The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2019
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2015
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Kevin D. Felder, Cincinnati, OH (US);
John F. Cummings, Madeira, OH (US);
Joseph P. Schowalter, South Lebanon, OH (US);
Patrick J. Swindon, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Johnny H. Alexander, III, West Chester, OH (US);
Patrick A. Weizman, Liberty Township, OH (US);
Cory G. Kimball, Hamilton, OH (US);
Edward G. Chekan, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Joseph E. Young, Loveland, OH (US);
Christopher C. Miller, Loveland, OH (US);
Barry T. Jamison, Fairfield, OH (US);
John V. Hunt, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Kent P. Baker, Liberty Township, OH (US);
Cortney E. Henderson, Loveland, OH (US);
Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US);
Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Carl J. Shurtleff, Mason, OH (US);
Julia F. Serber, Brookline, MA (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
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.