Surgical stapling device with lockout system for preventing actuation in the absence of an installed staple cartridge

A surgical stapling instrument comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongate shaft assembly operably coupled to the handle;
• a closure system operably supported by the handle for generating closing and opening motions in response to actuation of a closure trigger operably supported by the handle;
• an elongate channel coupled to the elongate shaft assembly;
• an anvil including an anvil mounting portion movably supported on the elongate channel between an open position and closed positions in response to applications of opening and closing motions transmitted thereto through the elongate shaft assembly;
• an anvil lock member operably supported by the elongate shaft assembly for movable engagement with the anvil mounting portion;
• and
• a surgical staple cartridge configured to be seated within the elongate channel and cooperating with the anvil mounting portion such that:
• when the surgical staple cartridge has not been seated within the elongate channel, the anvil lock member cooperates with the anvil mounting portion to retain the anvil in the open position;
• and
• when the surgical staple cartridge is seated within the elongate channel, the staple cartridge moves the anvil mounting portion to a position wherein the anvil may be closed upon application of the closure motions thereto.

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge;
• a first jaw, wherein the staple cartridge is configured to be installed into the first jaw;
• a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw;
• and
• a lock system configured to prevent the relative movement between the first jaw and the second jaw before the staple cartridge is installed into the first jaw, and wherein the lock system is configured to permit relative movement between the first jaw and the second jaw when the staple cartridge is installed into the first jaw.

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• a staple cartridge;
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw;
• and
• a lock system configured to hold the second jaw in an open position, wherein the staple cartridge is configured to engage the lock system and unlock the second jaw such that the second jaw can be moved to a closed position.