Insertable deactivator element for surgical stapler lockouts

A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:

• a surgical stapling device, comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
• a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position during a staple firing stroke;
• and
• an authentication lockout movable between a locked position wherein said authentication lockout prevents operation of said surgical stapling device and an unlocked position wherein said surgical stapling device is operable, wherein said authentication lockout is configured to move from said locked position to said unlocked position when unlockingly interfacing with an authentication key associated with a staple cartridge that is operably seated within one of said first and second jaws, and wherein said surgical stapling assembly further comprises a deactivator insert configured to be inserted into said surgical stapling device to retain said authentication lockout in said unlocked position prior to seating the staple cartridge into said one of said first and second jaws.

A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:

• a surgical stapling device, comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open and a closed position;
• and
• a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position during a staple firing stroke;
• and
• an authentication lockout movable between a locked position wherein said authentication lockout prevents operation of said surgical stapling device and an unlocked position wherein said surgical stapling device is operable, wherein said authentication lockout is configured to move from said locked position to said unlocked position when unlockingly interfacing with an authentication key associated with a staple cartridge that is operably seated within one of said first and second jaws, and wherein said surgical stapling assembly further comprises:
• a handheld deactivator tool configured to move said authentication lockout to said unlocked position prior to seating the staple cartridge into one of said first and second jaws;
• and
• means for retaining said authentication lockout in said unlocked position after said handheld deactivator tool has been removed from engagement with said authentication lockout and prior to seating the staple cartridge into said one of said first and second jaws.