US 12,011,164 B2
Cartridge-based firing lockout mechanism for surgical stapler
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Kevin M. Fiebig, Cincinnati, OH (US); Adam D. Hensel, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Gregory J. Bakos, Mason, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/402,720.
Prior Publication US 2023/0051222 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical stapling instrument comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly extending along a longitudinal axis to a distal end;
(b) an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector includes:
(i) a first jaw having an anvil,
(ii) a second jaw configured to removably receive a staple cartridge, and
(iii) a driving assembly translatable distally along the longitudinal axis through the second jaw from a proximal-most position of the driving assembly for pivoting the second jaw toward the first jaw to clamp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw; and
(c) a lockout mechanism configured to transition between a first state in which the lockout mechanism prevents distal translation of the driving assembly through the second jaw from the proximal-most position of the driving assembly, and a second state in which the lockout mechanism permits distal translation of the driving assembly through the second jaw from the proximal-most position of the driving assembly,
wherein the lockout mechanism is configured to transition from the first state to the second state when the staple cartridge is removably received by the second jaw,
wherein the lockout mechanism comprises:
(i) a lever pivotably coupled to the second jaw, and
(ii) a protrusion fixedly coupled to the driving assembly,
wherein the lever is configured to selectively engage with the protrusion, wherein the lever is configured to engage the protrusion when the lockout mechanism is in the second state for permitting distal translation of the driving assembly through the second jaw, wherein the lever is configured to disengage the protrusion when the lockout mechanism in the first state for preventing distal translation of the driving assembly through the second jaw.