Staple firing member comprising a missing cartridge and/or spent cartridge lockout

• US 10,881,401 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2016
• Issued: 01/05/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Baber, Daniel L., Fanelli, Nicholas, Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Bakos, Gregory J., Harris, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wittenschlaeger, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US15/385,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20180168605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00991 Telescopic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• 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 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

Surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising missing staple cartridge and/or spent cartridge lockouts. In various instances, such lockouts are positioned in a shaft of the surgical stapling instruments.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending from said shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing assembly movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises;

a coupling portion configured to engage said first jaw and said second jaw during said firing stroke;

a firing bar configured to push said coupling portion; and

a lockout bar comprising a distal lockout end, wherein said lockout bar is translatable between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position;

a lock in said shaft, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said distal locked position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge positionable in said first jaw, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said lockout bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said first jaw and said sled is in said proximal unfired position.

2. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to bias said lockout bar into said distal locked position.

3. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to bias said lock into engagement with said firing bar.

4. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 3, wherein said lockout bar comprises a key configured to engage said lock and disengage said lock from said firing bar against said bias of said spring.

5. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a detent configured to releasably hold said sled in said proximal unfired position when said sled engages said lockout bar.

6. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending from said shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing assembly movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises;

a coupling portion configured to engage said first jaw and said second jaw during said firing stroke;

a firing bar configured to push said coupling portion; and

a lockout bar comprising a distal lockout end, wherein said lockout bar is movable between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position;

a lock in said shaft, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said distal locked position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge positionable in said first jaw, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said lockout bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said first jaw and said sled is in said proximal unfired position;

wherein said coupling portion comprises an aperture, and wherein said distal lockout end extends through said aperture.

7. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending from said shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing assembly movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises;

a coupling portion configured to engage said first jaw and said second jaw during said firing stroke;

a firing bar configured to push said coupling portion; and

a lockout bar comprising a distal lockout end, wherein said lockout bar is movable between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position;

a lock in said shaft, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said distal locked position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge positionable in said first jaw, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said lockout bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said first jaw and said sled is in said proximal unfired position;

wherein said lockout bar is slidable within said firing bar.

8. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending from said shaft, said end effector comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing assembly movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises;

a coupling portion configured to engage said first jaw and said second jaw during said firing stroke;

a firing bar configured to push said coupling portion; and

a lockout bar comprising a distal lockout end, wherein said lockout bar is movable between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position;

a lock in said shaft, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said distal locked position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge positionable in said first jaw, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said lockout bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said first jaw and said sled is in said proximal unfired position;

wherein said lockout bar travels with said firing bar during said firing stroke.

9. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 8, wherein said firing bar is retractable after said firing stroke, and wherein said lockout bar travels with said firing bar when said firing bar is retracted.

10. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 9, wherein said sled is not retracted with said firing bar and said lockout bar.

11. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein said lockout bar cannot be reset into its proximal unlocked position until said staple cartridge is removed from said first jaw and an unspent staple cartridge is positioned in said first jaw.

12. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing assembly movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises;

a firing bar; and

a lockout bar, wherein said lockout bar is translatable between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position relative to said firing bar;

a lock, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said distal locked position, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar prior to said firing stroke when said lockout bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge loadable into said end effector, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said lockout bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said end effector and said sled is in said proximal unfired position.

13. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing bar translatable away from said distal jaw end between a distal unlocked position and a proximal unlocked position, wherein said firing bar is then movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke;

a lock, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar when said firing bar is in said distal locked position to prevent said firing stroke, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar when said firing bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge loadable into said end effector, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said firing bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said end effector and said sled is in said proximal unfired position.

14. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said firing bar into said distal locked position.

15. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said lock into engagement with said firing bar.

16. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, wherein said firing bar is retractable after said firing stroke, and wherein said sled is not retracted with said firing bar.

17. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, wherein said cartridge body comprises a detent configured to:

releasably hold said sled in said proximal unfired position when said sled engages said firing bar to move said firing bar into said proximal unlocked position; and

permit said firing bar to move said sled through said firing stroke.

18. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, further comprising a shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said shaft, and wherein said lock is positioned in said shaft.

19. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw comprising a distal jaw end; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing bar movable away from said distal jaw end between a distal unlocked position and a proximal unlocked position, wherein said firing bar is then movable toward said distal jaw end during a firing stroke;

a lock, wherein said lock is engaged with said firing bar when said firing bar is in said distal locked position to prevent said firing stroke, and wherein said lock is disengaged from said firing bar when said firing bar is in said proximal unlocked position; and

a staple cartridge loadable into said end effector, wherein said staple cartridge comprises;

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position to eject said staples from said cartridge body during said firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to push said firing bar into said proximal unlocked position when said staple cartridge is loaded into said end effector and said sled is in said proximal unfired position;

wherein said firing bar comprises a key configured to engage said lock and disengage said lock from said firing bar against a bias of said firing bar.