Systems and methods for preventing tissue migration in surgical staplers

A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:

• (a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
• (i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
• (ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• (iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• (iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and
• (v) a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue;
• and
• (b) a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device includes a flexible sheath, wherein the flexible sheath is placed partially or completely around the proximal end of the upper jaw and the proximal end of the lower jaw while permitting opening and closing thereof.

A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:

• (a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
• (i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
• (ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• (iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• (iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and
• (v) a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue;
• and
• (b) a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device includes a post extending between the upper jaw and the lower jaw at a front end of the second tissue stop, wherein the post either rotates or telescopes when the upper jaw and the lower jaw open and close.

A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:

• (a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
• (i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
• (ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• (iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• (iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and
• (v) a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue;
• and
• (b) a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device includes a sacrificial band of compliant material, block of compliant material, or compliant balloon positioned between the proximal end of the upper jaw and the proximal end of the lower jaw.

A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:

• (a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
• (i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
• (ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• (iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• (iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and
• (v) a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue;
• and
• (b) a mechanism for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the mechanism stops the tissue cutting device before it reaches the no tissue zone and reverses its direction of travel toward the distal end of the lower jaw.

A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:

• (a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
• (i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
• (ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• (iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• (iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and
• (v) a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue;
• and
• (b) a mechanism for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the mechanism uses software or software and sensors associated with operation of the surgical stapler for detecting a presence of tissue within the no tissue zone and taking corrective action.

A method for preventing unwanted tissue migration in a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes an upper jaw having proximal end and a distal end;

• a lower jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper jaw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
• a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
• a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position;
• and a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue, the method comprising:
• providing a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented;
• or
• providing a mechanism for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented.