Surgical stapling instrument with multistroke firing incorporating an anti-backup mechanism
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation;
a shaft distally connected to the end effector;
a firing member slidingly receiving by the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector between an unfired position and a fully fired position; and
an anti-backup mechanism comprising;
a locking plate including an aperture circumferentially encompassing the firing member, the locking plate pivotal between a locking position wherein the aperture lockingly engages the firing member and an unlocking position wherein the aperture slidingly engages the firing member, a locking device responsive to the firing member having traversed from the unfired position toward the fully fired position to tilt the locking plate to the locked position, and a retract mechanism responsive to a retract condition to position the locking plate to the unlock position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic procedures incorporates a handle that produces separate closing and firing motions to actuate an end effector. In particular, the handle produces multiple firing strokes in order to reduce the required amount of force required to fire (i.e., staple and sever) the end effector. A linked transmission reduces the required handle longitudinal length, yet achieves a rigid, strong configuration when straightened for firing. A traction biased firing mechanism avoids binding in driving this straightened linked rack in cooperation with an anti-backup mechanism, with a lockout mechanism that prevents releasing the closure trigger during firing. Furthermore, an external indicator gives feedback to the surgeon as to how far firing has progressed, as well as providing a manual retraction capability.
290 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation;
a shaft distally connected to the end effector;
a firing member slidingly receiving by the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector between an unfired position and a fully fired position; and
an anti-backup mechanism comprising;
a locking plate including an aperture circumferentially encompassing the firing member, the locking plate pivotal between a locking position wherein the aperture lockingly engages the firing member and an unlocking position wherein the aperture slidingly engages the firing member, a locking device responsive to the firing member having traversed from the unfired position toward the fully fired position to tilt the locking plate to the locked position, and a retract mechanism responsive to a retract condition to position the locking plate to the unlock position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation;
a shaft distally connected to the end effector;
a firing member slidingly receiving by the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector; and
a handle proximally connected to the shaft and firing member, comprising;
a rack distally coupled to the firing member, a firing control responsive to an operator to move in a firing direction and a return direction, a firing mechanism operably configured to couple the firing control to the rack to impart the firing motion in response to the firing direction and to uncouple the firing control from the rack in response to the return direction, and a locking mechanism operably configured to impede firing member motion in the return direction in response to the firing member having traveled between an initial, unfired position and a fired position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector responsive to a longitudinal firing motion to perform a surgical operation;
a shaft distally connected to the end effector;
a firing member slidingly receiving by the shaft to transfer the firing motion to the end effector between an proximal unfired position and a distal fully fired position; and
an anti-backup mechanism including a locking plate having an aperture circumferentially encompassing the firing member, the anti backup mechanism biasing the locking plate into locking engagement with the firing member in response to the firing motion and out of locking engagement with the firing member just prior to the fully fired position, said locking engagement allowing distal movement of said firing member and preventing proximal movement of said firing member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification