Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Ethicon, Gmbh

Cilag International Gmbh

Julia F Serber

John V Hunt

Christopher C Miller

Kevin D Felder

Barry Thomas Jamison

Johnny H Alexander, Iii

John F Cummings

Patrick J Swindon

Joseph P Schowalter

Kent P Baker

Jerome R Morgan

Chester O Baxter, Iii

Cory G Kimball

Adam R Dunki-Jacobs

Joseph E Young

Patrick A Weizman

Cortney E Henderson

Carl J Shurtleff

Edward G Chekan

Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan

Chester O Iii Baxter

Johnny H Iii Alexander

Joseph Schowalter

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that 'pops' out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.

Tissue stapler anvil feature to prevent premature jaw opening

A surgical stapler comprises an anvil assembly, an anvil shaft, a driver, an actuating arm, a safety switch, and a safety feature. The anvil assembly couples with the anvil shaft. The driver drives a plurality of staples into tissue. The actuating arm is in communication with the surgical stapler and is configured to actuate the driver to drive the plurality of staples into tissue. The safety switch is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position. The safety switch prevents operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the locked position. The safety switch enables operation of the actuating arm when the safety switch is in the unlocked position. The safety feature may prevent operation of the driver even when the safety switch is in the unlocked position or prevent operation of the safety switch.

Tissue stapler safety switch feature to prevent premature jaw opening

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Julia F Serber