Surgical stapling instrument having a spent cartridge lockout
US6988649B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/07285
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures simultaneously severs and staples tissue clamped in an end effector comprising an elongate channel, which holds a staple cartridge, and a pivotally attached anvil. 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 lockout mechanism of the staple cartridge responds to the presence of the wedge sled in its unfired position to allow the firing bar to fire. Otherwise, the lockout mechanism prevents firing when the staple cartridge is spent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.