US 11,882,987 B2
Articulating surgical stapling instrument incorporating a two-piece E-beam firing mechanism
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Michael E. Setser, Burlington, KY (US); and William B. Weisenburgh, II, Maineville, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/929,396.
Application 16/929,396 is a continuation of application No. 16/384,096, filed on Apr. 15, 2019.
Application 16/384,096 is a continuation of application No. 15/679,300, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,292,707, issued on May 21, 2019.
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. 16/929,396, filed on Jul. 15, 2020.
Application 16/929,396 is a continuation of application No. 16/384,096, filed on Apr. 15, 2019, granted, now 10,292,707, issued on May 21, 2019.
Application 16/384,096 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 2021/0000467 A1, Jan. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); 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)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
an elongate channel; and
an anvil operably coupled to said elongate channel, wherein said anvil and said elongate channel are configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein said anvil comprises an anvil slot;
a distal beam head movable between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein said distal beam head comprises:
a cutting edge;
an upper flange configured to slidably engage said anvil; and
a lower flange configured to slidably engage said elongate channel, wherein said upper flange and said lower flange are configured to affirmatively space said elongate channel and said anvil as said distal beam head moves toward said distal position;
an articulation joint;
a firing bar configured to transfer a firing motion to said distal beam head through said articulation joint, wherein said firing bar comprises a plurality of laminated strips, and wherein a thickness of said distal beam head is greater than a thickness of at least two strips of said plurality of laminated strips; and
a joint, wherein said firing bar is connected to said distal beam head at said joint.