Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display

Abstract

A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A surgical stapler comprising:
 a handle assembly including a trigger;   a clamping device having a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon; and   a controller configured to determine an occurrence of clamping by the anvil and the staple cartridge, the controller controlling firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge;
 wherein when the trigger is actuated the controller delays firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge to provide for a predetermined time period of tissue compression of the tissue between the anvil and staple cartridge and wherein the controller outputs a control signal to allow firing once the predetermined time period is reached. 
   
     
     
         37 . The surgical stapler of  claim 36 , wherein the controller is operatively connected to a drive member to urge the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical stapler of  claim 36 , wherein the controller is operatively connected to a motor to urge the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical stapler of  claim 36 , wherein the staples are fired automatically after the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         40 . The surgical stapler of  claim 36 , wherein the staples are fired manually after the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         41 . The surgical stapler of  claim 36 , further comprising an indicator connected to the controller, the indicator indicating a signal to the surgeon after the predetermined time period.