Surgical stapling instrument having an electroactive polymer actuated single lockout mechanism for prevention of firing
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle portion operably configured to produce a firing motion;
an elongate shaft attached to the handle portion;
a firing bar received for reciprocating longitudinal motion in the elongate shaft to transfer the firing motion;
an end effector distally attached to the elongate shaft, forming an implement portion, the end effector responsive to the firing bar to perform a surgical operation;
control circuitry operably configured to produce a firing signal; and
an electrical lockout mechanism positioned in the implement portion responsive to the firing signal to change state between a blocking position and a nonblocking position to the firing bar.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes an E-beam firing bar engages the channel and selectively engages the anvil during distal firing movements, wherein the tissue is severed and stapled driven upward from the staple cartridge to form against the anvil. In particular, a wedge integral to the staple cartridge is driven distally by a middle pin of the firing bar to effect stapling. A single lockout of the staple channel responds to the presence of the wedge sled in its unfired position to allow the firing bar to fire. Otherwise, the single lockout prevents firing when the staple cartridge is missing or spent. Further, some versions include an Electroactive Polymer (EAP) actuator that presents an abutting surface, or acts as a trapdoor to a ramped recess in a staple channel to block the firing bar, as an active approach to preventing firing for one or more conditions.
407 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle portion operably configured to produce a firing motion;
an elongate shaft attached to the handle portion;
a firing bar received for reciprocating longitudinal motion in the elongate shaft to transfer the firing motion;
an end effector distally attached to the elongate shaft, forming an implement portion, the end effector responsive to the firing bar to perform a surgical operation;
control circuitry operably configured to produce a firing signal; and
an electrical lockout mechanism positioned in the implement portion responsive to the firing signal to change state between a blocking position and a nonblocking position to the firing bar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle portion operably configured to produce a firing motion;
an staple channel coupled to the handle portion;
an anvil pivotally attached to the staple channel;
a staple device engaged by the staple channel and including a plurality of staple drivers to cam the staple drivers toward the anvil;
a wedge member proximal to and longitudinally aligned with the staple drivers;
a firing device responsive to the firing motion to drive the wedge member distally;
a lockout device positioned in the staple channel and operably configured to actuate in response to an electrical signal to prevent distal movement of the firing device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle portion operably configured to produce a firing motion;
an elongate shaft attached to the handle portion;
a firing bar received for reciprocating longitudinal motion in the elongate shaft to transfer the firing motion;
an end effector distally attached to the elongate shaft, forming an implement portion, the end effector responsive to the firing bar to perform a surgical operation;
a means for electrically actuating a firing bar lockout device in the implement portion positioned to block the firing bar.
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Specification