Surgical stapling instruments with lockout arrangements for preventing firing system actuation when a cartridge is spent or missing

US10154841B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Lauren S. Weaner · Cincinnati, US
• Adam D. Hensel · Cincinnati, US
• Austin E. Wise · Cincinnati, US
• Daniel V. Jones · Milford, US
• Josiah J. Brinkerhoff · Cincinnati, US
• Michael W. Goldenbogen · Xenia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 18, 2018
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0818
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical end effector includes a cartridge support member that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. The surgical instrument further includes a longitudinally movable firing beam that extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A firing beam locking assembly comprising a biasing member is operably supported on the articulation joint and is configured to apply a biasing motion to the firing beam to bias the firing beam into a locked position wherein the firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member.