A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first firing member lockout provided the stapling device. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent the firing member of the device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said stapling device.

A surgical stapling assembly that comprises a stapling device is disclosed. The stapling device includes an authentication lockout that is movable between a locked position wherein the stapling device is inoperable and an unlocked position wherein the stapling device is operable. The assembly further includes a deactivator tool that includes a deactivation key that is configured to move the authentication lockout into the unlocked position prior to seating a staple cartridge into the device.

A staple cartridge comprising a deformable authentication key that is movable between a first state and a second state is disclosed. The authentication key is configured to operably engage a lockout of a surgical stapling device when the staple cartridge is inserted into the surgical stapling device in an initial insertion position. When the cartridge is seated in a final position within the device, the authentication key is deformed from the first state to the second state and moves the lockout from a locked position to an unlocked position.

A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The stapling device includes a lockout for prevent operation of the device. The staple cartridge includes a first cam surface configured to move the lockout from a locked position to an intermediate position when the staple cartridge is initially inserted into the device. The staple cartridge further includes a second cam surface configured to move the lockout from the intermediate position to an unlocked position when the staple cartridge is operably seated in the device. The first cam surface is proximal to the second cam surface and may be vertically displaced therefrom.

A surgical stapling assembly that includes a surgical stapling device that has a lockout that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The assembly further includes a staple cartridge with a first cam surface configured to cammingly engage a primary portion of the lockout to move the lockout laterally from the locked position and a second cam surface configured cammingly engage a secondary portion of the lockout to further move the lockout laterally into the locked position when the cartridge is operably seated in the device.

A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be attached to the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. An authentication key is movably supported on the retainer between an actuation position wherein the actuation key can defeat a lockout of the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device and a retracted position when the retainer is detached from the staple cartridge.

A method for operating a surgical stapling device that includes a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating is disclosed. The method includes installing a retainer on a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The method includes seating the cartridge assembly in the surgical stapling device to bring an authentication key on the retainer into actuation contact with the lockout to move the lockout out of a locked position to an unlocked position. The method further includes removing the retainer from the staple cartridge while retaining the lockout in the unlocked position.

A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first jaw lockout of the stapling device that is configured to prevent the jaws of the stapling device from closing. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent a firing member of the stapling device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in one of the jaws.

A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be removably coupled to the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer further comprises an authentication key that is oriented in a first configuration to defeat a lockout in the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device. The authentication key is movable to a second configuration after the cartridge assembly is removed from the stapling device such that the authentication key is unable to return to the first configuration.

A retainer system for use with staple cartridges configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be attached to the staple cartridge by retention features. The system includes a tool that moves the retention features between a first state wherein the retention features prevent the retainer from being attached to the staple cartridge to a second state where the retainer may be coupled to the staple cartridge by the retention features.