Surgical stapling apparatus including firing force regulation
A surgical stapling system for treating the tissue of a patient is provided. Various embodiments of the surgical stapling system include a handle including a rotary motion generator, a shaft extending from the handle, and a disposable loading unit attachable to the shaft. The disposable loading unit includes a cartridge body including a distal end, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a firing system. The firing system includes a cutting portion configured to cut the tissue. The disposable loading unit includes a lockout configured to block the firing system from moving toward the distal end. The surgical stapling system includes an actuation system configured to regulate a force applied to the firing system.
1. A surgical stapling system for treating the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a handle comprising a rotary motion generator;
a shaft extending from said handle;
a disposable loading unit attachable to said shaft, said disposable loading unit comprising:
a cartridge body including a distal end;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
a firing system movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing system is configured to fire said staples from said cartridge body to staple the tissue, and wherein said firing system comprises a cutting portion configured to cut the tissue; and
a lockout configured to block said firing system from moving toward said distal end; and
an actuation system configured to regulate a force applied to said firing system by said rotary motion generator, wherein said actuation system is configured to modify the application of said force to said firing system when a load transmitted through said firing system exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
2. The surgical stapling system of claim 1 , wherein said rotary motion generator is rendered ineffective when said load exceeds said predetermined magnitude.
3. A surgical stapling system for treating the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a handle;
a shaft extending from said handle;
a disposable loading unit attachable to said shaft, said disposable loading unit comprising:
a cartridge body including a distal end;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
a firing system movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing system is configured to fire said staples from said cartridge body to staple the tissue, and wherein said firing system comprises a cutting portion configured to cut the tissue; and
a lockout configured to block said firing system from moving toward said distal end; and
an actuation system configured to apply a force to said firing system to move said firing system toward said distal end, wherein said actuation system is configured to stop the application of said force to said firing system when a load transmitted through said firing system exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
4. A surgical stapling system for treating the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a handle;
a shaft extending from said handle;
a stapling assembly attachable to said shaft, said stapling assembly comprising:
a cartridge body including a distal end;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
a firing system movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing system is configured to fire said staples from said cartridge body to staple the tissue, and wherein said firing system comprises a cutting portion configured to cut the tissue; and
a lockout configured to block said firing system from moving toward said distal end; and
an actuation system configured to apply a force to said firing system to move said firing system toward said distal end, wherein said actuation system is configured to stop the application of said force to said firing system when a load transmitted through said firing system reaches a predetermined magnitude.