Surgical end effectors with firing element monitoring arrangements
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A surgical end effector, comprising:
- an elongate channel including a bottom including a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate channel being configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein;
a firing element configured to translate between a starting position adjacent the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel;
a proximal channel opening through the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the starting position; and
a distal channel opening through the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the ending position, and wherein a portion of the bottom of the elongate channel extending between the proximal channel opening and the distal channel opening is closed and has no other openings therethrough.
4 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical end effector including an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein and a firing element configured to move within the elongate channel between a starting and an ending position. Various arrangements include openings through the bottom of the elongate channel to permit viewing of the firing element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. An anvil may be supported for movable travel relative to the elongate channel and include a plurality of openings therethrough to permit viewing of the cutting element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. Various arrangements include a firing bar attached to the firing element that serves to move the firing element between the starting and ending position. The firing bar may be movably supported with a hollow shaft that has a plurality of openings therethrough for monitoring the position of the firing bar.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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an elongate channel including a bottom including a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate channel being configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein; a firing element configured to translate between a starting position adjacent the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel; a proximal channel opening through the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the starting position; and a distal channel opening through the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the ending position, and wherein a portion of the bottom of the elongate channel extending between the proximal channel opening and the distal channel opening is closed and has no other openings therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge; an anvil comprising a staple forming surface and an exterior surface, wherein a plurality of discrete apertures are defined through said anvil from said exterior surface to said staple forming surface; a firing element configured to translate between a starting position and an ending position within the elongate channel; and an indicator movably supported in each of the discrete apertures in the anvil, each indicator being movable within the corresponding aperture between a first position within the aperture and a second position wherein a portion of the indicator protrudes from the corresponding aperture upon contact with a portion of the firing element. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A surgical end effector comprising:
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a hollow shaft; an elongate channel operably interfacing with the hollow shaft and being configured to operably support a staple cartridge; a firing element configured to translate between a starting position adjacent a proximal end of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent a distal end of the elongate channel; an elongate firing bar coupled to the firing element and movably supported within the hollow shaft; at least one status mark on the elongate firing bar; and a plurality of indicator openings through a portion of the hollow shaft to provide viewing of the at least one status mark on the elongate firing bar as the elongate firing bar is moved within the hollow shaft.
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22. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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an elongate channel including a bottom including a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate channel being configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein; a firing element configured to translate between a first position adjacent the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel, the firing element including a vertical portion and at least one laterally extending lower foot; an internal passage extending within the elongate channel and configured to receive the at least one laterally extending lower foot when the firing element moves between the first position and ending position; a proximal channel opening through the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the first position, the proximal channel opening sized to receive therein the at least one laterally extending lower foot on the firing element; and means for guiding the at least one lower foot on the firing element out of the proximal channel opening into the internal passage upon initial application of a firing motion to the firing element. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification