# US 11,998,198 B2 · Surgical stapling instrument incorporating a two-piece E-beam firing mechanism

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- Number: US 11,998,198 B2
- Document ID: US11998198B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/384,096
- Filed: 2019-04-15
- Published: 2019-10-10
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2004-07-28
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Michael E. Setser; William B. Weisenburgh, II
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998198B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue}
- A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00})
- A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil}
- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)}
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 50/20: Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02)
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 34/37: Leader-follower robots (A61B34/35 takes precedence)
- A61B 50/36: for collecting or disposing of used articles
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/0688: {Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/320052: {Guides for cutting instruments}
- A61B 2017/320093: {additional movable means performing cutting operation}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means}
- A61B 2017/320097: {with stapling means}
- A61B 2018/00607: {Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument}
- A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities}
- A61B 2090/0807: {Indication means}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge jaw comprising a channel, wherein the channel comprises a lockout recess defined therein. A staple cartridge is replaceably seated in the channel. A firing member is configured to distally advance a sled during a staple firing stroke. The firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage the anvil, a second portion configured to engage the cartridge jaw, and a lockout portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The lockout portion is configured to engage the lockout recess when the sled is not in a proximal position prior to the staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling instrument is unable to perform the staple firing stroke when the lockout portion engages the lockout recess.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil; and
a cartridge jaw comprising a channel;
a staple cartridge replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end;
staple cavities;
staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and
staple drivers configured to drive said staples toward said anvil during a staple firing stroke;
a sled movable from a proximal position to a distal position during said staple firing stroke;
a firing beam configured to distally advance said sled during said staple firing stroke, wherein said firing beam comprises:
a first lateral projection configured to engage said anvil; and
a second lateral projection configured to engage said cartridge jaw; and
a lockout configured to prevent the surgical stapling instrument from performing said staple firing stroke when said staple cartridge seated in said channel is spent, wherein said sled abuts said firing beam to permit the surgical stapling instrument to perform said staple firing stroke when said staple cartridge is seated in said channel and said sled is in the proximal position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1, further comprising:
a housing;
an elongate shaft extending from said housing; and
an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said elongate shaft about said articulation joint.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 2, wherein said elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said surgical stapling instrument further comprises a rotation interface configured to permit said elongate shaft to rotate about said longitudinal axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 3, further comprising:
a first articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a first direction, wherein said first articulation actuator is positioned on a first side of said longitudinal axis; and
a second articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said second direction is different than said first direction, wherein said second articulation actuator is positioned on a second side of said longitudinal axis, and wherein said second side is different than said first side.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 2, further comprising:
a first articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a first direction, wherein said first articulation actuator is positioned on a first side of said firing beam; and
a second articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said second direction is different than said first direction, wherein said second articulation actuator is positioned on a second side of said firing beam, and wherein said second side is opposite said first side.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 2, further comprising:
the housing;
the elongate shaft extending from said housing; and
a firing driver movable through at least a portion of said elongate shaft, wherein a firing motion is transmittable through said housing to said firing driver, and wherein said firing driver is configured to move said firing beam through said staple firing stroke in response to the firing motion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 6, wherein said firing driver comprises a flexible bar, and wherein said flexible bar extends through said articulation joint.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 7, wherein said flexible bar comprises a distal end fixed to said firing beam at a joint.

### Claim 9

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
a housing;
an elongate shaft extending from said housing;
an articulation joint;
an end effector rotatably coupled to said elongate shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises:
an anvil; and
a cartridge jaw comprising a channel;
a staple cartridge replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end;
staple cavities;
staples removably positioned in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are sequentially fired from said staple cavities during a staple firing stroke;
staple drivers configured to drive said staples toward said anvil during said staple firing stroke; and
a sled movable from a proximal position to a distal position during said staple firing stroke;
a firing member configured to distally advance said sled during said staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first lateral projection configured to engage said anvil;
a second lateral projection configured to engage said cartridge jaw; and
a third lateral projection positioned between said first lateral projection and said second lateral projection; and
a spent cartridge lockout configured to prevent said firing member from distally advancing to sequentially fire said staples when said staple cartridge seated in said channel is spent, wherein said sled abuts said firing member to permit the surgical stapling instrument to perform said staple firing stroke when said staple cartridge is seated in said channel and said sled is in the proximal position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 9, wherein said elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said surgical stapling instrument further comprises a rotation interface configured to permit said elongate shaft to rotate about said longitudinal axis.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 10, further comprising:
a first articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a first direction, wherein said first articulation actuator is positioned on a first side of said longitudinal axis; and
a second articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said second direction is different than said first direction, wherein said second articulation actuator is positioned on a second side of said longitudinal axis, and wherein said second side is different than said first side.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 10, further comprising:
a first articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a first direction, wherein said first articulation actuator is positioned on a first side of said firing member; and
a second articulation actuator operable to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said second direction is different than said first direction, wherein said second articulation actuator is positioned on a second side of said firing member, and wherein said second side is opposite said first side.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 10, further comprising a retraction actuator operable to retract said firing member after said staple firing stroke.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 9, further comprising a firing driver movable through at least a portion of said elongate shaft in response to a firing motion transmittable through said housing, wherein said firing driver is configured to move said firing member through said staple firing stroke in response to the firing motion.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 14, wherein said firing driver comprises a flexible bar, and wherein said flexible bar extends through said articulation joint.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 15, wherein said flexible bar comprises a distal end fixed to said firing member at a joint.

### Claim 17

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil; and
a cartridge jaw comprising a channel;
a staple cartridge replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end;
staple cavities;
staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and
staple drivers configured to drive said staples toward said anvil during a sequential staple firing stroke; and
a sled movable from a proximal position to a distal position during said sequential staple firing stroke;
a beam configured to distally advance said sled during said sequential staple firing stroke, wherein said beam comprises:
a first lateral projection configured to engage said anvil; and
a second lateral projection configured to engage said cartridge jaw; and
a spent cartridge lockout configured to prevent the surgical stapling instrument from performing said sequential staple firing stroke when said staple cartridge seated in said channel is spent, wherein said sled abuts said beam to permit the surgical stapling instrument to perform said sequential staple firing stroke when said staple cartridge is seated in said channel and said sled is in the proximal position.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 17, further comprising an elongate shaft and a firing driver movable through at least a portion of said elongate shaft, wherein a firing motion is transmittable to said firing driver, and wherein said firing driver is configured to move said beam through said sequential staple firing stroke in response to the firing motion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 18, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said firing driver comprises a flexible bar, and wherein said flexible bar extends through said articulation joint.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 19, wherein said flexible bar comprises a distal end fixed to said beam at a joint.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The surgical stapling instrument of claim 17, wherein said beam comprises a third lateral projection positioned between said first lateral projection and said second lateral projection.