Surgical stapling loading unit with stroke counter and lockout
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical loading unit, which comprises:
- an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
an end effector mounted to the distal end of the outer frame;
a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively coupled to the end effector, the drive adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential firing strokes to operate the end effector;
a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, the rotatable counter having visual indicators for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive;
a counter actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter through an arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive; and
a cam actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to operatively engage the counter actuator to cause release of the counter actuator from the rotatable counter upon longitudinal movement of the drive through each successive return stroke.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical loading unit for use with a handle assembly includes an elongate outer frame, an end effector mounted to a distal end of the outer frame, a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively coupled to the end effector, and a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis. A counter actuator is mounted to the drive and dimensioned to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter through an arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive.
1981 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A surgical loading unit, which comprises:
-
an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends; an end effector mounted to the distal end of the outer frame; a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively coupled to the end effector, the drive adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential firing strokes to operate the end effector; a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, the rotatable counter having visual indicators for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive; a counter actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter through an arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive; and a cam actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to operatively engage the counter actuator to cause release of the counter actuator from the rotatable counter upon longitudinal movement of the drive through each successive return stroke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A surgical loading unit, which comprises:
-
an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted for coupling with the handle assembly; a staple assembly mounted to the distal end of the outer frame, the staple assembly including a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil, the anvil adapted for movement relative to the staple cartridge between an open position to receive tissue and an approximated position to clamp tissue; a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively couplable to the staple assembly, the drive adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential strokes to eject at least one staple from the staple cartridge for crimping by the anvil when in the approximated position thereof; a rotatable counter and lockout mechanism including; a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement through an arc segment of rotation upon movement of the drive through each firing stroke; at least one visual indicator associated with the rotatable counter for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive; a lock member positionable to engage the drive upon rotatable movement of the rotatable counter through a predetermined number of arc segments corresponding to a predetermined number of firing strokes completed by the drive; a counter actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the counter through an arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive; and a cam actuator mounted to the drive and dimensioned to operatively engage the counter actuator to cause release of the counter actuator from the rotatable counter upon longitudinal movement of the drive through each successive return stroke. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification