Surgical instrument with indicator

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger and a firing indicator. The firing trigger is movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. Engagement structure of the firing trigger moves the firing indicator from a first position to a second position when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position.

1 . A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
 a handle assembly including a firing trigger and a firing indicator, the firing trigger being movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position, the firing trigger including engagement structure;   an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly; and   a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions;   wherein the engagement structure of the firing trigger moves the firing indicator from a first position to a second position when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position   
   
   
       2 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly includes a stationary handle and the firing indicator is rotatable with respect to the stationary handle. 
   
   
       3 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the firing indicator includes a pawl, and the firing trigger is configured to engage the pawl when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position. 
   
   
       4 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 3 , wherein the pawl and the firing indicator are monolithically formed. 
   
   
       5 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 3 , wherein the pawl extends from a surface of the firing indicator towards the firing trigger. 
   
   
       6 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1  wherein the handle assembly includes a stationary handle and the engagement structure includes a tab, the tab extending towards the stationary handle and is configured to make initial contact with the firing indicator when the firing trigger is moved to its second actuated position. 
   
   
       7 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 6 , wherein a surface of the tab is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the firing trigger. 
   
   
       8 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the firing indicator includes firing indicia thereon and wherein the indicia is visible to a user when the firing indicator is in its second position. 
   
   
       9 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly includes a window which enables a user to view a portion of the firing indicator. 
   
   
       10 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the firing indicator is configured to remain in its second position after the firing trigger has been moved to its second actuated position. 
   
   
       11 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the firing indicator includes a detent positionable in a recess in the handle assembly to maintain the firing indicator in the second position. 
   
   
       12 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the firing indicator is configured to move from its first position towards its second position in response to a single actuation stroke of the firing trigger. 
   
   
       13 . A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
 a handle assembly including a firing trigger, the firing trigger being movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position;   an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly;   a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions;   an approximation indicator disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly, the approximation indicator being configured to move from a first position towards a second position in response to the anvil assembly moving in relation to the shell assembly towards its approximated position; and   a firing indicator disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and independent from the approximation indicator, the firing indicator being configured to move from a first position towards a second position in response to the firing trigger moving towards its second actuated position.   
   
   
       14 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the firing indicator is configured to move from its first position towards its second position in response to a single actuation stroke of the firing trigger. 
   
   
       15 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the firing indicator includes a pawl and the firing trigger is configured to engage the pawl of the firing indicator when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position. 
   
   
       16 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the handle assembly includes a stationary handle and the firing indicator is rotatable with respect to the stationary handle. 
   
   
       17 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the firing indicator includes a pawl, and the firing trigger is configured to engage the pawl when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position. 
   
   
       18 . The surgical stapling instrument of  claim 17 , wherein a surface of the tab is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the firing trigger.