Surgical instrument with lockout mechanism

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, an elongated portion, a head portion, an approximation mechanism, and a lockout mechanism is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises a movable handle and a stationary handle. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The approximation mechanism comprises a drive member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first jaw member and is configured to longitudinally move the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member. The lockout mechanism is configured to selectively permit actuation of the movable handle to eject fasteners from the second jaw member. The lockout mechanism comprises a pin extending from the movable handle and is slidingly engaged with a slot in the drive member.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of adjusting a minimum gap between a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
 actuating a handle assembly of the surgical instrument such that the cartridge assembly moves along a longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument relative to the handle assembly, wherein a tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly define a tissue gap therebetween that varies in response to actuation of the handle assembly of the surgical instrument;   actuating an approximation member of the surgical instrument to cause longitudinal movement of a drive member of the surgical instrument relative to the cartridge assembly; and   moving a stopper relative to the approximation member until a blocking portion of the stopper contacts a portion of the drive member.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein actuating the handle assembly includes rotating the handle assembly about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein actuating the approximation member includes rotating the approximation member about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein actuating the approximation member includes rotating the approximation member about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein moving the stopper includes rotating the stopper about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein moving the stopper includes rotating the stopper about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly and relative to the approximation member. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein actuating the approximation member causes longitudinal movement of the anvil assembly relative to the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein actuating the handle assembly of the surgical instrument includes moving the handle assembly relative to an elongated portion of the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including affixing the handle assembly to the elongated portion such that the handle assembly is no longer able to be moved relative to the elongated portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , further including affixing the stopper to the approximation member to prevent future movement therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein actuating the handle assembly includes threadedly engaging the handle assembly with an elongated portion of the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein moving the stopper includes moving the stopper relative to the approximation member until the blocking portion of the stopper contacts a proximal face of the drive member. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein moving the stopper includes rotating the stopper about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . A method of selectively permitting actuation of a handle of a surgical instrument to eject fasteners, the method comprising:
 actuating an approximation mechanism of the surgical instrument to move a first jaw member of the surgical instrument relative to a second jaw member of the surgical instrument; and   moving a pin engaged with the handle of the surgical instrument from a blocking portion of a slot of a drive member of the surgical instrument to a firing portion of the slot, the handle is prevented from actuation when the pin is in the blocking portion of the slot and the handle is capable of actuation when the pin is in the firing portion of the slot,   wherein actuation of the approximation mechanism causes movement of the slot relative to the pin.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein actuation of the approximation mechanism causes movement of the drive member relative to at least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further including actuating the handle when the pin is disposed between the blocking portion and the firing portion of the slot, wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in an approximated position when the pin is between the blocking portion and the firing portion of the slot. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further including engaging a stopper with the approximation mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further including rotating the stopper relative to the approximation mechanism until a blocking portion of the stopper contacts a portion of the drive member. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further including affixing the stopper to the approximation mechanism to prevent future movement therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein actuation of the approximation mechanism includes rotating an approximation knob of the approximation mechanism about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive member.