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Interlock and surgical instrument including same

  • US 8,632,535 B2
  • Filed: 06/03/2010
  • Issued: 01/21/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for preventing operation of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument configured for removably receiving an expendable staple cartridge and comprising a moveable cutting instrument and a motor to actuate the cutting instrument in response to a current therethrough, the method comprising:

  • mechanically blocking actuation of the cutting instrument by the motor in the absence of an unexpended staple cartridge in the instrument;

    detecting the current through the motor resulting from the blocked actuation of the cutting instrument; and

    interrupting the current through the motor based on the detected current.

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