Firing assembly comprising a multiple failed-state fuse
Surgical instruments are disclosed comprising a firing assembly including a fuse having a plurality of operating states.
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector comprising a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and
a sled configured to eject said staples from said cartridge body; and
a firing assembly, comprising:
a first translatable portion;
a second translatable portion, wherein said first translatable portion is configured to slide relative to said second translatable portion; and
a fuse configured to transition between:
an intact state, wherein said firing assembly is configured to transmit a firing load to said sled during a firing stroke when said fuse is in said intact state;
a first failed state, wherein said firing assembly is configured to transmit a load to said sled when said fuse is in said first failed state; and
a second failed state, wherein said firing assembly cannot transmit a load to said sled when said fuse is in said second failed state.
2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is resettable from said first failed state to said intact state.
3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said end effector comprises a distal end, and wherein said firing assembly is retractable away from said distal end to reset said fuse into said intact state.
4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is resettable from said second failed state to said first failed state.
5. The surgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein said end effector comprises a distal end, and wherein said firing assembly is retractable away from said distal end to reset said fuse into said intact state.
6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is not resettable from said first failed state to said intact state.
7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is not resettable from said second failed state to said first failed state.
8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said firing assembly can be used to finish said firing stroke in said first failed state of said fuse.
9. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said firing assembly cannot be used to finish said firing stroke in said first failed state of said fuse.
10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is configured to stop said firing stroke in said second failed state.
11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 , further comprising a frame, wherein said fuse is configured to engage said frame to stop said firing stroke in said second failed state.
12. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse is positioned intermediate said first translatable portion and said second translatable portion.
13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 , wherein said second translatable portion partially collapses relative to said first translatable portion when said fuse is in said first failed state.
14. The surgical instrument of claim 12 , wherein said second translatable portion completely collapses relative to said first translatable portion when said fuse is in said second failed state.
15. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said firing load is greater than said load.
16. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said firing load is equal to said load.
17. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said fuse comprises a biasing portion configured to bias said fuse into said intact state.
18. The surgical instrument of claim 17 , wherein said biasing portion is configured to bias said fuse into said first failed state once said fuse has left said intact state.
19. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an electric motor;
an end effector comprising a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and
a sled configured to eject said staples from said cartridge body; and
a firing assembly, comprising:
a first translatable portion;
a second translatable portion; wherein said first translatable portion is configured to slide relative to said second translatable portion; and
a fuse configured to transition between:
an intact state, wherein said fuse is configured to transmit a firing load from said electric motor to said sled during a firing stroke when said fuse is in said intact state;
a slipped state, wherein said fuse is configured to transmit a load from said electric motor to said sled when said fuse is in said slipped state; and
a failed state, wherein said fuse cannot transmit a load to said sled when said fuse is in said failed state.
20. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector comprising a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body including a distal end;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and
a sled configured to eject said staples from said cartridge body;
a firing assembly configured to apply a firing force to and advance said sled toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and
means for limiting the functionality of said firing assembly in a plurality of operating states if said firing force exceeds a threshold.