Surgical instrument with laterally engageable locking device for locking firing actuator

Abstract

A surgical stapler is disclosed, the surgical stapler comprising: a firing beam; a firing bar movable to transition the firing beam from a proximal position to a distal position; and a firing latch including a first latch arm extending on a first lateral side of the firing bar. The firing bar includes a plurality of laminate strips. The plurality of laminate strips includes a central laminate strip and a first subset of laminate strips. A first notch is defined in the first subset of laminates. The first latch arm includes a first protrusion. The firing latch is configurable in a locked state in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess to prevent movement of the firing beam toward the distal position, and in a locked state in which the second protrusion is received in the second recess to prevent movement of the firing beam toward the distal position. And an unlocked state in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments designed to stapling and cutting tissue and staple cartridges for use therewith. Summary of the invention

[0002] According to the present disclosure, lockouts are used with surgical stapling and cutting instruments to ensure that certain conditions are met before allowing clinicians to cut and suture tissue with surgical stapling and cutting instruments. These lockouts ensure that patient tissue is not inadvertently cut and / or sutured before these conditions are met.

[0003] According to the present disclosure, a surgical stapler is disclosed, which includes: an end actuator, which includes an elongated channel; a firing beam; a firing rod, which is movable to cause the firing beam to transition from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout, which includes a first locking arm extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod. The firing rod includes a plurality of laminated strips. The plurality of laminated strips include a central laminated strip and a first subset of laminated strips extending on a first lateral side of the central laminated strip. A first recess is defined in the first subset of laminated strips. The first locking arm includes a first protrusion. The firing lockout can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

[0004] According to the present disclosure, a surgical stapler is disclosed, which includes: an end actuator, which includes a nail magazine, which includes a plurality of nails removably stored therein; a firing beam; a firing rod, which is movable to cause the firing beam to shift from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout. The firing rod includes a plurality of laminated strips. The plurality of laminated strips include a central laminated strip, a first subgroup of laminated strips extending on a first lateral side of the central laminated strip, and a second subgroup of laminated strips extending on a second lateral side of the central laminated strip. A first recess is defined in the first subgroup of laminated strips. A second recess is defined in the second subgroup of laminated strips. The firing lockout includes a body, a first locking arm extending from the body on a first lateral side of the firing rod, and a second locking arm extending from the body on a second lateral side of the firing rod. The first locking arm includes a first protrusion. The second locking arm includes a second protrusion. The firing lockout can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess and the second protrusion is received in the second recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first recess and the second protrusion is displaced from the second recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position. The nail magazine also includes a first key, the first key is configured to engage the first locking arm to displace the first protrusion from the first recess; and a second key, the second key is configured to engage the second locking arm to displace the second protrusion from the second recess, wherein the first key and the second key transition the firing lockout to the unlocked state.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, a surgical stapler is disclosed, which includes: an end effector; a firing beam; a firing rod, which can move to transform the firing beam from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lock. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw, and the second jaw can move between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The firing rod includes a plurality of laminated strips. The hole is defined as passing through a plurality of laminated strips. The firing lock includes a first locking arm extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod and a second locking arm extending on a second lateral side of the firing rod. The first locking arm includes a first protrusion. The second locking arm includes a second protrusion. The firing lock can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend in the hole to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are displaced from the hole to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, may be understood from the following description in conjunction with the following drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a surgical stapler including an end effector;

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an end effector and a staple cartridge;

[0009] Figure 3 The nail magazine was removed Figure 1 Another perspective view of the end effector;

[0010] Figure 4 is in closed position Figure 1 A front view of an end effector;

[0011] Figure 5 is in the open position Figure 1 A front view of an end effector;

[0012] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a staple cartridge, a firing assembly, and a locking member of a surgical stapler;

[0013] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 a perspective view of a latch; and

[0014] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A top cross-sectional view of the nail magazine, firing assembly and locking member.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same date as the present application and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

[0017] ● U.S. patent application titled “METHOD OF OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT”; attorney docket number END9484USNP2 / 220491-2M;

[0018] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS WITH ADAPTIVE STAPLE FIRING ALGORITHMS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP3 / 220491-3;

[0019] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “LEARNED TRIGGERS FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP4 / 220491-4;

[0020] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR ACTUATING MOTORIZED FUNCTION OF SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT UTILIZING INERTIAL DRIVE TRAIN PROPERTIES”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP5 / 220491-5;

[0021] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “PROPORTIONATE BALANCING OF THE FUNCTION IMPACT MAGNITUDE OF BATTERY OUTPUT TO PEAK MOTOR CURRENT”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP6 / 220491-6;

[0022] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “MOTOR OPTIMIZATION BY MINIMIZATION OF PARASITIC LOSSES AND TUNING MOTOR DRIVE CONFIGURATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP7 / 220491-7;

[0023] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD TO REDUCE PARASITIC LOSSES OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP8 / 220491-8;

[0024] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL TOOL WITH RELAXED FLEX CIRCUIT ARTICULATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP9 / 220491-9;

[0025] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “WIRING HARNESS FOR SMART STAPLER WITH MULTI AXIS ATTICULATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP10 / 220491-10;

[0026] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS ARRAY FOR POWER AND DATATRANSFER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP11 / 220491-11; and

[0027] ● U.S. patent application titled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING REPLACEABLE ELECTRONICS PACKAGE”;

[0028] Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP12 / 220491-12.

[0029] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same date as the present application and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

[0030] ● U.S. patent application titled “METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A STAPLE CARTRIDGE”; attorney docket number END9484USNP13 / 220491-13M;

[0031] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “CONTROL SURFACES ON A STAPLE DRIVER OF A SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP14 / 220491-14;

[0032] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “INTEGRAL CARTRIDGE STIFFENING FEATURES TO REDUCE CARTRIDGE DEFLECTION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP15 / 220491-15;

[0033] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WALL STRUCTURES TO REDUCE CARTRIDGE DEFLECTION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP16 / 220491-16;

[0034] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “PAN-LESS STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING RETENTION FEATURES FOR HOLDING STAPLE DRIVERS AND SLED”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP17 / 220491-17;

[0035] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SLED HAVING A DRIVER LIFT CAM”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP18 / 220491-18;

[0036] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH SLEDSCONFIGURED TO BECOUPLED TO A FIRING DRIVER OF A COMPATIBLE SURGICAL STAPLER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP19 / 220491-19;

[0037] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A COMPOSITESLED”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP20 / 220491-20;

[0038] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW AND FIRINGACTUATOR LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS LOCATEDPROXIMAL TO A JAW PIVOT LOCATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP21 / 220491-21;

[0039] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “DUAL INDEPENDENT KEYED LOCKING MEMBERSACTING ON THE SAMEDRIVE MEMBER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP23 / 220491-23;

[0040] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “ADJUNCTS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP24 / 220491-24;

[0041] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “ADJUNCTS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”; Attorney Docket Number END9484USNP25 / 220491-25;

[0042] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “JAW CONTROL SURFACES ON A SURGICALINSTRUMENT JAW”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP26 / 220491-26;

[0043] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “ZONED ALGORITHM ADAPTIVE CHANGES BASED ON CORRELATION OF COOPERATIVE COMPRESSION CONTRIBUTIONS OF TISSUE”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP27 / 220491-27;

[0044] ● U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES COMPRISING TRACE RETENTION FEATURES”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP29 / 220491-29; and

[0045] ●U.S. patent application titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES COMPRISING STAPLE RETENTION FEATURES”; attorney docket number END9484USNP30 / 220491-30.

[0046] Many specific details are listed herein to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described in the specification and shown in the drawings. Well-known operations, parts, and elements are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and shown herein are non-limiting examples, so that it can be recognized that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein can be representative and illustrative. These embodiments can be modified and changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0047] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein relative to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion positioned away from the clinician. It should also be understood that for brevity and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," and "lower" may be used herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0048] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in a variety of surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, in conjunction with open surgical procedures. Continuing to refer to this detailed description, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into the body in any manner, such as through a natural cavity, through an incision or puncture formed in tissue, etc. The working portion or end effector portion of the instrument can be inserted directly into the patient's body or can be inserted through an access device having a working frame, through which the end effector and elongated shaft of the surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0049] Various mechanical lockouts are used together with surgical staplers to prevent misfiring, including but not limited to firing a used staple cartridge, firing an unauthorized staple cartridge, firing an incompatible staple cartridge, and / or firing without a staple cartridge. Some mechanical lockouts are configured to interfere with the firing stroke, for example, by preventing the firing assembly of the surgical stapler from advancing, in the case of misfiring. In order to prevent the firing assembly from advancing, the lockout engages the parts of the firing assembly, for example, a firing rod or a firing beam, at a position that deviates from the firing entrance. Therefore, attempting to make the firing assembly overcome the resistance of the lockout to advance will produce bursting due to the torque applied to the lockout. As discussed in more detail below, the present disclosure can alleviate the bursting of the firing assembly by utilizing novel and unique lockouts, which are selectively configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of leverage that the firing assembly can apply to the lockout.

[0050] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a surgical stapler 100500 is shown, which includes a shaft 100502 and an end effector 100504 extending from the shaft 100502. The end effector 100504 includes a first jaw 100506 and a second jaw 100508. The first jaw 100506 includes an elongated channel 100507 and a staple cartridge 100510. The staple cartridge 100510 can be inserted into the elongated channel 100507 and can be removed from the elongated channel. Specifically, the staple cartridge 100510 includes a tab 100511 located on each lateral side thereof, which is snapped into a corresponding recess 100509 defined in the elongated channel 100507. Alternatively, the staple cartridge 100510 can be integral with the first jaw 100506, or cannot be removed therefrom.

[0051] The second jaw 100508 includes an anvil configured to deform the nail ejected from the nail magazine 100510. The second jaw 100508 is capable of being moved in an open position ( Figure 5 ) and closed position ( Figure 4 ) between the first jaw 100506; however, the first jaw 100506 may also be capable of pivoting relative to the second jaw 100508. The surgical stapler 100500 also includes an articulation joint 100513 that is configured to allow the end effector 100504 to rotate or articulate relative to the axis 100502. Alternatively, the surgical stapler may not include an articulation joint.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown in , the staple cartridge 100510 includes a cartridge body 100512. The cartridge body 100512 includes: a proximal end 100514; a distal end 100516; and a platform 100518 extending between the proximal end 100514 and the distal end 100516. In use, the staple cartridge 100510 is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil 100508 is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil 100508 moves toward the staple cartridge 100510 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) to compress and clamp the tissue against the platform 100518. Then, the nails 100521 removably stored in the magazine body 100512 can be deployed into the tissue. The magazine body 100512 includes a nail cavity 100520 defined therein, wherein the nails 100521 are removably stored in the nail cavity 100520. The nail cavities 100520 are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of nail cavities are positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot 100522, and three rows of nail cavities are positioned on the second side of the longitudinal slot 100522. Other arrangements of nail cavities and nails are also possible.

[0053] The nails are supported in the cartridge body 100512 by the nail drivers. The nails supported on the nail drivers can be seen in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0059672, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ACONTROL UNIT OF A ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND REMOTE SENSOR" filed on September 14, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The driver is movable between a first or non-firing position and a second or firing position to eject the nails from the nail cartridge 100520. The driver is retained in the cartridge body 100512 by a retainer 100524 that extends around the bottom of the cartridge body 100512 and includes a resilient member configured to grip the cartridge body 100512 and retain the retainer 100524 to the cartridge body 100512. The driver can be moved between its unfired position and its fired position by the slide 100526. The slide 100526 can be moved between a proximal position adjacent to the proximal end 100514 and a distal position adjacent to the distal end 100516. The slide 100526 includes a plurality of ramp surfaces that are configured to slide under the driver and lift the driver toward the anvil 100508, and the nail 100521 is supported thereon. The nail 100521 may not be supported by the nail driver, but rather the nail includes an integral driving surface that is directly engaged by the slide 100526 to lift the nail, examples of which are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0173756, entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING METHODS," filed on December 23, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0054] In addition to the above, the slide 100526 is activated by the firing assembly 100600 (see Figure 6) moves distally, the firing assembly includes a firing member or firing beam 100602 and a firing rod 100604 extending proximally from the firing beam 100602. The firing beam 100602 is configured to contact the slide 100526 during the firing stroke and push the slide 100526 toward the distal end 100516. The firing rod 100604 includes a plurality of laminated strips 100605. The longitudinal slot 100522 defined in the cartridge body 100512 is configured to accommodate the firing beam 100602 and the firing rod 100604 during the firing stroke of the firing assembly 100600. The anvil 100508 also includes a slot defined therein to receive the firing beam 100602. The firing beam 100602 also includes a first cam 100606 that engages the first jaw 100506 in the slot of the anvil and a second cam 100608 that engages the second jaw 100508. When the firing beam 100602 is advanced distally through the firing stroke, the first cam 100606 and the second cam 100608 control the distance or tissue gap between the platform 100518 of the staple cartridge 100510 and the anvil 100508. The firing beam 100602 also includes a knife 100610 that is configured to cut into tissue captured between the staple cartridge 100510 and the anvil 100508. It is desirable that the knife 100610 is positioned at least partially proximate to the ramp surface so that the staples are ejected prior to the knife 100610.

[0055] The closing of the end effector 100504 can be performed separately and differently from the firing of the staples 100521. Thus, the anvil 100508 includes a ramp on its proximal end that can be engaged by a closure tube that can be moved distally to cam the anvil 100508 to the closed position. To transition the anvil 100508 to the open position, the closure tube is retracted proximally, and a spring positioned within the end effector 100504 biases the anvil 100508 to the open position. The anvil 100508 can include a tab, and the closure tube defines a hole that engages the tab when the closure tube is moved proximally, thereby actively transitioning the anvil 100508 to the open position. An exemplary closure mechanism is described in U.S. patent application publication No. 2021 / 0059672, filed on September 14, 2020, entitled “SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A CONTROL UNIT OF A ROBOTICSYSTEM AND REMOTE SENSOR,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] The anvil 100508 can be moved from an open position to a closed position using the firing beam 100602. Thus, the anvil 100508 can include a ramp extending proximally from a slot defined therein, which is engaged by the second cam 100608 of the firing beam 100602 during the first closed stroke portion of the firing beam 100602 to move the anvil 100508 to the closed position. The first closed stroke portion of the firing beam can be approximately 0.105"-0.250" of the stroke of the firing beam 100602. At the end of the first closed stroke portion of the firing beam 100602, the firing beam 100602 can continue to be advanced distally through the second firing stroke portion to deploy staples from the staple cartridge 100510 and cut into tissue captured by the end effector with the knife 100610, as described above. An exemplary firing beam for closing anvils and firing nails is described in U.S. Patent No. 11,160,551, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENTS", filed on December 21, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. When the firing beam is used to move the anvil 100508 toward the closed position and deploy nails from the nail magazine 100510, the firing beam can be considered both a closing system and / or a firing assembly.

[0057] After the nail magazine 100510 has been fired or at least partially fired, if necessary, the nail magazine is removed from the elongated channel 100507 and then replaced with another replaceable nail magazine. At this point, the surgical stapler 100500 can be reused to continue suturing and cutting into the patient's tissue. However, in some cases, the previously fired nail magazine can be accidentally loaded into the elongated channel 100507. If the firing beam 100602 will advance distally in such previously fired nail magazine, the surgical stapler 100500 will cut the patient's tissue without suturing the patient's tissue. If the firing beam 100602 advances distally to complete the nail firing stroke without the nail magazine being positioned in the elongated channel 100507 at all, the surgical stapler 100500 will similarly cut the patient's tissue without suturing the patient's tissue. In addition, various surgical nail magazines may have different arrays and / or orientations of nails / fasteners therein. Depending on the specific surgical operation or application, the size of the nail or fastener and the number of fasteners may vary depending on the type of magazine. In order to ensure that the nails are correctly crimped or formed, the surgical nail magazine must be used in conjunction with a corresponding compatible anvil having an appropriate array of nail forming recesses therein and appropriate cutting and firing components. If an "incompatible" magazine is loaded into a surgical stapling device having an anvil that does not match the nail magazine, the nails may not be correctly formed during the firing process.

[0058] To this end, the surgical stapler 100500 further includes a lockout 100700 that is configured to prevent the firing assembly 100600 from moving distally through the firing stroke unless an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is operably disposed in the elongated channel 100507. Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the lockout 100700 includes a single double-sided lockout spring 100702. The spring 100702 can be supported or at least partially supported in the elongated channel 100507. The spring 100702 can be supported or at least partially supported in the shaft 100502. The spring 100702 can be attached to a shaft mounting flange, similar to the shaft mounting flange discussed in U.S. Patent No. 11,298,129, entitled "METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AREPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE" filed on June 26, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The spring 100702 can be directly attached to the elongated channel 100507.

[0059] The locking spring 100702 includes a central body portion 100704, a first locking arm 100706 extending from a first side of the central body portion 100704, and a second locking arm 100708 extending from a second side of the central body portion 100704. The spring 100702 is supported in an elongated channel 100507 and is attached to the shaft mounting flange or elongated channel 100507 by a pin that extends through a hole in the shaft mounting flange or elongated channel 100507 and through holes 100710 in the first locking arm 100706 and the second locking arm 100708. Figure 6 As shown, the firing rod 100604 extends above the central body portion 100704.

[0060] The first lockout arm 100706 and the second lockout arm 100708 include protrusions 100712 extending laterally therefrom. The protrusions 100712 can be received in corresponding recesses 100714 defined in the plurality of laminate strips 100605. The plurality of laminate strips 100605 can include a central laminate strip 100650 defining a firing rod axis 100651, a first subset of laminate strips 100652 extending along a first lateral side of the central laminate strip 100650, and a second subset of laminate strips 100654 extending along a second lateral side of the central laminate strip 100650. The recesses 100714 that receive the protrusions 100712 from the first lockout arm 100706 can extend through some or all of the first subset of laminate strips 100652. Similarly, the notch 100714 that receives the protrusion 100712 from the second lockout arm 100708 extends through some or all of the second subset of laminate strips 100654. Thus, the central laminate strip 100650 may be free of notches, thereby preventing the ends of the protrusions 100712 from engaging each other. Notches may also be defined in the central laminate strip 100650 so that a hole is defined through all of the plurality of laminate strips 100605. Thus, the protrusion 100712 of the first lockout arm 100706 and the protrusion 100712 of the second lockout arm 100708 may extend within the hole and engage each other at or around the firing rod axis 100651.

[0061] As described above, the firing lockout 100700 is configured to prevent the firing assembly 100600 from moving distally through the firing stroke unless an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is operably disposed in the elongated channel 100507. The firing lockout 100700 can be configured in a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the protrusion 100712 of the first locking arm 100706 is received in the recess 100714 in the first subgroup laminate strip 100652, and the protrusion 100712 of the second locking arm 100708 is received in the recess 100714 in the second subgroup laminate strip 100654, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 8 In the locked state, the protrusion 100712 engages the firing rod 100604 to prevent the firing assembly 100600 from moving distally. In the unlocked state, the protrusion 100712 of the first lockout arm 100706 is laterally pivoted or displaced away from the notch 100714 in the first subset of laminated strips 100654, and the protrusion 100712 of the second lockout arm 100708 is laterally pivoted or displaced away from the notch 100714 in the second subset of laminated strips 100652. In the unlocked state, the protrusion 100712 allows the firing assembly 100600 to move distally.

[0062] As described above, the firing lockout 100700 includes a lockout spring 100702 including a central body portion 100704, a first lockout arm 100706 extending from a first side of the central body portion 100704, and a second lockout arm 100708 extending from a second side of the central body portion 100704. In the rest state of the lockout spring 100702, the protrusions 100712 of the first lockout arm 100706 and the second lockout arm 100708 are received in their corresponding recesses 100714. In other words, the lockout spring 100702 naturally stays in the locked state. When the lockout 100700 transitions to the unlocked state, the protrusions 100712 pivot or otherwise move away from their corresponding notches 100714, and thus, the first and second lockout arms 100706, 100708 pivot relative to the central body portion 100704. Given the inherent properties of the spring, the first and second lockout arms 100706, 100708 are naturally biased toward the rest state of the firing lockout 100700, and thus the firing lockout 100700 is naturally biased toward the locked state.

[0063] A lockout member that engages the firing beam at a position laterally outward from the firing rod axis 100651 may "pop" due to a certain amount of torque applied to the lockout member by the firing assembly. Moving the engagement position between the lockout member 100700 and the firing assembly 100600 to or near the firing rod axis 100651 reduces or eliminates the amount of leverage that the firing assembly 100600 can apply to the lockout member 100700, thereby reducing the likelihood of the lockout member 100700 popping.

[0064] As described above, the lockout 100700 prevents the firing beam from moving distally from its proximal-most starting position unless an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is operably disposed in the elongated channel 100507. An authorized or compatible staple cartridge may include a release key 100800 configured to transition the lockout 100700 from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, an authorized or compatible staple cartridge 100510 may include a release key 100800 including a first key 100802 and a second key 100804. Figure 2As more clearly shown in FIG. 1 , the slide 100526 may include a first key 100802 and a second key 100804. Thus, the first key 100802 and the second key 100804 may be sized to engage the lockout 100700 when the slide 100526 is in its proximal unfired position, which indicates that the cartridge is in an unfired or unused state (i.e., the nails have not yet been deployed in the nail cartridge). Thus, positioning the release key 100800 on the slide 100526 not only informs the clinician that the nail cartridge 100510 is an authorized or compatible nail cartridge, but also informs the clinician that the nail cartridge 100510 is unused and ready to fire. The release key 100800 may be integrally formed with the cartridge body 100512. Alternatively, the retainer 100524 may include the release key 100800. If the cartridge body 100512 or the retainer 100524 includes a release key 100800, once the staple cartridge is fired, the clinician can disconnect the release key 100800 from the staple cartridge to ensure that the lockout 100700 prevents subsequent actuation of the firing assembly through the spent staple cartridge.

[0066] Reference again Figure 7 , the first lockout arm 100706 includes a first cam surface 100707 on its distal end, and the second lockout arm 100708 includes a second cam surface 100709 on its distal end. In operation, an authorized or compatible staple cartridge 100510 can be inserted (e.g., longitudinally) into the elongated channel 100507 so that the end 100806 of the first key 100802 contacts the first cam surface 100707 on the first lockout arm 100706, and the end 100806 of the second key 100804 contacts the second cam surface 100709 on the second lockout arm 100708.

[0067] During the insertion of an authorized or compatible staple cartridge 100510 in the proximal direction into the elongated channel 100507, the tips 100806 on the first key 100802 and the second key 100804 cause the first and second lock arms 100706, 100708 of the lock spring 100702 to pivot laterally outward in opposite directions, thereby causing the protrusions 100712 to pivot out of the corresponding notches 100714, thereby transitioning the firing lockout 100700 to an unlocked state. After the firing lockout 100700 is transitioned to the unlocked state, the user can freely actuate the firing assembly 100600 and drive the firing assembly through its firing stroke.

[0068] Thus, the firing lockout 100700 prevents the firing assembly 100600 from being advanced through its firing stroke unless a compatible staple cartridge is positioned in the elongated channel 100507. As described above, the firing lockout 100700 has the advantage of moving the point of engagement between the firing lockout 100700 and the firing assembly 100600 to or near the firing rod axis 100651 of the firing rod 100604, which reduces or eliminates the possibility of the firing lockout 100700 bursting when an incompatible staple cartridge is positioned in the elongated channel 100507.

[0069] Although the firing lockout 100700 shown and described above includes two lockout arms 100706, 100708 for preventing the firing assembly 100600 from moving unless a compatible staple cartridge is positioned in the elongated channel 100507, the firing lockout 100700 may include only one lockout arm for preventing the firing assembly 100600 from moving. Thus, the firing lockout 100700 may require only one key on the staple cartridge to transition the lockout arm from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0070] Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are actuated by electric motors; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein may be actuated in any suitable manner. For example, the surgical instrument systems described herein may be actuated by a manually operated trigger. The motors disclosed herein may include a portion or portions of a robotic control system. In addition, any end effector and / or tool assembly disclosed herein may be used with a robotic surgical instrument system. For example, U.S. patent application serial number 13 / 118,241 (now U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535), entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS," discloses several examples of robotic surgical instrument systems in more detail.

[0071] Although various devices have been described herein in conjunction with certain embodiments, many modifications and variations of these embodiments may also be implemented. In one or more embodiments, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner. Therefore, without limitation, specific features, structures, or characteristics shown or described in conjunction with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part with features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments. In addition, where materials for certain components are disclosed, other materials may also be used. In addition, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and multiple components may also be replaced with a single component to perform a given one or more functions. The above-described specific embodiments and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.

[0072] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following numbered examples:

[0073] Example 1 - A surgical stapler (100500), comprising: an end effector (100504), the end effector comprising an elongated channel (100507); a firing beam (100602); a firing rod (100604), the firing rod being movable to cause the firing beam to transition from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout (100700), the firing lockout comprising a first locking arm (100706) extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod. The firing rod comprises a plurality of laminated strips (100605). The plurality of laminated strips comprises a central laminated strip (100650) and a first subset of laminated strips (100652) extending on a first lateral side of the central laminated strip. A first notch (100714) is defined in the first subset of laminated strips. The first locking arm comprises a first protrusion (100712). The firing lockout member can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

[0074] Example 2 - A surgical stapler according to Example 1, wherein the plurality of laminate strips further comprises a second subset of laminate strips (100654) extending on a second lateral side of the central laminate strip, and wherein a second recess (100714) is defined in the second subset of laminate strips.

[0075] Example 3 - A surgical stapler according to Example 2, wherein the firing lockout member further includes a second locking arm (100708) extending on a second lateral side of the firing rod, and wherein the second locking arm includes a second protrusion (100712).

[0076] Example 4 - A surgical stapler according to Example 3, wherein, in the locked state of the firing lockout member, the second protrusion is received in the second recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position, and in the unlocked state of the firing lockout member, the second protrusion is displaced from the second recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

[0077] Example 5 - A surgical stapler according to Example 3, wherein the firing lockout member also includes a central body portion (100704), and wherein the first lockout arm and the second lockout arm extend from the central body portion.

[0078] Example 6 - A surgical stapler according to Example 5, wherein the firing rod extends above the central body portion.

[0079] Example 7 - The surgical stapler according to any one of Examples 1-6, further comprising a staple magazine (100510), wherein the staple magazine includes a key (100802), wherein the staple magazine is capable of being removably positioned in the elongated channel, and wherein the key is configured to engage the first locking arm to transition the firing lockout member to the unlocked state.

[0080] Example 8 - A surgical stapler according to Example 7, wherein the first locking arm includes a cam surface (100707), and wherein the key is configured to engage the cam surface to transition the firing lockout member to the unlocked state.

[0081] Example 9 - A surgical stapler according to Example 7, wherein the staple magazine comprises a magazine body (100512), and wherein the magazine body comprises the key.

[0082] Example 10 - A surgical stapler according to Example 7, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a sliding member (100526), ​​and wherein the sliding member comprises the key.

[0083] Example 11 - A surgical stapler according to Example 7, wherein the staple magazine includes a retainer (100524), and wherein the retainer includes the key.

[0084] Example 12 - A surgical stapler according to Example 7, wherein the end actuator further comprises an anvil (100508) capable of moving between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongated channel, and wherein the firing stroke comprises: a first stroke portion, in which the firing beam moves the anvil toward the closed position; and a second stroke portion, in which the firing beam deploys nails from the nail magazine.

[0085] Example 13 - A surgical stapler according to any of Examples 1-6, wherein the firing lockout member comprises a locking spring (100702), and wherein the locking spring is naturally biased toward the locked state.

[0086] Example 14 - A surgical stapler according to any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the end actuator further includes an anvil (100508), and wherein the firing beam includes a first cam (100606), the first cam being configured to engage the elongated channel during the firing stroke; and a second cam (100608), the second cam being configured to engage the anvil during the firing stroke.

[0087] Example 15 - A surgical stapler according to any of Examples 1-6, wherein the firing beam comprises a knife (100610).

[0088] Example 16 - A surgical stapler, comprising: an end effector, the end effector comprising an elongated channel; a firing beam; a firing rod, the firing rod being movable to cause the firing beam to transition from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout, the firing lockout comprising a first locking arm extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod. The firing rod comprises a plurality of laminated strips. The plurality of laminated strips comprises a central laminated strip and a first subset of laminated strips extending on a first lateral side of the central laminated strip. A first recess is defined in the first subset of laminated strips. The first locking arm comprises a first protrusion. The firing lockout can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

[0089] Example 17 - A surgical stapler according to Example 16, wherein the plurality of laminate strips further includes a second subset of laminate strips extending on a second lateral side of the central laminate strip, and wherein a second recess is defined in the second subset of laminate strips.

[0090] Example 18 - A surgical stapler according to Example 17, wherein the firing lockout also includes a second lockout arm extending on a second lateral side of the firing rod, and wherein the second lockout arm includes a second protrusion.

[0091] Example 19 - A surgical stapler according to Example 18, wherein, in the locked state of the firing lockout member, the second protrusion is received in the second recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position, and in the unlocked state of the firing lockout member, the second protrusion is displaced from the second recess to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

[0092] Example 20 - A surgical stapler according to Example 18, wherein the firing lockout member also includes a central body portion, and wherein the first lockout arm and the second lockout arm extend from the central body portion.

[0093] Example 21 - A surgical stapler according to Example 20, wherein the firing rod extends above the central body portion.

[0094] Example 22 - The surgical stapler according to Example 16 further includes a staple magazine, which includes a key, wherein the staple magazine is capable of being removably positioned in the slender channel, and wherein the key is configured to engage the first locking arm to transition the firing lockout member to the unlocked state.

[0095] Example 23 - A surgical stapler according to Example 22, wherein the first locking arm includes a cam surface, and wherein the key is configured to engage the cam surface to transition the firing lockout member to the unlocked state.

[0096] Example 24 - A surgical stapler according to Example 22, wherein the staple magazine includes a magazine body, and wherein the magazine body includes the key.

[0097] Example 25 - A surgical stapler according to Example 22, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a sliding member, and wherein the sliding member comprises the key.

[0098] Example 26 - A surgical stapler according to Example 22, wherein the staple magazine includes a retainer and wherein the retainer includes the key.

[0099] Example 27 - A surgical stapler according to Example 22, wherein the end actuator further comprises an anvil capable of moving between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongated channel, and wherein the firing stroke comprises: a first stroke portion, in which the firing beam moves the anvil toward the closed position; and a second stroke portion, in which the firing beam deploys staples from the staple magazine.

[0100] Example 28 - A surgical stapler according to Example 16, wherein the firing lockout member includes a locking spring, and wherein the locking spring is naturally biased toward the locked state.

[0101] Example 29 - A surgical stapler according to Example 16, wherein the end actuator further includes an anvil, and wherein the firing beam includes a first cam, which is configured to engage the elongated channel during the firing stroke; and a second cam, which is configured to engage the anvil during the firing stroke.

[0102] Example 30 - A surgical stapler according to Example 16, wherein the firing beam includes a knife.

[0103] Embodiment 31-A surgical stapler, the surgical stapler comprising: an end effector, the end effector comprising a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; a firing beam; a firing rod, the firing rod being movable to cause the firing beam to transition from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout. The firing rod comprises a plurality of laminated strips. The plurality of laminated strips comprises a central laminated strip, a first subgroup of laminated strips extending on a first lateral side of the central laminated strip, and a second subgroup of laminated strips extending on a second lateral side of the central laminated strip. A first recess is defined in the first subgroup of laminated strips. A second recess is defined in the second subgroup of laminated strips. The firing lockout comprises a body, a first locking arm extending from the body on a first lateral side of the firing rod, and a second locking arm extending from the body on a second lateral side of the firing rod. The first locking arm comprises a first protrusion. The second locking arm comprises a second protrusion. The firing lockout can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion is received in the first notch and the second protrusion is received in the second notch to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first notch and the second protrusion is displaced from the second notch to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position. The nail magazine also includes a first key, the first key is configured to engage the first locking arm to displace the first protrusion from the first notch; and a second key, the second key is configured to engage the second locking arm to displace the second protrusion from the second notch, wherein the first key and the second key transition the firing lockout to the unlocked state.

[0104] Example 32 - A surgical stapler according to Example 31, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a sliding member, and wherein the sliding member comprises the first key and the second key.

[0105] Example 33 - A surgical stapler comprising: an end effector; a firing beam; a firing rod capable of moving to cause the firing beam to transition from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke; and a firing lockout. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being capable of moving between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The firing rod comprises a plurality of laminated strips. A hole is defined as passing through the plurality of laminated strips. The firing lockout comprises a first locking arm extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod and a second locking arm extending on a second lateral side of the firing rod. The first locking arm comprises a first protrusion. The second locking arm comprises a second protrusion. The firing lockout member can be configured in the following states: a locked state, in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend within the hole to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and an unlocked state, in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are displaced from the hole to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position.

[0106] Example 34 - The surgical stapler according to Example 33 further includes a staple magazine, which includes a key, wherein the staple magazine is capable of being removably positioned in the end actuator, and wherein the key is configured to engage the first locking arm and the second locking arm to transition the firing lockout member to the unlocked state.

[0107] Example 35 - A surgical stapler according to Example 34, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a sliding member, and wherein the sliding member comprises the key.

[0108] The entire disclosures of the following patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 11,589,865, issued on February 28, 2023, entitled “METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARYCLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS”, U.S. Patent No. 6,978,921, issued on December 27, 2005, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM”, U.S. Patent No. 10,213,203, issued on February 26, 2019, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY WITHOUTA BOTTOM COVER”, U.S. Patent No. 10,213,203, issued on March 16, 2021, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION No. 10,945,727, entitled “STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND AFIRING LOCKOUT”, issued on February 1, 2022, U.S. Patent No. 11,234,698, entitled “STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND AFIRING LOCKOUT”, issued on January 3, 2023, U.S. Patent No. 11,540,826, entitled “SURGICALSTAPLER END EFFECTOR SLED HAVING CARTRIDGE WALL SUPPORT FEATURE”, issued on May 28, 2019, U.S. Patent No. 10,299,792, entitled “FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS”, issued on September 24, 2013, U.S. Patent No. 8,540,133, entitled “STAPLECARTRIDGE”, issued on October 17, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 1 No. 9,788,835 entitled "AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EJECTION OF SURGICAL FASTENERS FROM CARTRIDGES", and No. 10,105,142 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER WITH PLURALITY OF CUTTING ELEMENTS" issued on October 23, 2018.U.S. Patent No. 10,537,324, issued on January 21, 2020, entitled “STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES”, U.S. Patent No. 7,669,746, issued on March 2, 2010, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS”, U.S. Patent No. 8,123,100, issued on February 28, 2012, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING ACARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLESTAPLE SIZES”, U.S. Patent No. 8,123,100, issued on August 5, 2008, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLE STAPLE SIZES FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING No. 7,407,075, entitled “SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAIN RELIEF”, U.S. Patent No. 10,085,749, issued on October 2, 2018, entitled “SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAIN RELIEF”, U.S. Patent No. 10,765,427, issued on September 8, 2020, entitled “METHOD FOR ARTICULATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT”, U.S. Patent No. 11,291,445, issued on April 5, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS”, U.S. Patent No. 10,194,866, issued on October 21, 2014, entitled “IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING A NON-UNIFORM No. 8,864,007 entitled “COMPRESSIBLE NON-FIBROUS ADJUNCTS”, No. 11,490,890 issued on November 8, 2022, entitled “THREE DIMENSIONAL ADJUNCTS”, No. 10,952,724 issued on March 23, 2021, entitled “LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES”, No. 9,770,245 issued on September 26, 2017, entitled “LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES”,No. 10,123,798, issued on November 13, 2018, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING CONTROLLED RELEASE AND EXPANSION”, No. 10,166,023, issued on January 1, 2019, entitled “METHOD OF APPLYING A BUTTRESS TO A SURGICALSTAPLER END EFFECTOR”, No. 11,207,065, issued on December 28, 2021, entitled “METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS”, No. 8,141,762, issued on March 27, 2012, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLER COMPRISING A STAPLE POCKET”, No. 8,141,762, issued on November 4, 2014, entitled “END EFFECTOR WITH REDUNDANT No. 8,876,857, entitled “COMPOSITE DRIVEBEAM FOR SURGICAL STAPLING,” U.S. Patent No. 9,629,631, published on April 25, 2017, entitled “METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SEGMENTED ELECTRODES,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0346858, published on November 3, 2022, entitled “DRIVERS FOR FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES HAVING ROTARY DRIVE SCREWS,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0304680, published on September 29, 2022, entitled “METHOD OF USING A POWERED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM STAPLING DEVICE”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0304679, entitled “METHODSFOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS” published on October 3, 2019,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367695, published on December 28, 2017, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0134077, published on May 14, 2015, entitled “SEALING MATERIALS FOR USE INSURGICAL STAPLING,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168615, published on June 21, 2018, entitled “METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168615, published on May 17, 2018, entitled “STAPLE FORMING POCKET CONFIGURATIONS FOR CIRCULAR SURGICAL STAPLER and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0132849, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on June 21, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168613, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on November 9, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0319205, entitled “POWERED END EFFECTOR ASSEMBLYWITH PIVOTABLE CHANNEL,” published on January 2, 2014, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0001231, entitled “FIRING SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,” published on April 7, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0132849, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on June 21, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168613, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0095596,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297199, published on October 22, 2015, entitled “ADAPTER ASSEMBLY WITH GIMBAL FOR INTERCONNECTING ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICALDEVICES AND SURGICAL LOADING UNITS, AND SURGICAL SYSTEMS THEREOF,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031351, published on February 3, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DIFFERENT ARTICULATION JOINT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCOMMODATING FLEXIBLE ACTUATORS,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031351, published on February 3, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH FLEXIBLE FIRING MEMBER ACTUATOR and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031320, entitled “CONSTRAINTARRANGEMENTS”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0119119, entitled “CABLE-DRIVEN ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOL ATTACHMENT”, published on April 20, 2023, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 071497, entitled “STAPLER CARTRIDGE WITH AN INTEGRAL KNIFE”, published on March 15, 2018, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 049211, entitled “WRIST ARCHITECTURE”, published on April 12, 2022, entitled “METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AREPLACEABLE No. 11,298,129 entitled “ROBOTIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSED LOOP FEEDBACK TECHNIQUES FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CLOSURE MEMBER DURING FIRING” issued on January 26, 2021,U.S. Patent No. 5,485,947, published on January 23, 1996, entitled “LINEAR STAPLING MECHANISM WITH CUTTING MEANS”, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 049206, published on March 15, 2018, entitled “STAPLER RELOAD DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249920, published on September 1, 2016, entitled “Surgical fastener applying apparatus”, U.S. Design Patent No. D974,560, published on January 3, 2023, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE”, U.S. Design Patent No. D967,421, published on October 18, 2022, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE”, and U.S. Design Patent No. D967,421, published on October 12, 2021, entitled “BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL FASTENER APPLYING APPARATUS” No. D933,220, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEASTONE MEDICAMENT,” U.S. Patent No. 9,839,420, issued on Dec. 12, 2017, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEASTONE MEDICAMENT,” U.S. Patent No. 10,588,623, issued on Mar. 17, 2020, entitled “ADHESIVE FILM LAMINATE,” U.S. Patent No. 8,499,992, issued on Aug. 6, 2013, entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMPRESSION OF TISSUE,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0378427, issued on Dec. 1, 2022, entitled “STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING JAW MOUNTS,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0378427, issued on Dec. 1, 2022, entitled “METHOD OF APPLYING A BUTTRESS TO A No. 10,349,939 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER" and No. 9,386,988 entitled "RETAINER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR" issued on July 12, 2016.U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535, issued on July 7, 2015, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS”, and U.S. Patent No. 9,844,369, issued on December 19, 2017, entitled “SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS”.

[0109] The entire disclosures of the following patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

[0110] - U.S. Patent No. 5,403,312, issued on April 4, 1995, entitled "ELECTROSURGICALHEMOSTATIC DEVICE";

[0111] - U.S. Patent 7,000,818, issued on February 21, 2006, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

[0112] - U.S. Patent 7,422,139, issued on September 9, 2008, entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILEPOSITION FEEDBACK";

[0113] - U.S. Patent 7,464,849, issued on December 16, 2008, entitled "ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS";

[0114] - U.S. Patent 7,670,334, issued on March 2, 2010, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR”;

[0115] - U.S. Patent 7,753,245, issued on July 13, 2010, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”;

[0116] - U.S. Patent 8,393,514, issued on March 12, 2013, entitled "SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE";

[0117] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 343,803, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES,” now U.S. Patent No. 7,845,537;

[0118] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 031,573, filed February 14, 2008, entitled “SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES”;

[0119] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 031,873, filed on February 15, 2008, entitled “END EFFECTORS FOR ASURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 7,980,443;

[0120] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 235,782, entitled “MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,210,411;

[0121] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 235,972, entitled “MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,050,083.

[0122] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 249,117, entitled “POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,608,045;

[0123] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 647,100, filed December 24, 2009, entitled "MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENTWITH ELECTRICACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY," now U.S. Patent No. 8,220,688;

[0124] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 893,461, filed on September 29, 2012, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,733,613;

[0125] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 036,647, filed on February 28, 2011, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,561,870;

[0126] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 118,241, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535;

[0127] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 524,049, filed on June 15, 2012, entitled “ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,101,358;

[0128] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 800,025, filed on March 13, 2013, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481;

[0129] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 800,067, filed on March 13, 2013, and entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,” now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263552;

[0130] - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0175955, filed on January 31, 2006, entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE TRIGGERLOCKING MECHANISM"; and - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0264194, filed on April 22, 2010, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE ENDEFFECTOR", now U.S. Patent No. 8,308,040.

[0131] While several configurations have been described, further modifications are within the scope of this disclosure, which is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosed configurations using its general principles.

[0132] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, the terms used herein, and in particular in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended to be "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", etc.). Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such intent will be explicitly stated in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, to aid understanding, the following appended claims may contain use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claims. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should generally be interpreted as meaning "at least one" or "one or more"); this also applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0133] It is worth mentioning that any reference to "one aspect", "an aspect", "an example", or "an example" means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with the aspect are included in at least one aspect. Therefore, the phrases "in one aspect", "in an aspect", "in an example", or "in an example" appearing in various places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same aspect. In addition, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0134] It is noted that any reference signs included in the appended claims are used to reference exemplary embodiments / elements described in the present disclosure. Therefore, any such reference signs are not meant to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the appended claims.

[0135] Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication or other public material referred to in this specification and / or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent herewith. Therefore, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material or portion thereof that is allegedly incorporated herein by reference but conflicts with existing definitions, statements or other public material set forth herein will be incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated material and the existing public material.

[0136] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein relative to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion positioned away from the clinician. It should also be understood that for brevity and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," and "lower" may be used herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0137] In summary, many of the benefits resulting from the use of the concepts described herein have been described. For purposes of illustration and description, one or more of the above specific embodiments have been provided. These specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise forms disclosed by the invention. The invention may be modified or varied in accordance with the above teachings. The one or more forms selected and described are intended to illustrate the principles and practical applications so that one of ordinary skill in the art can utilize various forms and various modifications suitable for the intended specific use. The claims submitted herewith are intended to define the full scope.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler (100500), comprising: an end effector (100504) comprising an elongated channel (100507); Trigger beam (100602); A firing rod (100604) movable to transition the firing beam from a proximal position toward a distal position during a firing stroke, wherein the firing rod comprises a plurality of laminate strips (100605), and wherein the plurality of laminate strips comprises: a center laminate strip (100650); and a first subset of laminate strips (100652) extending on a first lateral side of the central laminate strip, wherein a first notch (100714) is defined in the first subset of laminate strips; and a firing lockout (100700) comprising a first lockout arm (100706) extending on a first lateral side of the firing rod, wherein the first lockout arm comprises a first protrusion (100712); and Wherein, the firing locking member can be configured in the following states: a locked state in which the first protrusion is received in the first recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and An unlocked state, in which the first protrusion is displaced from the first notch to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of laminate strips further comprises a second subset of laminate strips (100654) extending on a second lateral side of the central laminate strip, and wherein a second recess (100714) is defined in the second subset of laminate strips.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein: The firing lockout also includes a second lockout arm (100708) extending on a second lateral side of the firing rod, and wherein the second lockout arm includes a second protrusion (100712).

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 3, wherein: In the locked state of the firing lockout, the second protrusion is received in the second recess to prevent the firing beam from moving toward the distal position; and In the unlocked state of the firing lockout, the second protrusion is displaced from the second notch to allow the firing beam to move toward the distal position.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 3, wherein: The firing lockout also includes a central body portion (100704), and wherein the first lockout arm and the second lockout arm extend from the central body portion.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein: The firing rod extends above the central body portion.

7. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1-6, further comprising a staple cartridge (100510), wherein the staple cartridge comprises a key (100802), wherein: The staple cartridge is removably positionable in the elongated channel, and wherein the key is configured to engage the first lockout arm to transition the firing lockout to the unlocked state.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein: The first locking arm includes a cam surface (100707), and wherein the key is configured to engage the cam surface to transition the firing lockout to the unlocked state.

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein: The nail magazine includes a magazine body (100512), and wherein the magazine body includes the key.

10. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein: The nail magazine includes a sliding member (100526), ​​and wherein the sliding member includes the key.

11. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein: The nail magazine includes a retainer (100524), and wherein the retainer includes the key.

12. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein: The end effector further comprises an anvil (100508) movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongated channel, and wherein the firing stroke comprises: a first stroke portion in which the firing beam moves the anvil toward the closed position; and and a second stroke portion, wherein the firing beam deploys staples from the staple cartridge.

13. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The firing lockout comprises a locking spring (100702), and wherein the locking spring is naturally biased toward the locked state.

14. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The end effector further comprises an anvil (100508), and wherein the firing beam comprises: a first cam (100606) configured to engage the elongated channel during the firing stroke; and A second cam (100608) is configured to engage the anvil during the firing stroke.

15. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The firing beam includes a knife (100610).

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