 16, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate said first projection and said second projection of said firing member when said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

19. The stapling system of claim 16, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said replaceable unfired staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

20. The stapling system of claim 16, further comprising a frame, wherein said locking member is rotatable relative to said frame.