Patent ID: 11957336
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly;
(b) an end effector operatively coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a first jaw including an anvil, and
(ii) a second jaw configured to removably receive an unspent staple cartridge, wherein at least one of the first or second jaws is configured to pivot relative to the other of the first or second jaws;

(c) a firing system extending along a longitudinal axis through at least a portion of the shaft assembly and the end effector, wherein the firing system is operable to staple and cut tissue; and
(d) a firing lockout assembly selectively coupled with the firing system, wherein the firing lockout assembly is disposed proximal to the end effector, wherein the firing lockout assembly is configured to:
(i) provide the firing system in an unlocked configuration to thereby allow actuation of the firing system in response to the unspent staple cartridge being coupled with the second jaw, and
(ii) provide the firing system in a locked configuration to thereby inhibit actuation of the firing system in response to the unspent staple cartridge being absent from the second jaw,
wherein the firing lockout assembly includes a first engagement projection and a lockout, wherein the lockout includes a first flexible deflectable portion disposed proximal to the end effector, wherein the first engagement projection is configured to push the first flexible deflectable portion inwardly toward the longitudinal axis to inhibit actuation of the firing system in the locked configuration.