Patent Publication Number: US-11395656-B2

Title: Surgical stapling apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/463,373, filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/161,995, filed Jan. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,628, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/779,669, filed Mar. 13, 2013. Each of these disclosures is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling apparatuses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to surgical stapling apparatuses including knife drive lockout mechanisms. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Surgical stapling apparatus configured to staple, and subsequently sever tissue are well known in the art. Such stapling apparatuses typically include a housing or handle and an elongated member that extends from the housing. In certain instances, single use or multi use loading unit (MULU) reload may be configured to releasably couple to a distal end of the elongated member. In either of the aforementioned reload configurations, a tool assembly including an anvil and a cartridge may be provided on respective jaws of the reload to staple tissue. The tool assembly can include a knife to sever the stapled tissue. The reload can include a drive member having a working end which supports the knife and advances an actuation sled through the tool assembly to staple and sever tissue. 
     While the aforementioned reload configurations provide numerous advantages, it may be desirable to prevent inadvertent advancement of the drive member of the reload when a staple cartridge is absent from the tool assembly or has been fired. 
     SUMMARY 
     As can be appreciated, surgical stapling apparatuses that include knife drive lockout mechanisms may prove useful in the surgical arena. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical stapling apparatus (a stapler). The stapler includes a housing. An elongated member extends from the housing. A reload is supported on a distal end of the elongated member. The reload includes a first jaw member that releasably supports a cartridge and a second jaw member that supports an anvil. The cartridge includes a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members. A drive member includes a working end that is configured to translate through the reload when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. The working end urged to move toward the lockout step(s). In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step(s). And, in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end of the slide deflector with the lockout step(s) to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position. 
     The drive member may include a beam including a distal end having a pre-bent configuration that biases the working end towards the lockout step(s). One or more resilient member may be configured to bias the working end towards the lockout step(s). The resilient member(s) may be coupled to a pivoting member of the surgical stapling apparatus. The resilient member(s) may include a generally arcuate contacting portion that allows the working end to slide therepast and into contact with one of the slide deflector and lockout step(s). The lockout step(s) may be provided on each of the anvil and first jaw member. 
     The slide deflector may be removably coupled to an actuation sled of the cartridge. The slide deflector may include one or more detents thereon that may be configured to engage a corresponding indent on the working end and a corresponding indent disposed within the cartridge. The slide deflector includes a mechanical interface that is configured to engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the cartridge. The mechanical interfaces disposed on the slide deflector and within the cartridge form a dovetail joint. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical stapling apparatus (a stapler). The stapler includes a housing. An elongated member extends from the housing. A reload is supported on a distal end of the elongated member. The reload includes a first jaw member that releasably supports a cartridge and a second jaw member that supports an anvil. The cartridge includes a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members. A drive member includes a working end that is configured to translate through the reload when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. The working end urged to move toward the lockout step(s). One or more resilient members are positioned for biasing the working end towards the at least one lockout step. In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step(s). And, in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end of the slide deflector with the lockout step(s) to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position. 
     The resilient member(s) may be coupled to a pivoting member of the surgical stapling apparatus. The resilient member(s) may include a generally arcuate contacting portion that allows the working end to slide therepast and into contact with one of the slide deflector and lockout step(s). The lockout step(s) may be provided on each of the anvil and first jaw member. 
     The slide deflector may be removably coupled to an actuation sled of the cartridge. The slide deflector may include one or more detents thereon that may be configured to engage a corresponding indent on the working end and a corresponding indent disposed within the cartridge. The slide deflector includes a mechanical interface that is configured to engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the cartridge. The mechanical interfaces disposed on the slide deflector and within the cartridge form a dovetail joint. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a reload configured to couple to a surgical stapling apparatus. The reload includes a cartridge that is supported on a first jaw member of the reload. The cartridge includes a slide deflector movable from movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members. A drive member includes a working end configured to translate through the reload when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. The working end urged to move toward the lockout step(s). In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step(s). And, in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end of the slide deflector with the lockout step(s) to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side, perspective view of a powered surgical stapling apparatus supporting a reload; 
         FIG. 2  is a side, perspective view of a manual surgical stapling apparatus supporting a reload; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side, perspective view of the reload of  FIGS. 1 and 2  including a drive lockout mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top, perspective view of a tool assembly and drive member of the reload with parts separated to illustrate a channel assembly configured to provide a path for translation of a knife; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a cartridge usable with the tool assembly shown in  FIG. 3B  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the actuation sled of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top, perspective view of the cartridge; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a proximal end of the cartridge with the actuation sled and a slide deflector of the cartridge separated from the proximal end of the cartridge; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the proximal end of the cartridge with the actuation sled and the slide deflector supported within the cartridge; 
         FIG. 10  is a side, perspective view of the knife and the slide deflector of the reload; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the jaw member of the tool assembly of the reload shown in  FIG. 3B  with the cartridge shown in  FIG. 4  separated from one another; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top, perspective view of the distal end of the reload illustrating the tool assembly with a cartridge coupled to a jaw member and the jaw members in an approximated position; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom, perspective view of the distal end of the reload shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 15  with the anvil removed; 
         FIG. 17  is an elevational view illustrating a proximal end of the tool assembly with the drive member and slide deflector in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal end of the tool assembly with the drive member and slide deflector in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal end of the tool assembly with the drive member and slide deflector as the knife and slide deflector start to move distally; 
         FIG. 20  is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal end of the tool assembly with the knife retracted after the tool assembly has been fired and the slide deflector in the distal most position and the drive member in a locked-out configuration; 
         FIG. 21  is a top, elevational view illustrating a proximal end of the tool assembly shown in  FIG. 20  with the drive member in the locked-out configuration; 
         FIG. 22  is a top, elevational view of a drive member configured for the use with the reload depicted in  FIG. 3  according to an alternate embodiment of the instant disclosure; and 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a powered surgical stapling apparatus shown generally as  100 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a manual surgical stapling apparatus shown generally as  200 . The powered apparatus includes one or more motors and an internal or external power source, whereas the manual apparatus  200  has a movable handle  236  and a mechanism for driving the functions of the apparatus. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,361; 5,782,396; International WO 04/032,760; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0276741; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/444,228, the entire contents of each of these disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Briefly, the surgical stapling apparatus  100  includes a housings or stationary handle  102  having an actuator  136  and an elongated member  104  extending from housing  102  ( FIG. 1 ). Likewise, surgical stapling apparatus  200  includes a housing  202  or stationary handle supporting a movable handle  236  and an elongated member  204  extending from housing  202 . Surgical stapling apparatus  200  includes a retraction mechanism  216  ( FIG. 2 ) that can be manually grasped and pulled proximally to retract a firing mechanism of the apparatus  200 . Each of elongated members  104 ,  204  is configured to removably couple to a reload  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , the reload  106  includes a shaft portion  109  and a tool assembly  107  supported on a distal end of the shaft portion  109 . The tool assembly  107  includes first and second jaw members  108 ,  110  which are movable from a spaced apart configuration ( FIG. 2 ) for positioning tissue therebetween to an approximated configuration ( FIG. 13 ) for clamping tissue for subsequent stapling thereof. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the tool assembly  107  with the jaw members  108 ,  110  separated and a drive member “D” having a drive beam  103  having which supports a working end  101 . Working end  101  has an I-beam configuration having top and bottom flanges  118   a ,  118   b  and includes distal abutment surface  118   c  which engages a central support wedge  113   a  ( FIG. 4 ) of an actuation sled  115 . Working end  101  is configured to move through the tool assembly  107  which includes knife channel portions  114   a ,  114   b  that are defined through an anvil  111  which is supported on the jaw member  110  and jaw member  108 , respectively. Specifically, the working end  101  of the drive beam  103  moves from a retracted position to an extended position to advance knife  105  and the actuation sled  115  to staple and sever tissue. The knife  105  is positioned to travel slightly behind the actuation sled  115  during a stapling procedure to form an incision between rows of stapled tissue. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , a pivot assembly  150  is provided at a distal end of shaft  109  which pivotally couples tool assembly  107  to shaft  109 . Pivot assembly  150  includes bottom and top portions  151   a ,  151   b  that are operably coupled to one another and to jaw members  108 ,  110 , respectively, so as to allow articulation of jaw members  108 ,  110  ( FIG. 3B ) about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the reload  106 . 
     Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,361 and 7,225,963, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, for a more detailed discussion of the construction and operation of reload  106 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3B-5 , jaw member  108  of tool assembly  107  is configured to support a removable cartridge assembly  112  (cartridge  112 ) thereon. Cartridge  112  includes a plurality of fasteners  117   a  and a plurality of pusher members  117   b  that are operatively engaged with one or more the fasteners  117   a . Cartridge  112  includes one or more retention slots  119  that are positioned longitudinally along a tissue contacting surface  121  of cartridge  112  and are configured to house fasteners  117   a . A cartridge housing  123  ( FIG. 4 ) is couple to jaw member  108 . In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, cartridge  112  may be coupled to jaw  108  using detents  125  ( FIG. 4 ), latches, clips or the like. A removable and replaceable cartridge is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/280,880 entitled Multi-Use Loading Unit, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-12 , the reload  106  includes a locking mechanism that is configured to lock-out the drive member “D” so as to prevent firing of the apparatus when a cartridge  112  has not been installed in the jaw member  108  or when the cartridge  112  installed in jaw member  108  has already been fired. The locking mechanism includes a slide deflector  130  provided at a proximal end of cartridge  112  which is configured to prevent deflection of the working end  101  of the drive member “D” when the slide deflector  130  is in a retracted position prior to firing of the staple cartridge  112 . Slide deflector  130  includes a generally elongated configuration having proximal and distal ends  131   a ,  131   b , respectively, and is and releasably coupled to actuation sled  115 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slide deflector  130  is supported between raised wedge supports of the actuation sled  115  to releasably couple the slide deflector  130  to the actuation sled  115 . More specifically, slide deflector  130  is coupled to actuation sled  115  between central wedge support  113   a  and a right wedge support  113   b  of actuation sled  115  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the pre-installed configuration of cartridge  112 , proximal end  131   a  of slide deflector  130  extends proximally past a proximal edge of actuation sled  115 . Proximal end  131   a  of slide deflector  130  defines an angled surface which is positioned to deflect abutment surfaces  118   c ,  118   d  of working end  101  of the drive member “D” away from respective lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  that are provided on anvil  111  and cartridge  112 , respectively, when the cartridge  112  is installed into the jaw member  108 . By deflecting working end  101  in this manner, the drive member “D” is permitted to translate distally past lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  and through knife channels  114   a ,  114   b  to effect the stapling and severing of tissue. 
     A detent  133  is provided adjacent a distal end  131   b  of slide deflector  130  and includes an inside portion  134   a  that is configured to securely engage a corresponding indent  137   a  that is provided on an interior sidewall  137   b  of cartridge  112  ( FIG. 7 ). Detent  133  includes an outside portion  134   b  that is configured to releasably engage a corresponding indent  138  that is provided on working end  101  of the drive member “D.” Detent  138  is positioned adjacent top flange  118   a . In accordance with the instant disclosure, as working end  101  of drive member “D” moves distally and advances actuation sled  115  within cartridge  112 , outside portion  134   b  releasably engages indent  138  on working end  101  to advance the slide deflector  130  distally within cartridge  112 . The slide deflector  130  will move distally with working end  101  of drive member “D” until the inside portion  134   a  of detent  133  engages indent  137   a  on interior wall  137   b  of cartridge  112 . 
     Slide deflector  130  includes a sidewall  140  that extends along one side of the slide deflector  130  and defines a groove  141  configured to receive therein a corresponding guide member  139  which extends from an interior sidewall  137   b  of cartridge  112  ( FIG. 8 ). Interior sidewall  137   b  including guide member  139  is positioned within cartridge  112  to allow distal translation of actuation sled  115  through cartridge  112 . In one embodiment, groove  141  has a dovetail configuration and receives the guide member  139  of corresponding shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , in accordance with the instant disclosure, when working end  101  of drive member “D” is advanced to contact and advance the actuation sled  115 , actuation sled  115  initially moves independently of the slide deflector  130 . Continued distal translation of working end  101  causes outside portion  134   b  of detent  133  of slide deflector  130  to releasably engage corresponding indent  138  of working end  101  to couple slide deflector  130  to working end  101  such that slide deflector  130  and working end  101  move distally in unison. Further distal translation of working end  101  causes groove  141  to receive guide member  139 . Guide member  139  guides slide deflector  130  into engagement with interior wall  145  to prevent further distal movement of the slide deflector  130 . When distal end  131   b  of slide deflector  130  contacts interior wall  145 , outside portion  134   b  of slide deflector  130  disengages from corresponding indent  138  of working end  101  of drive member “D.” With groove  141  engaged with guide member  139 , slide deflector  130  is secured to interior sidewall  137   b  and prevented from further movement within cartridge  112 . More specifically, when working end  101  is moved back to the retracted configuration slide deflector  130  is retained in the advanced position with the distal end  131   b  in contact with interior wall  145 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3B , and with reference to  FIG. 11 , resilient member  152  is provided adjacent a proximal end of jaw member  108  and is configured to bias working end  101  of drive member “D” towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  of anvil  111  and cartridge  112 , respectively. Specifically, resilient member  152  is coupled to an extension  153  of bottom portion  151   b  of pivot assembly  150  ( FIG. 3B ). In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a pair of rivets  155   a ,  155   b  are configured to extend through apertures  157   a ,  157   b  that are provided at a proximal coupling end  156   a  of resilient member  152  and corresponding apertures  158   a ,  158   b  defined in extension  153  to secure the resilient member  152  to the pivot assembly  150  at the proximal end of the tool assembly  107 . Alternatively, other coupling methods may be used to secure the resilient member  142  to the cartridge  112 . In some embodiments, resilient member  152  may be operably coupled to an interior wall of jaw member  108  and/or cartridge  112 . 
     A generally arcuate contacting portion  156   b  is provided on resilient member  152  and extends from proximal coupling end  156   a  to bias working end  101  of drive member “D” towards slide deflector  130  (when the slide deflector  130  is in a retracted position) and/or lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . The arcuate contacting portion  156   b  is configured to allow working end  101  of drive member “D” to move past the contacting portion  156   b  and into contact with slide deflector  130  and/or lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  ( FIGS. 17-21 ). In addition, arcuate contacting portion  156   b  is configured to permit movement of the working end  101  back to the retracted configuration after the cartridge  112  has been fired. Arcuate contacting portion  156   b  is configured to extend into knife channels  114   a ,  114   b  (see  FIGS. 17-18 ) and includes a spring constant that is capable of biasing the working end  101  towards slide deflector  130  without imparting too much biasing force that would substantially alter a translation path of the working end  101 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11-14 , lockout out step  120   b  is provided adjacent knife channel  114   b  ( FIGS. 12 and 14 ) and is configured to contact abutment surface  118   d  of the working end  101  ( FIG. 21 ). Lockout step  120   b  may be formed in jaw member  108  during a manufacturing process thereof. Contact between lockout step  120   b  and abutment surface  118   d  of working end  101  of drive member “D” prevents re-advancement of the drive member “D”, as discussed in further detail below. 
       FIGS. 15-16  illustrate jaw member  110  having anvil  111  coupled thereto. Anvil  111  includes a plurality of buckets or depressions  107  (see  FIG. 3A , for example) that are configured to receive corresponding fasteners  117   a  therein when fasteners  117   a  are deployed from cartridge  112 . Lockout step  120   a  is provided at a proximal end of anvil  111  adjacent knife channel  114   a  and functions in a manner similar to lockout step  120   b . Specifically, lock out step  120   a  is configured to contact abutment surface  118   c  of working end  101  to prevent re-advancement of the drive member “D”. Lockout step  120   a  is defined in anvil  111  and covered by jaw member  110  ( FIG. 15 ). Lockout step  120   a  may be aligned with lockout step  120   b . Alternatively, lockout step  120   a  and  120   b  may offset or otherwise configured to accommodate various surgical procedures and/or needs. 
     While cartridge  112  and anvil  111  have both been described herein as including respective lockout steps  120   b ,  120   a , it is within the purview of the instant disclosure for only one of anvil  111  or cartridge  112  to include a lockout step. As can be appreciated, however, having two lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  provides more protection to prevent re-advancement of the drive member “D” after firing of a cartridge  112 . For purposes herein, it is assumed that abutment surface  118   c  contacts lockout step  120   a  at approximately the same time abutment surface  118   d  contacts lockout step  120   b.    
     In use, when a cartridge assembly  112  is not installed on jaw member  108 , knife contacting portion  156   b  of resilient member  152  extends into knife channels  114   a ,  114   b  ( FIG. 17 ). With knife contacting portion  156   b  in this configuration, engagement between knife contacting portion  156   b  and working end  101  of drive member “D” biases abutment surfaces  118   c ,  118   d  into respective lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  as the drive member “D” is advanced distally within cartridge  112  to prevent further advancement of drive member “D”. 
     When cartridge  112  is installed on jaw member  108 , proximal end  131   a  of slide deflector  130  is positioned proximally past lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  ( FIG. 18 ). In this position, slide deflector  130  prevents abutment surfaces  118 ,  118   d  of working end  101  from engaging respective lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . As a result thereof, drive member “D” including working end  101  is allowed to translate distally past slide deflector  130  ( FIG. 19 ) and engage actuation sled  115  in a manner as described above. 
     Drive member “D” may then be moved proximally past slide deflector  103  and resilient member  152  until working end  101  returns to the retracted configuration. With the working end  101  of drive member “D” in the retracted position and the slide deflector  130  in the advanced position the slide deflector  130  is no longer positioned to prevent deflecting of the working end  101  into steps  120   a ,  120   b  by resilient member  152 . Once working end  101  returns back to the retracted configuration, knife contacting portion  156   b  of resilient member  152  deflects the working end  101  of drive member “D” towards steps  120   a ,  120   b  to prevent further advancement of dive member “D” in a manner as described above ( FIGS. 20-21 ). 
     The unique configuration of the locking mechanism including slide deflector  130  and resilient member  152  overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks that are, typically, associated with conventional surgical stapling apparatus. Specifically, slide deflector  130  including resilient member  152  prevents inadvertent advancement of the drive member “D” when a staple cartridge is absent from the tool assembly  107  or has been fired. 
     From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, the surgical stapling apparatus  100 ,  200  have been described herein as including a resilient member  152  that is configured to bias working end  101  towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b , other methods and/or devices may be utilized to bias working end  101  towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b.    
     For example, with reference to  FIGS. 22-23 , an alternate embodiment of locking mechanism is illustrated. This embodiment is substantially similar to the aforementioned embodiment that utilized working end  101 . Accordingly, only those features that are unique to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 22-23  are described herein. 
     Unlike working end  101  that is configured to be biased towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b  via resilient member  152 , a distal end  203   a  of drive beam  203  is self biased towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . Specifically, distal end  203   a  is pre-bent in a direction towards lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . Distal end  203   a  may be bent to provide any suitable spring constant, e.g., a spring constant approximately equal to the spring constant provided by resilient member  152 . 
     In use, when cartridge assembly  112  is not installed on jaw member  108 , the pre-bent distal end  203   a  of the drive beam  203  biases the working end  201  into engagement with the aforementioned lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . Accordingly, working end  201  of the drive member “D” is prevented form advancing distally. 
     When cartridge  112  is installed on jaw member  108 , proximal end  131   a  of slide deflector  130  is positioned proximally of lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . Accordingly, slide deflector  130  deflects the abutment surfaces of working end  201  from engaging respective lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b . As a result thereof, the drive member including working end  201  is allowed to translate distally past slide deflector  130  and engage actuation sled  115  in a manner as described above. 
     The drive member may then be moved proximally until the working end  201  is back to the retracted configuration. Once working end  201  is moved back to the retracted configuration and the slide deflector  130  is in its distal position (no longer positioned to deflect working end  201  past lockout steps  120   a ,  120   b ), the pre-bent configuration of distal end  203   a  locks out the drive member in a manner as described above. 
     The figures show a replaceable loading unit with surgical stapling and a shaft (such as a shaft  109 ) that can be attached to a surgical stapling apparatus. Other configurations are contemplated. For example, the replaceable loading unit can itself have a removable and replaceable cartridge assembly. Alternatively, the jaws of the instrument can be permanently attached and configured to receive a removable and replaceable cartridge. 
     Further, in embodiments it may prove advantageous not to utilize outside portion  134   b  and corresponding indent  138 . In this embodiment, the aforementioned indent/detent configuration that was described above in conjunction with coupling slide deflector  130  with actuation sled  125  may be configured to maintain slide deflector  130  engaged with actuation sled  125  after working end  101  contacts actuation sled  115 . As can be appreciated, certain other modifications may need to be made to cartridge  112 , actuation sled  115 , slide deflector  130  and/or working end  101  such that the locking mechanism functions in a manner in accordance herewith. 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.