US 11,812,960 B2
Method of segmenting the operation of a surgical stapling instrument
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); and Jeffrey S. Swayze, West Chester, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/384,017.
Application 16/384,017 is a continuation of application No. 15/679,300, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,292,707.
Application 15/679,300 is a continuation of application No. 14/850,030, filed on Sep. 10, 2015, granted, now 9,737,303, issued on Aug. 22, 2017.
Application 14/850,030 is a continuation of application No. 14/521,748, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, granted, now 9,510,830, issued on Dec. 6, 2016.
Application 14/521,748 is a continuation of application No. 14/175,148, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, granted, now 9,282,966, issued on Mar. 15, 2016.
Application 14/175,148 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/369,601, filed on Feb. 9, 2012, granted, now 8,783,541, issued on Jul. 22, 2014.
Application 13/369,601 is a continuation of application No. 13/118,246, filed on May 27, 2011, granted, now 9,060,770, issued on Jun. 23, 2015.
Application 13/118,246 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/538,154, filed on Oct. 3, 2006, abandoned.
Application 13/118,246 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/384,017.
Application 16/384,017 is a continuation of application No. 15/679,300, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,292,707.
Application 15/679,300 is a continuation of application No. 14/850,030, filed on Sep. 10, 2015, granted, now 9,737,303, issued on Aug. 22, 2017.
Application 14/850,030 is a continuation of application No. 14/521,748, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, granted, now 9,510,830, issued on Dec. 6, 2016.
Application 14/521,748 is a continuation of application No. 14/175,148, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, granted, now 9,282,966, issued on Mar. 15, 2016.
Application 14/175,148 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/141,753, filed on Jun. 1, 2005, granted, now 8,905,977, issued on Dec. 9, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/591,694, filed on Jul. 28, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2019/0298360 A1, Oct. 3, 2019
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01); A61B 50/36 (2016.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/064 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 17/320092 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 50/20 (2016.02); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.02); A61B 50/36 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0688 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2923 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320052 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320093 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320097 (2017.08); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2034/302 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of segmenting the operation of a surgical stapling instrument, the surgical stapling instrument including an articulatable end effector movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a closure member moveable distally through a closure stroke to place the end effector in its closed configuration, a staple cartridge seated in the end effector, a firing member movable through a staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, the method comprising:
articulating the end effector between at least two positions;
cycling the closure member through the closure stroke;
cycling the firing member multiple times to advance the firing member to complete the staple firing stroke;
actuating a retraction actuator of the surgical stapling instrument to retract the firing member proximally; and
activating a closure release member of the surgical stapling instrument to place the end effector in its open configuration.