Abstract:
In various embodiments, a method is provided. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a lockout, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the lockout is configured to prevent the actuation movement of the firing member, engaging a test device with the surgical tool, permanently disabling the lockout while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool, and permanently preventing the surgical function while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/683,754, entitled TEST DEVICE FOR A SURGICAL TOOL, filed Jan. 7, 2010, which issued on Dec. 17, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,046, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments relate, in general, to surgical sealing and severing tools, such as a surgical stapler or endocutter, and, more particularly, to a test device for such a surgical tool. 
     An endocutter is a surgical stapler instrument that is capable of applying lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. Surgical staplers have been used in the field to simultaneously make a longitudinal incision in tissue and apply lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. Such instruments commonly include a pair of cooperating jaw members that, if the instrument is intended for endoscopic or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing through a cannula passageway. One of the jaw members receives a staple cartridge having at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other jaw member defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the cartridge. The instrument includes a plurality of reciprocating wedges which, when driven distally, pass through openings in the staple cartridge and engage drivers supporting the staples to effect the firing of the staples toward the anvil. 
     An example of a surgical stapler suitable for endoscopic applications is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication. No. 2004/0232196 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which advantageously provides distinct closing and firing actions. Thereby, a clinician is able to close the jaw members upon tissue to position the tissue prior to firing. Once the clinician has determined that the jaw members are properly gripping tissue, the clinician can then fire the surgical stapler, thereby severing and stapling the tissue. The simultaneous severing and stapling avoids complications that may arise when performing such actions sequentially with different surgical tools that respectively only sever or staple. 
     It is often advantageous to build an end effector for the surgical stapler that is reusable. For instance, one patient may need a series of severing and stapling operations during a surgical procedure. Replacing an entire end effector for each operation during the procedure tends to be economically inefficient. This is especially true if the end effector is built to be strong and reliable over repeated operations. To that end, staple cartridges are fitted into the end effector prior to each operation of the surgical stapler. Thus, a much smaller amount of the surgical stapler is discarded after each use. 
     Further, while the staple cartridge provides numerous advantages, it is desirable to prevent inadvertent firing of the surgical stapler when an unfired staple cartridge is not present. Otherwise, the severing of tissue may occur without the staples present to minimize bleeding and/or leaking. Accordingly, some surgical staplers are equipped with a lockout mechanism to prevent firing unless an unfired staple cartridge is present. Exemplary surgical staplers including a lockout mechanism may include those described in the following documents, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/441,424, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/441,565, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/066,371, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATED SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,528); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/266,961, entitled LOCKOUT MECHANISMS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING SAME, (which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0102475); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/651,788, entitled INTERLOCK AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SAME, (which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0167670). 
     The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, a method is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a lockout, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the lockout is configured to prevent the actuation movement of the firing member, engaging a test device with the surgical tool, permanently disabling the lockout while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool, and permanently preventing the surgical function while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool. 
     In various embodiments, a method is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a lockout member, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the lockout member is configured to prevent the actuation movement of the firing member, engaging a test device with the surgical tool such that the test device overcomes the lockout member, actuating the firing member, wherein the test device permits the actuation movement of the firing member while preventing the surgical function, and re-actuating the firing member without resetting the test device, wherein the test device permits the actuation movement of the firing member while preventing the surgical function. 
     In various embodiments, a method is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a non-resettable lockout member, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the non-resettable lockout member is configured to engage the firing member to prevent the actuation movement, engaging a test device with the surgical tool such that the test device biases the firing member out of engagement with the non- resettable lockout member, and actuating the firing member, wherein the test device prevents the surgical function. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The novel features of the embodiments described herein are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The embodiments, however, both as to organization and methods of operation may be better understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a left perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical stapler including a handle, a shaft, and an end effector including a staple cartridge. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the surgical stapler of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a bottom perspective view of the proximal end of the staple cartridge of  FIG. 1  showing a sled in an unfired position. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an isometric view of the end effector of  FIG. 1  with an anvil in an up or open position exposing the staple cartridge and a cutting member. 
         FIG. 5  is a right perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical instrument including a surgical test device attached to the end effector of the surgical stapler of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the surgical test device attached to the end effector of  FIG. 5 ; the end effector is shown in an open position and the test device is shown in transparency for clarity. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the surgical test device attached to the end effector of  FIG. 5 ; the end effector is shown in a closed position and the test device is shown in transparency for clarity. 
         FIG. 9  is top perspective view of the surgical test device of  FIG. 5 , shown unattached to an end effector. 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of the surgical test device of  FIG. 5  attached to an end effector of a surgical stapler; two jaw members are illustrated in a closed position and a cutting member is shown in transparency for the purposes of clarity; various additional components of the end effector and a surgical stapler are omitted also for the purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the surgical test device attached to the end effector of the surgical stapler of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the end effector of  FIG. 10  illustrating the cutting member resting in a lockout trough in a locked position. 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate the surgical test device attached to the end effector of  FIG. 10  as the cutting member is moved into a release member of the test device and over the lockout trough. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical test device. 
         FIG. 15  is a side cross-sectional view of the surgical test device of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the surgical test device of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical test device. 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view of a proximal portion of the surgical test device of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  depicts a bottom perspective view of the proximal end of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical test device showing a sled in an unfired position. 
         FIG. 20  depicts an isometric view of the surgical test device of  FIG. 19  inserted in the end effector of  FIG. 1 , in place of the staple cartridge. 
         FIG. 21  is a side perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical test device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of these embodiments is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Further, where an ordering of steps in a process is indicated, such ordering may be rearranged or the steps may be carried out contemporaneously as desired unless illogical or the listed order is explicitly required. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “over,” “under,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “proximally,” “distally,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. The description below is for the purpose of describing various embodiments and is not intended to limit the appended claims. 
     The various embodiments generally relate to various surgical test devices configured to override a sealing member lockout on a surgical severing and/or sealing tool, such as a surgical stapler or endocutter. Such surgical staplers may be configured to function through a natural orifice, such as the anus, mouth and/or vagina, or through an incision cut through a body wall. Further, such surgical staplers may be designed as endoscopic tools, including laparoscopic tools. In any event, a surgical test device, according to various embodiments described herein, may allow a surgeon, nurse, or other user to fire and test the surgical stapler to ensure that the device is working properly before using the stapler on a patient. As will be seen, a surgical test device may be a low-cost disposable unit that facilitates the test firing of a surgical tool for one or more actuation cycles without damaging the surgical tool or using more expensive sealing member cartridges, such as staple cartridges or similar replaceable units. A surgical test device may be removed after a brief test and replaced by an actual sealing member cartridge, such as a staple cartridge and/or fastener reload unit, prior to use on a patient. 
     Focusing now on one exemplary surgical stapler, the surgical stapler  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may comprise a handle  6 , a shaft  8 , and an end effector  12  connected to the shaft  8 . In various embodiments, the end effector  12  can be articulated about an articulation pivot  14  located in a distal portion of shaft  8 . One or more rotation and/or articulation controls  16 ′,  16 ″ may be provided adjacent to the handle  6  to effect rotation of the end effector  12  about the articulation pivot  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end effector  12  is configured to act as an endocutter for clamping, severing and stapling tissue, although, in other embodiments, different types of end effectors may be used, such as end effectors for other types of surgical devices, such as graspers, cutters, staplers, clip appliers, access devices, drug/gene therapy devices, ultrasound, RF or laser devices, etc. More details regarding RF devices may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     The handle  6  of the stapler  10  may include a closure trigger  18  and a firing trigger  20  for actuating the end effector  12 . It will be appreciated that staplers having end effectors directed to different surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggers or other suitable controls for operating the end effector  12 . The end effector  12  is shown separated from the handle  6  by the elongate shaft  8 . In one embodiment, a clinician or operator of the stapler  10  may articulate the end effector  12  relative to the shaft  8  by utilizing the articulation controls  16 ′ and/or  16 ″, as described in more detail in published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0158385 A1, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additional details regarding articulating end effectors and their control may be found in one or more of the following U.S. patent applications, the disclosures of each being hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: (1) SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN ARTICULATION MECHANISM HAVING ROTATION ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,973, filed 9 Jul. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,769; (2) SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN ARTICULATION JOINT FOR A FIRING BAR TRACK, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,962, filed 9 Jul. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,382; (3) SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A LATERAL-MOVING ARTICULATION CONTROL, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,972, filed 9 Jul. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,628; (4) SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A TAPERED FIRING BAR FOR INCREASED FLEXIBILITY AROUND THE ARTICULATION JOINT, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,974, filed 9 Jul. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,731; and (5) SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING ARTICULATION JOINT SUPPORT PLATES FOR SUPPORTING A FIRING BAR, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,971, filed 9 Jul. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,363. 
     The end effector  12  includes, in this example, among other things, a sealing member cartridge channel, such as staple cartridge channel  22 , and a pivotally translatable clamping member, such as an anvil  24 , which are maintained at a spacing that assures, when the anvil  24  is in its clamped or closed position, effective stapling and severing of tissue clamped in the end effector  12 . As discussed in more detail below, the staple cartridge channel  22  may releasably hold a staple cartridge  37  containing staples. The handle  6  includes a downwardly extending pistol grip  26 , towards which a closure trigger  18  is pivotally drawn by the clinician to cause clamping or closing of the anvil  24  toward the staple cartridge channel  22  of the end effector  12  to thereby clamp tissue positioned between the anvil  24  and channel  22 . The firing trigger  20  is farther outboard of the closure trigger  18 . Once the closure trigger  18  is locked in the closure position, the firing trigger  20  may rotate slightly toward the pistol grip  26  so that it can be reached by the operator using one hand. Then the operator may pivotally draw the firing trigger  20  toward the pistol grip  12  to cause the stapling and severing of clamped tissue in the end effector  12 . In other embodiments, different types of clamping members besides the anvil  24  could be used. The handle  6  may also include an upper portion  28  that may sit on top of the user&#39;s hand when the user grips the pistol grip portion  26  with his/her hand. 
     It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping the handle  6  of an stapler  10 . Thus, the end effector  12  is distal with respect to the more proximal handle  6 . It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical” and “horizontal” are used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical staplers are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute. 
     In operational use, referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the closure trigger  18  may be actuated first. Once the clinician is satisfied with the positioning of the end effector  12 , the clinician may draw back the closure trigger  18  to its fully closed, locked position proximate to the pistol grip  26 . The firing trigger  20  may then be actuated. The firing trigger  20  returns to the open position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) when the clinician removes pressure. A release button on the handle  6 , when depressed may release the locked closure trigger  18 . The release button may be implemented in various forms such as, for example, as disclosed in published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the end effector  12  may include a cutting member  26 , comprising a knife, for example, for cutting tissue clamped in the end effector  12  when the firing trigger  20  is retracted by a user. The end effector  12  may also comprise means for fastening and/or sealing the tissue severed by the cutting member, such as staples, two-part fasteners, RF electrodes, adhesives, etc. More details regarding possible configurations of the end effector  12  may be found in the following patents and published patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,680; U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,270; U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0173490 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0025809 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0102453 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0102452 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0206134 A1; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0206124 A1. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stapler  10  may also comprise a closure system for closing (or clamping) the end effector upon closure (or retraction) of the closure trigger  18 . More details regarding embodiments of an exemplary closure system for closing (or clamping) the anvil  24  of the end effector  12  by retracting the closure trigger  18  are provided in the following U.S. patent references, which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0232196 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0125956 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0158385 A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0175962 A1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849; and the references cited in the paragraph above. 
     A longitudinally movable drive shaft located within the shaft  8  of the stapler  10  may drive/actuate the cutting member and the fastening means in the end effector  12 . An electric motor, located in the pistol grip portion  26  of the handle  6  of the stapler  10 , may be used to drive, indirectly, the drive shaft, as described further herein. In various embodiments, the motor may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM. In other embodiments, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. A battery (or “power source” or “power pack”), such as a Li ion battery, may be provided in the pistol grip portion  26  of the handle  6  adjacent to the motor. The battery supplies electric power to the motor via a motor control circuit. According to various embodiments, a number of battery cells connected in series may be used as the power source to power the motor. In addition, the power source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. Additional details regarding surgical stapler  10  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100 entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, filed on Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     As noted above, the surgical stapler  10  may include a staple cartridge lockout. In particular, various components of such a lockout within and/or coupled to the end effector  12  may prevent the cutting member  26  and/or a staple driver sled  38 , within the end effector  12 , from actuating unless an unspent staple cartridge  37  is present in staple cartridge channel  22 . Exemplary lockouts and staple cartridges may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695), mentioned above among others. 
     An exemplary staple cartridge  37  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 . The staple cartridge  37  may be sized and configured to be received at least partially within staple cartridge channel  22 . The staple cartridge  37  may include a sled  38  that is configured to be driven by a cutting member  26  located within the end effector  12 . Accordingly, as cutting member  26  is fired and moves sled  38  in distal direction “DD,” staples (not shown) may be ejected from staple cavities and through sealing member or staple openings  39 . As used herein, a sealing member may include, but is not limited to, staples, two-part fasteners, adhesives, and the like. Accordingly, in various embodiments, a sealing member opening, such as staple openings  39 , may be configured to eject a sealing member therethrough. 
     While a staple cartridge lockout may be useful to prevent inadvertent firings of the stapler, a user, such as a surgeon or an operating room staff person, may desire to test each instrument prior to using it and/or presenting it to the surgeon. This may be especially true for electrically powered surgical instruments that require battery assembly. For example, a nurse typically runs a surgical drill for 1-3 seconds after connecting the battery and before handing the drill to a surgeon, ensuring the drill and battery are functioning properly. However, a surgical stapler, such as stapler  10 , may come equipped with the aforementioned safety lockout to prevent the device from functioning until it is properly and fully setup and placed in the actual surgical environment. Specifically, many instruments can only be test-fired by inserting and firing an actual fastener cartridge/reload, which could be costly and/or dangerous to do in the operating room instrument prep area (colloquially known as the “back table”). Such lockouts may prevent an operating room nurse, for example, from doing the testing necessary to gain confidence that the device is functional. 
     Focusing now on at least one non-limiting embodiment, as can be seen in  FIGS. 5-6 , a surgical instrument  1  is shown that may comprise a surgical tool, such as stapler  10 , that may be configured to supply an actuation motion or motions to an end effector  12 , and a surgical test device, such as test device  100 . As discussed above, the actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move through the end effector and/or eject sealing members, e.g., staples, from the end effector. Further, the surgical tool may be configured to perform an intended surgical function, such as eject a sealing member or members from the end effector  12 , be passed, at least partially, through a trocar or cannula (e.g., the end effector  12  and/or shaft  8  may be sized and configured to fit through the inner lumen of a trocar), and/or receive tissue within the end effector  12 . Also, the surgical test device may be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion or motions to the end effector, while preventing the surgical tool from performing at least one of its intended surgical functions. 
     In more detail, in one embodiment, the surgical test device  100  may be releasably attached to the end effector  12  of a surgical stapling and/or severing tool, such as stapler  10 , is shown. The end effector  12  may comprise a cutting member. Further, the surgical stapler  10  may also include a lockout mechanism, discussed below, configured to prevent the cutting member  26  from moving within the end effector  12  when the lockout engages at least a portion of the cutting member  26  (see  FIG. 4 ). As used herein and as described in more detail below, the lockout mechanism may include various portions of the surgical tool, such as, but not limited to, portions of the cutting member and/or the end effector. Further, the test device  100  may comprise a body  101  releasably engaged to the end effector  12 . Unlike a staple cartridge, the body lack staple cavities or slots for ejecting staples therethrough, and, accordingly, the test device need not include staples. Further, also discussed in more detail below, a release member may be coupled to the body and be configured to engage at least a portion of the lockout mechanism to prevent the lockout mechanism from engaging the cutting member  26 , thereby allowing one to test fire the surgical stapler  10 , without fear of ejecting a sealing member or members, such as staples, therefrom. 
     The surgical test device  100  may further prevent or reduce the probability that the device will be improperly used without an unspent staple cartridge. For example, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the test device  100 , owing to its relative size and when attached to a surgical stapling and/or severing tool, such as stapler  100 , may prevent the end effector  12  from being inserted into and/or through a trocar. In more detail, the surgical test device may further comprise a bottom wall  105  and at least one side wall, such as side walls  102  and  103 , extending from the bottom wall  101 . Further, an end wall, such as end wall  104 , for example, may also extend from the body  101  and connect with side walls  102 ,  103 . The bottom wall may be adjacent to the staple cartridge channel  22  and the side walls and/or end wall  104  may extend past staple cartridge channel  22  toward and/or past anvil  24 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 9 , the side walls  102 ,  103 , end wall  104 , and/or bottom wall  105  may define a cavity  106  that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the end effector  12 . In any event, referring back to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the side walls  102 ,  103  and/or end wall  104  may be size and configured to be larger than a trocar through which end effector  12  (when closed) and/or shaft  8  may normally, absent test device  100 , fit. In other words, the side walls  102 ,  103  and/or end wall  104  may serve as a guard against inserting the surgical instrument  1  through a trocar until a user removes test device  100  and inserts an unspent staple cartridge  37  (see  FIGS. 3-4 ). 
     Additionally, the surgical test device  100  may help prevent or reduce the probability that a user or another person may be unintentionally injured by the stapler  10 , or that a patient&#39;s tissue is cut without sealing members, e.g., staples, in the stapler  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the surgical test device  100  is shown in transparency for clarity. The test device  100  is attached to the end effector  12 , which is shown in an open position ( FIG. 7 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 8 ). As can be seen, the end effector&#39;s two jaw members, e.g., staple cartridge channel  22  and anvil  24 , are movable between the aforementioned open and closed positions and at least one of side walls  102 ,  103  and/or end wall  104  may be sized and configured to cover the staple cartridge channel  22  and anvil  24  when the channel  22  and  24  are in the open position. In other words, one or more of side walls  102 ,  103  and/or end wall  104  may extend away from the bottom wall  105 , past the open position ( FIG. 7 ) of the anvil  24 . Further, one or more of side walls  102 ,  103  may have a sloped profile, as shown, that correlates with the open position of the anvil  24 . The angle of the walls&#39; profile may be substantially equal to the angle of the open position of the anvil  24 . These angles may be measured with respect to the bottom wall  105  and/or staple cartridge channel  22 , which may be substantially parallel in orientation. Such a sloped profile of side walls  102 ,  103  may reduce the amount of material needed to manufacture surgical test device  100 . In any event, the side walls  102 ,  103 , and/or end wall  104  may serve as a guard to ensure that an unintended object, such as a patient&#39;s tissue and/or a non-patient&#39;s finger, for example, are not inserted into the surgical stapler  10  while the test device  100  is positioned on end effector  12 . Accordingly, one may be protected from the cutting member  26  (see  FIG. 4 ) and/or other sharp features of the end effector  12 . 
     The surgical test device  100  may be further configured to disable a lockout feature of the surgical stapler  10 . For example, the test device  100  may include a release member, such as release member  107 , that may be coupled to the body  101  and be configured to engage the lockout to prevent the same from engaging the cutting member, thereby allowing one to test fire the stapler  10  without wasting a staple cartridge  37  (see  FIGS. 3-4 ). Referring to  FIG. 9 , a top perspective view of the surgical test device  100  is shown unattached to an end effector.  FIG. 10  also shows a side cross-sectional view of the surgical test device  100  attached to an end effector  12  of surgical stapler  10  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ). In  FIG. 10 , two jaw members, e.g., staple cartridge channel  22  and anvil  24 , and a cutting member  26  are illustrated; however, various additional components are omitted for the purposes of clarity. Additional exemplary details regarding such components may again be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695), noted above. Further, the cutting member  26  is shown in transparency in  FIGS. 10 and 12-13C  for the purposes of clarity. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the release member  107  may protrude from the bottom wall  105  of body  101 . The release member  107  may be separately formed and then attached to the body  101 , or the release member  107  may be unitary and integrally formed from the same piece of material as the body  101 . Regardless, release member  107  may be positioned and configured to engage at least one component of a lockout mechanism of a surgical stapling and/or severing tool, such as stapler  10  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ). 
     In more detail, portions of such a lockout mechanism may be best seen in  FIGS. 11-12 .  FIG. 11  shows a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the surgical test device  100  attached to the end effector  10  of the surgical stapler  10 . The cutting member  26  may be coupled to a firing bar  29  that is configured to apply an actuation or firing motion, to push, or to otherwise move the cutting member in a distal direction DD when the firing trigger  20  (see  FIGS. 5-6 ) is actuated. Further, the firing bar may retract the cutting member  26  to a starting position shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , for example, upon completion of the firing stroke. The firing bar  29  may be biased toward the bottom of the staple cartridge channel  22  by a spring, such as leaf spring  31  that slidingly contacts a portion of firing bar  29 . Further, the cutting member  26  may include wings or pins  27  that extend laterally therefrom. Thus, when the firing bar  29  drives the cutting member  26  in the distal direction DD, the cutting member  26 , at least initially, and the pins  27  are driven towards the bottom of staple channel  22 . 
     The staple channel  22  may further include a lockout trough  23  located near the starting position of the cutting member  26  that is sized and configured to receive the pins  27 . Accordingly, when the cutting member  26  is moved distally from the starting position shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pins  27  may become lodged or otherwise stuck in trough  23 , thereby preventing further distal movement of the cutting member  26 , see  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  illustrates the cutting member  26  resting in the lockout trough  23  in a locked position. 
     In normal use, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 11 , when a staple cartridge  37  is inserted in staple cartridge channel  22 , a notch  32  at the distal portion of cutting member  26  may engage sled  38  and thereby prevent the pins  27  from moving into lockout trough  23 . Further exemplary details regarding overcoming the lockout mechanism with a staple cartridge may be found in the above mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695). 
     In at least one embodiment, the lockout may be overcome by the surgical test device  100 . In other words, the surgical test device  100  may prevent the pins  27  from becoming lodged in lockout trough  23 . Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13C , the surgical test device  100  is shown attached to the end effector  12  as the cutting member is moved into a release member of the test device and over the lockout trough. In more detail,  FIG. 13A  shows the cutting member  26  in a starting position, as mentioned above.  FIG. 13B  shows the cutting member  26  as it is being advanced in a distal direction DD. The cutting member  26  and pins  27  are being biased towards lockout trough  23  by spring  29  (see  FIG. 11 ). However, as the pins  27  commence to enter the trough  23 , a bottom portion  30  of cutting member  26  contacts a ramp or inclined surface  108  of release member  107 . As the cutting member  26  is further fired in the distal direction DD, the cutting member  26  may slide up the inclined surface  108  to prevent the pins  27  from engaging the lockout trough  23 .  FIG. 13C  shows the cutting member  26  as it is further advanced distally such that the bottom portion  30  slides along a plateau or elevated surface  109  formed in the body  101 , for example, thereby allowing the cutting member  26  to smoothly move through the end effector  12 . 
     While the cutting member  26  is moving distally through the end effector  12 , a user may wish to observe or otherwise confirm the cutting member&#39;s travel therethrough, to ensure that the surgical stapler  10  (see  FIG. 5 ) is functioning appropriately. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the surgical test device  100  may include features to inform a user that the stapler  10  is properly firing. In at least one embodiment, the user may visually see the cutting member  26  move. For example, referring again to  FIG. 9 , the test device  100  may include openings or slots  111  defined by end wall  104  and/or bottom wall  105 . Further, referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , for example, the bottom portion  30  of the cutting member may be externally accessible and/or visible through a slot in the bottom of staple channel  22 . Thus, when viewed from the underside, the advancement of cutting member  26 , while surgical test device  100  is attached to end effector  12 , may be at least partially viewed through slots  111  (see  FIG. 9 ). Further, the body  101  may be transparent, thereby allowing one to also see the cutting member  26  move through the end effector  12  through one or more of walls  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105 . 
     The surgical test device  100  may be releasably engaged to an end effector  12  as follows. Flex or snap tabs  110  may be attached to, formed in, and/or defined by side walls  102 ,  103 . Each tab  110  may be configured to releasably engage a portion of the end effector  12 , such as staple cartridge channel  22  (see  FIG. 10 ) and cooperate with bottom wall  105  to hold the end effector  12  thereto. Accordingly, referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the end effector  12  may be pressed into cavity  106  until tabs  110  snap onto the staple cartridge channel  22 , for example. The tabs  110  may also be configured to resist the forces created when the cutting member  26  contacts the release member  107 , and thereby hold the test device  100  in place during firing of the cutting member  26 . 
     Removing the surgical test device  100  from the end effector may be effectuated by pulling, twisting, and/or otherwise dislocating the tabs  110  from the end effector  12 . In at least one embodiment, the test device&#39;s body  101  may be flexible and/or made of a resilient plastic material or materials. Further, the slot  111  defined by end wall  104  may be open at the top of the test device  100 , see  FIG. 9 , thereby better allowing the body  101  to be pealed off the end effector  12 , owing to separation between portions of end wall  104 . Also, the test device  100  may further comprise at least one finger tab or grip  112  extending from the at least one side wall such that a user may grip the test device  100  and apply the aforementioned pealing motion. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 9 , the surgical test device may also include positioning tabs  113  extending from the side walls and configured to slidably engage the anvil  24  when the anvil is opened and closed, see  FIGS. 7-8 . Positioning tabs  113  may help align the distal portion of the test device when opening and closing the anvil  24  with respect to the staple cartridge channel  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when firing the surgical stapler  10 , the side walls  102 ,  103  may tend to flex near the release member  107  as the cutting member  26  is advanced over the release member  107 , jeopardizing clearance of the lockout trough  23  by pins  27 . Accordingly, the surgical test device may further comprise at least one reinforcing rib  114  connected to and/or formed in the side walls  102 ,  103 . To overcome the aforementioned flexing, the reinforcing ribs  114  may also be located at the same longitudinal position along the body  101  as where the release member is located, see  FIG. 10 . 
     Further, referring again to  FIG. 9 , to better maintain position and alignment at the distal portion of the test device  100  when the release member  107  is engaged by cutting member  26 , a raised surface  115  including a boss  116  extending from the bottom wall  105  may be incorporated and/or attached to the body  101 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the end effector  12  is received in cavity  106 , the outer surface of staple cartridge channel  22  may nest on raised surface  115  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the boss  116  may engage a bottom groove of the channel  22  (see  FIG. 10 ). Also, as the cutting member  26  engages the release member  107 , the distal portion of the test device  100  may be urged upwards; the boss  116  and/or raised surface  115  accordingly may help prevent the test device  100  from moving undesirably during actuation of the cutting member over the lockout trough  23  (see  FIGS. 13B-13C ) by stabilizing the distal portion of the test device  100  against the end effector  12 . 
     Additionally, the surgical test device  100 , in at least one embodiment may also include one or more of the following. The surgical test device  100  may be attached to a surgical tool, such as stapler  10  (see  FIG. 5 ), before shipping the stapler  10  to a user. Thus, the test device  100  may also help protect the end effector  12  during storage and/or shipment. Also, the surgical test device may be clearly marked for use in test firing only and/or for disposal prior to surgical use. 
     In various embodiments, a surgical test device may include features to benefit a surgical tool with an articulating end effector. For example, referring now to  FIGS. 14-16 , various views of a surgical test device  200  are provided.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view the test device  200 ,  FIG. 15  is a side cross-sectional view of the test device  200 , and  FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the surgical test device  200 . The test device  200  may be similar to that described above and may include release member  207  extending from body  201 , a finger grip (with a visual instruction, “PULL”) also extending from the body  201 , and slots  211  defined in the body  211  (see  FIG. 16 ). However, the surgical test device may further comprise a panel  218  hingedly mounted to a proximal portion  217  of the body  201 . The panel  218  may be hingedly mounted to the proximal body portion  217  by a living hinge  219  or other known hinges, for example. While the panel  218  is shown in an open position in  FIGS. 14-16 , the panel  218  may be configured to cover an articulation pivot, such as articulation pivot  14  adjacent to end effector  12  of surgical stapler  10  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ), for example, when in a closed position and when the surgical test device  200  is releasably engaged to the end effector, as described above. The panel  218  may also include a lip  220  extending therefrom that is configured to engage the proximal body portion  217  when the panel  218  is closed, to create a releasable snap fit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 and 14 , the panel  218  may serve at least two functions. First, the panel  218 , when closed and in conjunction with proximal body portion  218 , may assist in protecting the articulation pivot  14  during transportation and/or storage of the surgical stapler  10 , for example. Second, the panel  218 , again when closed and in conjunction with proximal body portion  218 , may also help contain or hold lubricant against the articulation pivot  14 , until the stapler  10  is ready for use in a patient, at which point, the panel  218  may be opened as seen in  FIG. 14 , for example, and the test device  200  removed from the stapler  10  by pulling the finger grip  212  away from the stapler  10 . 
     In various embodiments, a surgical test device may engage the lockout mechanism of a surgical tool differently than that described above. For example, while the above-described release members engaged the lockout mechanism of stapler  10  by protruding from outside the end effector  12  and through the staple cartridge channel  22  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ), a surgical test device may include a release member that is configured to engage the lockout mechanism without passing through the staple cartridge channel  22 , in a manner that may be at least partially similar to the way that a regular, unspent staple cartridge prevents the lockout from functioning. 
     In at least one embodiment and referring to  FIGS. 17-18 , a surgical test device  300  may include a body  301  that is sized and configured to fit within a staple cartridge channel  22  (see  FIG. 10 ) in place of a staple cartridge  37  (see  FIG. 4 ).  FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the surgical test device  300  and  FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view of a proximal portion of the test device  300 . The surgical test device  300  may further comprise a release member  307  that includes a projection  322  extending from a cantilevered arm  321  formed in body  301 . Further, the projection  322 , cantilevered arm  321 , and/or body  301  may define a slot that is sized and configured to receive cutting member  26  therethrough (see, again,  FIG. 4 ). 
     The release member  307  may engage the lockout mechanism of a surgical tool, such as stapler  10 , as follows. Referring to  FIG. 17  for test device  300  and  FIG. 11  for the stapler&#39;s components, when test device  300  is inserted in staple cartridge channel  22 , the notch  32  at the distal portion of cutting member  26  may engage release member  307  at projection  22  and thereby prevent the pins  27  from moving into lockout trough  23 . As the cutting member  26  is advanced in a distal direction DD, the cantilevered arm  321  may flex away from the cutting member  26 , thereby allowing the cutting member  26  to pass. After the cutting member  26  passes the projection  22 , the cantilevered arm  26  may resiliently bend back into the initial position seen in  FIG. 18 , for example. Accordingly, as with test devices  100  and  200 , discussed above, the test device  300  may be used multiple times within the same surgical stapler  10 . Notably, the projection  322  may be positioned with respect to body  301  such that the projection  322  may engage the cutting member notch  32  before the cutting member pins  27  move into or otherwise engage the lockout trough  23 . Also, as can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the body  301  does not include any staple cavities or openings therein. 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 17 , the surgical test device  300  may further include walls  302 ,  303 , and  304  formed at the distal portion of the body  301 . As can be seen, the side walls  302  and  303  may only extend partially along the length of an end effector  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, owing to the lack of a wall along the length of an end effector, a user may not only observe a cutting member moving through an end effector from the bottom of the end effector, but he or she may also directly observe a cutting member moving from the side of the end effector. 
     In at least one embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 19-20 , a surgical test device, such as surgical test device  400 , may be similar to a staple cartridge  37  (see  FIGS. 3-4 ), except at least that the test device  400  does not include staple cavities, staple openings, or staples or any other form of a sealing member cavity, sealing member opening, or sealing member(s). Additional details regarding a staple cartridge may be found in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695). In more detail, referring back to  FIGS. 19-20 , the surgical test device  400  may include a body  401  that is sized and configured to engage a staple cartridge channel  22 . In particular, the body  401  is designed to fit at least partially within the staple cartridge channel  22  and may comprise a lower portion  401   a  and an upper portion  40   b . Further, the body  401  lacks staple or sealing member openings defined in upper surface  423 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , the test device  400  may further include a release member  407  coupled to the body that is configured to engage a lockout on a surgical severing and/or sealing device, such as stapler  10  (see  FIG. 20 ). As can be seen in  FIG. 19 , the release member  407  may comprise a movable member, such as sled  425 , held between lower and upper body portions,  401   a  and  401   b , respectively. The movable sled  425  may be similar to sled  38  discussed above with respect to staple cartridge  37  (see  FIG. 3 ). In any event, referring to  FIGS. 11 and 19 , the sled may include a release surface  424  that is configured to engage the notch  32  at the distal portion of cutting member  26  as the cutting member  26  is advanced in a distal direction DD and thereby prevent the pins  27  from moving into lockout trough  23 . As the cutting member  26  is driven distally, the sled  425  may be unable to return to the initial position shown in  FIG. 19 , and thus the surgical test device  400  may be a single use device. Limiting the test device  400  to a single use may be beneficial to help protect the battery life of an electrically powered surgical stapler, such as stapler  10 , as the lockout mechanism may then re-engage the cutting member once the cutting member is returned to it its starting position, as described above. 
     While surgical test device  400  may include at least three parts (i.e., lower body portion  401   a , upper body portion  401   b , and sled  425 ), a surgical test device including a movable sled may only have two parts: a body and a movable sled. For example, in at least one embodiment and referring to  FIG. 21 , a side perspective view of a surgical test device  500  is shown. Similar to surgical test devices  300  and  400 , described above, the surgical test device  500  may include a body  501  sized and configured to at least partially fit inside and engage a cartridge channel of a surgical severing and/or sealing device, such as stapler  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Further, the body  501  does not have staple cavities, staple openings, or staples or any other form of a sealing member cavity, sealing member opening, or sealing member(s). The surgical test device  500  may further include a release member  507  coupled to the body that is configured to engage a lockout on the surgical stapler  10 . Similar to that described above, the release member  507  may be a movable member, such as sled  525 . However, body  501  may be a single piece and movable sled  525  may be slidably engaged in a slot  511  defined by body  501 . For example, the sled  525  may include snap-fit features to allow the sled  525  to be snapped into slot  511 . In any event, sled  525  may at least slide in a distal direction DD along slot  511 . In use, the sled  525  may function similar to sled  425 , described above, at least in that the sled  525  may include a surface (not shown) that is configured to engage the notch  32  on cutting member  26  such that the pins  27  do not engage the lockout trough  23  (see  FIG. 11 ) as the cutting member is advanced in the distal direction DD. Again, as the cutting member is driven distally, the sled  525  may be unable to return to the initial position shown in  FIG. 21 , and thus the surgical test device  500  may be a single use device and provide various related advantages. 
     The surgical test device  500  may include walls  502 ,  503 , and  504 , similar to that discussed above. At least one wall, such as wall  502  may include a symbol  526  formed, printed, and/or attached thereon that indicates to a user that the test device  500  is disposable. 
     While the embodiments have been described, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to the embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the various embodiments. For example, according to various embodiments, a single component or step may be replaced by multiple components or steps, and multiple components or steps may be replaced by a single component or step, to perform a given function or functions or accomplish a given objective. Further, the various components described above may be made from a variety of materials. For example, the components may be made from any combination of metal, plastic, and/or a biocompatible material. Additionally, while in at least one embodiment, an electrically powered surgical stapler  10  is described for use with a surgical test device, a surgical test device, according to one or more of the various embodiments described herein, may be used with a manually powered surgical severing and/or sealing instrument, such as the surgical stapler described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,503, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695), mentioned above. This application is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
     The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the devices can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include a combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devices can be disassembled, and any number of particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the devices can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of different techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application. 
     The devices described herein may be processed before surgery. First a new or used instrument is obtained and, if necessary, cleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK® bag. The container and instrument are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or higher energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility. 
     Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.