# US 2017/0281187 A1 · Surgical stapling system comprising a tissue compression lockout > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281187 A1 - Document ID: US20170281187A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,295 - 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; Jason L. Harris; Jerome R. Morgan; Christopher C. Miller; Brian Dinardo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281187A1 ## 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 instrument comprising a lockout is disclosed. ## 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; a firing drive configured to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing drive; 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; and a lockout configured to prevent said firing drive from performing said firing stroke until said closure drive and said anvil have applied a compression force to said cartridge body which exceeds a threshold force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said lockout comprises a lock element movable between a locked position and a unlocked position, wherein said lock element is engaged with said firing drive when said lock element is in said locked position, and wherein said lock element is disengaged from said firing drive when said lock element is in said unlocked position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stapling assembly of claim 2, wherein said lockout comprises a cam plate, wherein said closure drive is configured to contact and push said cam plate proximally during said closure stroke, and wherein said cam plate is configured to engage said lock element and displace said lock element from said locked position to said unlocked position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The stapling assembly of claim 3, wherein said lockout further comprises a frame plate and a spring positioned intermediate said cam plate and said frame plate, wherein said spring is configured to resiliently oppose the proximal movement of said closure drive, and wherein said spring comprises a stiffness selected such that said cam plate does not displace said lock element into said unlocked position until said compression force exceeds said threshold force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a processor, wherein said firing drive comprises an electric motor and a firing member operably coupled with said electric motor, wherein said lockout comprises a switch circuit in communication with said processor, and wherein said closure drive is configured to interact with said switch circuit during said closure stroke once said compression force has exceeded said threshold force. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stapling assembly of claim 5, wherein said switch circuit comprises a pressure switch, and wherein said closure drive is configured to contact said pressure switch during said closure stroke. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cutting member, wherein said firing drive is configured to move said cutting member between a retracted position and an exposed position to incise the tissue, wherein said cutting member is positioned in said staple cartridge when said cutting member is in said retracted position, and wherein said cutting member extends above said staple cartridge when said cutting member is in said exposed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The stapling assembly of claim 7, further comprising an anvil opening lockout, wherein said anvil opening lockout is configured to prevent said closure drive from moving said anvil away from said staple cartridge to alleviate said compression force when said cutting member is in said exposed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The stapling assembly of claim 7, further comprising an anvil opening lockout, wherein said anvil opening lockout is configured to prevent said closure drive from moving said anvil away from said staple cartridge to alleviate said compression force unless said cutting member is in said retracted position. ### Claim 10 A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, comprising: a staple cartridge, comprising: an annular cartridge body; staple cavities arranged in annular rows in said annular cartridge body; and staples removably stored in said staple cavities; a firing drive configured to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke; a closure drive configured to clamp the tissue against said cartridge body during a closure stroke; and a lockout configured to prevent said firing drive from performing said firing stroke until said closure drive has applied a compressive pressure to the tissue and said cartridge body which exceeds a threshold pressure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said lockout comprises a lock element movable between a locked position and a unlocked position, wherein said lock element is engaged with said firing drive when said lock element is in said locked position, and wherein said lock element is disengaged from said firing drive when said lock element is in said unlocked position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The stapling assembly of claim 11, wherein said lockout comprises a cam plate, wherein said closure drive is configured to contact and push said cam plate proximally during said closure stroke, and wherein said cam plate is configured to engage said lock element and displace said lock element from said locked position to said unlocked position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The stapling assembly of claim 12, wherein said lockout further comprises a frame plate and a spring positioned intermediate said cam plate and said frame plate, wherein said spring is configured to resiliently oppose the proximal movement of said closure drive, and wherein said spring comprises a stiffness selected such that said cam plate does not displace said lock element into said unlocked position until said compressive pressure exceeds said threshold pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The stapling assembly of claim 11, wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a processor, wherein said firing drive comprises an electric motor and a firing member operably coupled with said electric motor, wherein said lockout comprises a switch circuit in communication with said processor, and wherein said closure drive is configured to interact with said switch circuit during said closure stroke once said compressive pressure has exceeded said threshold pressure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The stapling assembly of claim 14, wherein said switch circuit comprises a pressure switch, and wherein said closure drive is configured to contact said pressure switch during said closure stroke. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The stapling assembly of claim 10, further comprising a cutting member, wherein said firing drive is configured to move said cutting member between a retracted position and an exposed position to incise the tissue, wherein said cutting member is positioned in said staple cartridge when said cutting member is in said retracted position, and wherein said cutting member extends above said staple cartridge when said cutting member is in said exposed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The stapling assembly of claim 16, further comprising an anvil opening lockout, wherein said anvil opening lockout is configured to prevent said closure drive from moving said anvil away from said staple cartridge to alleviate said compression pressure when said cutting member is in said exposed position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The stapling assembly of claim 17, further comprising an anvil opening lockout, wherein said anvil opening lockout is configured to prevent said closure drive from moving said anvil away from said staple cartridge to alleviate said compression pressure unless said cutting member is in said retracted position. ### 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; firing means for ejecting said staples from said staple cavities; an anvil configured to deform said staples; closure means for applying a clamping pressure to the tissue against said cartridge body; and lockout means for assessing the clamping pressure applied to the tissue by said closure means and for preventing said firing means from firing said staples until said closure means has applied a sufficient clamping pressure to the tissue.