US 11,925,353 B2
Surgical stapling instrument comprising internal passage between stapling cartridge and elongate channel
Thomas W. Huitema, West Chester, OH (US); Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Geoffrey C. Hueil, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Jason L. Harris, Lebanon, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/531,969.
Application 17/531,969 is a continuation of application No. 14/318,996, filed on Jun. 30, 2014, granted, now 11,517,315, issued on Dec. 6, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/980,284, filed on Apr. 16, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2022/0079595 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); G06F 11/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/105 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0644 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 90/03 (2016.02); G06F 11/1425 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00057 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07235 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07242 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 17/07292 (2013.01); A61B 2090/034 (2016.02); A61B 2090/038 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0801 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02); A61B 2090/309 (2016.02)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
a housing;
an elongate shaft extending from said housing, wherein said elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
an articulation joint;
an end effector rotatably coupled to said elongate shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises:
an elongate channel, comprising:
a first upstanding wall;
a second upstanding wall;
a lateral wall intermediate said first upstanding wall and said second upstanding wall, wherein said first upstanding wall, said second upstanding wall, and said lateral wall define a U-shaped opening; and
a bottom, wherein said bottom includes a proximal end and a distal end;
a replaceable staple cartridge, wherein at least a portion of said staple cartridge is seatable in said U-shaped opening of said elongate channel; and
an anvil;
a motor-driven firing element translatable distally from a proximal position adjacent said proximal end to a fired position during a firing motion, wherein said motor-driven firing element comprises:
a vertical portion;
a first cam configured to engage said anvil during said firing motion;
a second cam; and
a lateral shoulder extending laterally from said vertical portion;
wherein said elongate channel further comprises:
an internal passage extending within said elongate channel, wherein said internal passage extends under said lateral wall, wherein said bottom extends under said internal passage, wherein said internal passage is configured to receive said second cam during at least a portion of said firing motion, and wherein said bottom extends under said second cam during at least a portion of said firing motion;
a proximal channel opening through said proximal end of said bottom of said elongate channel, wherein said proximal channel opening facilitates viewing of said motor-driven firing element therethrough when said motor-driven firing element is in said proximal position; and
a sloped surface configured to guide said second cam into said internal passage upon the initiation of said firing motion.