US6131789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical stapler
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-04-25
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Granted: 2000-10-17
•
Expires: 2014-04-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an improved surgical stapler that prevents refiring of a spent staple cartridge. More specifically, this invention includes a simple, inexpensive mechanical locking mechanism which prevents refiring of a spent staple cartridge by blocking the path of the firing and/or cutting means of the stapler.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Schulze
- 👤 Jon A. Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:22
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25C; B25C5/00; B25C5/16; B25C5/1686; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/072; A61B17/07207; A61B2017/07214; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0814
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples disposed along a longitudinal axis of said cartridge; at least one pusher bar movable distally within said cartridge for ejecting said staples; a lockout member movable distally in said stapler, said lockout member being further movable generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement of said lockout member; and a barrier engageable by said lockout member in a retracted position of said lockout member, subsequent to an initial distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples disposed along a longitudinal axis of said cartridge; at least one pusher bar movable distally within said cartridge for ejecting said staples; a lockout member movable distally in said stapler, said lockout member being further movable generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement of said lockout member; and a barrier engageable by said lockout member in a retracted position of said lockout member, subsequent to an initial distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lockout member comprises an elongated member having a notched surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The stapler of claim 1 wherein said barrier comprises a first surface extending generally transversely to said longitudinal axis for engagement by said lockout member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a knife.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lockout member comprises a knife blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1 further including a stop member comprising a roof assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lockout member is spring biased generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement thereof toward a position for engaging said barrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 7, wherein said lockout member is biased by a leaf spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a movable restraint on said stapler engaged with said lockout member during a portion of the distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 9, wherein said restraint comprises a rotatable member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 9, wherein said lockout member is spring biased generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement thereof toward a position for engaging said barrier, said restraint acting to prevent engagement of said lockout member with said barrier prior to at least a portion of a distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a frame means and a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples defining a longitudinal axis of said stapler; firing means movable relative to said frame means to fire the staples along said axis; and a lockout mechanism for preventing a subsequent longitudinal firing movement of the firing means after at least a portion of said firing means has been moved to a retracted longitudinal position opposite to a direction of firing movement of said firing means, said lockout mechanism comprising a lockout member movable distally within said stapler and movable generally perpendicular to the direction of distal movement from a first position to a second position, a restraint for maintaining said lockout member in said first position thereof during at least a portion of a distal movement of said lockout member so that said firing means fires said staples, said restraint being movable in response to firing movement of said firing means so that said lockout member is moved to said second position to prevent refiring after at least a portion of said firing means moves to said retracted position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
186 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a frame means and a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples defining a longitudinal axis of said stapler; firing means movable relative to said frame means to fire the staples along said axis; and a lockout mechanism for preventing a subsequent longitudinal firing movement of the firing means after at least a portion of said firing means has been moved to a retracted longitudinal position opposite to a direction of firing movement of said firing means, said lockout mechanism comprising a lockout member movable distally within said stapler and movable generally perpendicular to the direction of distal movement from a first position to a second position, a restraint for maintaining said lockout member in said first position thereof during at least a portion of a distal movement of said lockout member so that said firing means fires said staples, said restraint being movable in response to firing movement of said firing means so that said lockout member is moved to said second position to prevent refiring after at least a portion of said firing means moves to said retracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A surgical stapler of claim 12 further comprising a knife blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 12, wherein said restraint comprises a member movably mounted on said stapler.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 14, wherein said movably mounted member is rotatable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 12, wherein said lockout member comprises a notched surface engageable with a barrier for preventing subsequent longitudinal movement of said firing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical stapler in accordance with claim 16, wherein said lockout member is located on said knife blade.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples disposed along a longitudinal axis of said cartridge; at least one pusher bar movable distally within said cartridge for ejecting said staples; a lockout member movable distally in said stapler, said lockout member being further movable generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement of said lockout member; and a barrier member engageable by said lockout member in a retracted position of said lockout member, subsequent to an initial distal movement of said lockout member; and wherein said lockout member is spring biased generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement thereof toward a position for engaging said barrier, said restraint acting to prevent engagement of said lockout member with said barrier prior to at least a portion of a distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
A surgical stapler comprising: a cartridge having a plurality of rows of staples disposed along a longitudinal axis of said cartridge; at least one pusher bar movable distally within said cartridge for ejecting said staples; a lockout member movable distally in said stapler, said lockout member being further movable generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement of said lockout member; and a barrier member engageable by said lockout member in a retracted position of said lockout member, subsequent to an initial distal movement of said lockout member; and wherein said lockout member is spring biased generally perpendicularly to the direction of distal movement thereof toward a position for engaging said barrier, said restraint acting to prevent engagement of said lockout member with said barrier prior to at least a portion of a distal movement of said lockout member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
173 words
A surgical stapler for applying a plurality of rows of staples, said rows of staples being housed in a disposable cartridge having a front portion and a rear portion, said cartridge having a cartridge slot disposed between adjacent rows of staples and extending substantially the entire length of said rows, said stapler including firing means for said staples, cutting means movable in said slot and a locking mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means in said slot, said cutting means having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a cutting edge, said locking mechanism comprising a leaf spring disposed in said stapler and engaging the bottom surface of said cutting means, to place said cutting means in a first position out of alignment with said slot, means disposed on said cartridge for engaging the top surface of the cutting means to depress said leaf spring and move said cutting means from said first position to a second position in alignment with said slot whereby said cutting means may move within said slot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
A surgical stapler for applying a plurality of rows of staples, said rows of staples being housed in a disposable cartridge having a front portion and a rear portion, said cartridge having a cartridge slot disposed between adjacent rows of staples and extending substantially the entire length of said rows, said stapler including firing means for said staples, cutting means movable in said slot and a locking mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means in said slot, said cutting means having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a cutting edge, said locking mechanism comprising a leaf spring disposed in said stapler and engaging the bottom surface of said cutting means, to place said cutting means in a first position out of alignment with said slot, means disposed on said cartridge for engaging the top surface of the cutting means to depress said leaf spring and move said cutting means from said first position to a second position in alignment with said slot whereby said cutting means may move within said slot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |