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 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for stapling tissue comprising:
 positioning tissue between first and second jaws of a surgical stapling device, the first jaw including a cartridge containing plurality of staples and an actuation sled for urging the plurality of staples from the first jaw, and the second jaw including an anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon;   clamping the tissue between the first and second jaws to compress the tissue a first amount; and   firing the surgical stapling device,   wherein the surgical stapling device includes a controller configured to reduce a speed of a motor driving the actuation sled forward to delay movement of the actuation sled for a predetermined time period prior to compressing the tissue a second amount beyond the first amount.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising clamping the tissue between the first and second jaws of the surgical stapling device for a predetermined time period prior to firing the surgical stapling device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein firing the surgical stapling device further comprises tightening the first and second jaws about the tissue for the predetermined time period prior to urging staples from the cartridge. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein clamping the tissue between the first and second jaws of the surgical stapling device further comprises waiting for a signal from the controller prior to firing the surgical stapling device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the surgical stapling device includes an indicator, and wherein the method further comprises monitoring the indicator for the elapsed predetermined time period of tissue compression and/or status of the stapling. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising displaying on a display device the elapsed predetermined time period of tissue compression prior to urging staples from the cartridge and/or status of the stapling; and setting the predetermined time period of tissue compression on the display. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the surgical stapling device includes a display for indicating the predetermined time period of tissue compression prior to urging staples from the cartridge, and wherein the method further comprises setting the predetermined time period of tissue compression on the display. 
     
     
         26 . A method for stapling tissue comprising:
 locating tissue between jaws of a surgical stapling device;   compressing tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapling device;   manipulating an actuator to fire staples from a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device;   thereafter, further compressing the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapler, wherein the actuator is configured to automatically delay a firing of staples for a predetermined time period and wherein the predetermined time period is suitable in length to allow the further compression of the tissue for the predetermined time period and to allow tissue to settle from a first compressed state into a second compressed state; and   urging staples from the surgical stapling device into the tissue at the elapse of the predetermined time period when the tissue is in the second compressed state.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising clamping the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapling device for a predetermined time interval prior to firing the surgical stapling device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein firing the surgical stapling device further comprises tightening the jaws about the tissue for the predetermined time period prior to urging staples from the staple cartridge. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein clamping the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapling device further comprises waiting for a signal from a controller prior to firing the surgical stapling device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the surgical stapling device includes an indicator, and wherein the method further comprises monitoring the indicator for the elapsed predetermined time period of tissue compression and/or status of the stapling. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising displaying on a display device the elapsed predetermined time period of tissue compression prior to urging staples from the staple cartridge and/or status of the stapling; and setting the predetermined time period of tissue compression on the display. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the surgical stapling device includes a display for indicating the predetermined time period of tissue compression prior to urging staples from the staple cartridge, and wherein the method further comprises setting the predetermined time period of tissue compression on the display.