# US 2017/0281179 A1 · Surgical stapling system comprising an unclamping lockout

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2017/0281179 A1
- Document ID: US20170281179A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/089,300
- Filed: 2016-04-01
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Christopher C. Miller; Jason L. Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281179A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- 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 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling}
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)}
- A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation
- A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples}
- A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133})
- A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
- A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position}
- A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets}
- A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation}
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site}
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action}
- A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display}
- A61B 2017/00305: {Constructional details of the flexible means}
- A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means}
- A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system}
- A61B 2017/00946: {malleable}
- A61B 2017/00964: {composite}
- A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads}
- A61B 2017/07221: {curved}
- A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples}
- A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials}
- A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material}
- 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 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion}
- A61B 2017/2905: {flexible}
- A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston}
- A61B 2017/292: {connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess}
- A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages}
- 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 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members}
- A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means}
- A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself}
- A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs}
- A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus}
- A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument}
- A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge configured to staple the tissue of a patient and a cutting member configure to incise the tissue. The stapling instrument further comprises an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue against the staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to deform the staples when the staples are ejected from the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the stapling instrument comprises a lockout configured to prevent the cutting member from incising the tissue until after the staples have been formed. In at least one embodiment, the stapling instrument comprises a lockout configured to prevent the anvil from being opened while the cutting member is exposed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, comprising:
a staple cartridge, comprising:
an annular cartridge body;
staple cavities arranged in annular rows in said cartridge body; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a closure drive configured to move said anvil from an open position to a closed position during a closure stroke to compress the tissue against said cartridge body, wherein said closure drive is configured to move said anvil from said closed position to said open position during an opening stroke;
a firing member configured to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke, wherein said firing stroke is performed after said closure stroke of said closure drive, wherein said firing member is retracted during a retraction stroke, and wherein said retraction stroke is performed after said firing stroke of said firing member; and
a lockout configured to lock said closure drive and prevent said closure drive from performing said opening stroke before said retraction stroke of said firing member is completed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said firing member activates said lockout during said firing stroke.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said firing member deactivates said lockout during said retraction stroke.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member including a cutting surface configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate said anvil and said cartridge body, wherein said cutting member is stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, wherein said firing member is configured to push said cutting member toward said anvil during said firing stroke, and wherein said cutting surface emerges from said cartridge body during said firing stroke.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The stapling assembly of claim 4, wherein said cutting surface is retracted into said cartridge body during said retraction stroke of said firing member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member including a cutting surface configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate said anvil and said cartridge body, wherein said cutting member is stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, wherein said cutting member is movable toward said anvil during a cutting stroke, wherein said cutting surface emerges from said cartridge body during said cutting stroke, and wherein said cutting stroke occurs at the same time as said firing stroke.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The stapling assembly of claim 6, wherein said cutting surface is retracted into said cartridge body during said retraction stroke of said firing member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member including a cutting surface configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate said anvil and said cartridge body, wherein said cutting member is stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, wherein said cutting member is movable toward said anvil during a cutting stroke, wherein said cutting edge surface from said cartridge body during said cutting stroke, and wherein said cutting stroke occurs after said firing stroke.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The stapling assembly of claim 8, wherein said cutting surface is retracted into said cartridge body during said retraction stroke of said firing member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The stapling assembly of claim 8, wherein said cutting surface is retracted into said cartridge body during a cutting retraction stroke which is separate and distinct from said retraction stroke of said firing member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member including a cutting surface configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate said anvil and said cartridge body, wherein said cutting member is stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, wherein said cutting member is movable toward said anvil during a cutting stroke, wherein said cutting surface emerges from said cartridge body during said cutting stroke, and wherein said cutting stroke occurs after said retraction stroke.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The stapling assembly of claim 11, wherein said cutting surface is retracted into said cartridge body during a cutting retraction stroke which is separate and distinct from said retraction stroke of said firing member.

### Claim 13

A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, comprising:
a staple cartridge, comprising:
an annular cartridge body;
staple cavities arranged in annular rows in said cartridge body; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a closure drive configured to move said anvil from an open position to a closed position to compress the tissue against said cartridge body during a closure stroke of said closure drive, wherein said closure drive is configured to move said anvil from said closed position to said open position during an opening stroke of said closure drive;
a cutting member comprising a cutting edge configured to incise the tissue captured between said anvil and said cartridge body during a cutting stroke, wherein said cutting stroke is performed after said closure stroke, wherein said cutting member is retracted within said cartridge body during a retraction stroke, and wherein said retraction stroke is performed after said cutting stroke; and
a lockout configured to lock said closure drive and prevent said closure drive from performing said opening stroke before said retraction stroke of said cutting member is completed.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The stapling assembly of claim 13, wherein said lockout comprises:
a switch arm movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein said switch arm is engaged with said closure drive when said switch arm is in said locked configuration; and
a spring configured to bias said switch arm into said locked configuration, wherein said cutting member is engaged with said switch arm when said cutting member is in a retracted position, wherein said cutting member holds said switch arm in said unlocked configuration when said cutting member is in said retracted position, and wherein said cutting member disengages from said switch arm and said spring biases said switch arm into said locked configuration when cutting surface emerges from said cartridge body.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The stapling assembly of claim 14, wherein said cutting member re-engages said switch arm during said retraction stroke to return said switch arm into said unlocked configuration and disengage said switch arm from said closure drive.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The stapling assembly of claim 13, wherein said lockout comprises:
a switch arm movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein said switch arm is engaged with said closure drive when said switch arm is in said locked configuration; and
a spring configured to bias said switch arm into said locked configuration, wherein said cutting member is engaged with said switch arm when said cutting member is in a retracted position, wherein said cutting member holds said switch arm in said unlocked configuration when said cutting member is in said retracted position, and wherein said cutting member disengages from said switch arm and said spring biases said switch arm into said locked configuration during said cutting stroke.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The stapling assembly of claim 16, wherein said cutting member re-engages said switch arm during said retraction stroke to return said switch arm into said unlocked configuration and disengage said switch arm from said closure drive.

### Claim 18

A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, comprising:
a staple cartridge, comprising:
an annular cartridge body;
staple cavities arranged in annular rows in said cartridge body; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a closure drive configured to move said anvil from an open position to a closed position to compress the tissue against said cartridge body during a closure stroke of said closure drive, wherein said closure drive is configured to move said anvil from said closed position to said open position during an opening stroke of said closure drive;
a cutting member comprising a cutting edge stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, and wherein said cutting edge is configured to emerge from said cartridge body during a cutting stroke; and
means for preventing said closure drive from performing said opening stroke while said cutting edge is not stored within said cartridge body.

### Claim 19

A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, comprising:
a staple cartridge, comprising:
an annular cartridge body;
staple cavities arranged in annular rows in said cartridge body; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a closure drive configured to move said anvil from an open position to a closed position to compress the tissue against said cartridge body during a closure stroke of said closure drive, wherein said closure drive is configured to move said anvil from said closed position to said open position during an opening stroke of said closure drive;
a cutting member comprising a cutting edge stored within said cartridge body during said closure stroke, and wherein said cutting edge is configured to protrude from said cartridge body during a cutting stroke; and
means for preventing said closure drive from performing said opening stroke while said cutting edge protrudes from said cartridge body.