SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS
A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.
1 . A method, comprising:
obtaining a first staple cartridge having a first row of staples;
obtaining a second staple cartridge having a second row of staples, wherein the first row of staples and the second row of staples comprise the same length;
inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by an interference between the keyed profile and the channel;
inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel further comprises aligning key features on the second staple cartridge with the keyed profile on the channel.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a bottom surface of the first staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising a bottom surface of the second staple cartridge being positioned against the channel when the second staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a proximal portion of the first staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against a distal portion of the first staple cartridge when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a firing lockout of the first staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
7 . A method, comprising:
obtaining a first staple cartridge comprising a first quantity of staples;
obtaining a second staple cartridge comprising the first quantity of staples;
inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein the complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile; and
inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein the complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel further comprises aligning key features on the second staple cartridge with the keyed profile on the channel.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising a bottom surface of the first staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising a bottom surface of the second staple cartridge being positioned against the channel when the second staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising the first staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against the first staple cartridge when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising a firing lockout of the first staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
13 . A method, comprising:
obtaining a channel;
obtaining a compatible staple cartridge comprising a proximal alignment protrusion and a distal alignment protrusion;
aligning the proximal alignment protrusion with a corresponding proximal alignment feature in a channel;
aligning the distal alignment protrusion with a corresponding distal alignment feature in the channel;
inserting the compatible staple cartridge into the channel such that the proximal alignment protrusion interlocks with the corresponding proximal alignment feature and the distal alignment protrusion interlocks with the corresponding distal alignment feature.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising a bottom surface of the compatible staple cartridge being positioned against the channel when the compatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising a firing lockout of the compatible staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke until the compatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising attempting to insert an incompatible staple cartridge into the channel, wherein the incompatible staple cartridge further comprises an interference feature relative to the corresponding proximal alignment feature on the channel.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising a bottom surface of the incompatible staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the incompatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising a proximal portion of the incompatible staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against a distal portion of the incompatible staple cartridge when the incompatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising a lockout preventing at least one surgical function when the incompatible staple cartridge is positioned in the channel.
20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the channel comprises a jaw of an end effector, and further comprising matching a classifying indication on the end effector with a classifying indication on the compatible staple cartridge.