Circular stapling instrument
A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher.
1. A method of stapling tissue comprising:
providing a surgical stapling instrument having a pusher and a knife assembly, wherein the knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher for independent movement relative to the pusher;
advancing the pusher a first distance to cause the ejection and forming of staples;
retracting the pusher a second distance greater than the first distance; and
re-advancing the pusher the second distance to cause the advancement of the knife assembly and the cutting of tissue.
2. The method of claim 1 , further including providing a lapse of time between the ejection and forming of the staples and the cutting of tissue to allow for tissue benefit or normalization.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein retracting the pusher includes retracting the pusher to a location proximal of the initial location.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the knife assembly includes an actuator clip for selectively engaging the pusher.
5. A method of stapling tissue comprising:
advancing a pusher relative to a knife assembly a first distance;
retracting the pusher relative to the knife assembly a second distance greater than the first distance; and
advancing the pusher and the knife assembly the second distance.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein advancing the pusher relative to the knife assembly a first distance effects stapling of tissue.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein retracting the pusher relative to the knife assembly the second distance effects locking of the knife assembly with the pusher.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein advancing the pusher and the knife assembly the second distance effects cutting of tissue.
9. A method of stapling tissue comprising:
advancing a pusher relative to a knife assembly a first distance, wherein advancing the pusher includes squeezing a trigger a first time;
retracting the pusher relative to the knife assembly a second distance greater than the first distance, wherein retracting the pusher includes releasing the trigger following the squeezing of the trigger the first time; and
advancing the pusher and the knife assembly the second distance, wherein advancing the pusher and the knife assembly includes squeezing the trigger a second time following the releasing of the trigger.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein advancing the pusher includes squeezing the trigger the first time at a first rate of speed, and advancing the pusher and the knife assembly includes squeezing the trigger the second time at a second rate of speed.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein squeezing the trigger the first time at the first rate of speed and squeezing the trigger the second time at the second rate of speed varies a staple travel speed relative to a knife travel speed.
12. A method of stapling tissue comprising:
advancing a pusher relative to a knife assembly a first distance;
retracting the pusher relative to the knife assembly a second distance greater than the first distance:
advancing the pusher and the knife assembly the second distance; and
waiting a preselected time between advancing the pusher and advancing the pusher and the knife assembly.
13. A method of stapling tissue comprising:
advancing a pusher relative to a knife assembly a first distance;
retracting the pusher relative to the knife assembly a second distance greater than the first distance;
advancing the pusher and the knife assembly the second distance; and
varying a staple crimp height relative to a knife travel distance by adjusting a distance between a staple cartridge and anvil.