Surgical stapling loading unit with stroke counter and lockout

• US 10,064,622 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2015
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Murthy Aravalli, AVVLN Srinivasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US14/812,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20170027570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271771
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/035 preventing further rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

A surgical loading unit for use with a handle assembly includes an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, an end effector mounted to the distal end of the outer frame, a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively coupled to the end effector, and being adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential firing strokes to operate the end effector and a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame. The rotatable counter is adapted for rotational movement through an arc segment of rotation upon movement of the drive through each firing stroke, and has visual indicators for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive.

Claims

1. A surgical loading unit for use with a handle assembly, which comprises:

an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;

an end effector mounted to the distal end of the outer frame;

a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively coupled to the end effector, the drive adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential firing strokes to operate the end effector; and

a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement through an arc segment of rotation upon movement of the drive through each firing stroke, and having visual indicators for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive.

2. The surgical loading unit according to claim 1 wherein the outer frame defines a window through which a visual indicator of the rotatable counter is visible.

3. The surgical loading unit according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable counter includes a stop, the stop positionable to engage the drive upon rotatable movement of the rotatable counter through a predetermined number of arc segments corresponding to a predetermined number of firing strokes completed by the drive.

4. The surgical loading unit according to claim 1 including a counter actuator mounted to the drive, the counter actuator adapted to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter through each arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive.

5. The surgical loading unit according to claim 4 wherein the rotatable counter includes a helical gear having internal helical grooves, the counter actuator engageable with the helical grooves to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter.

6. The surgical loading unit according to claim 5 wherein the counter actuator is adapted for pivotal movement relative to the drive, the counter actuator dimensioned to pivot out of engagement with the helical grooves of the rotatable counter during a return stroke of the driver subsequent to each firing stroke.

7. The surgical loading unit according to claim 6 wherein the counter actuator is adapted to pivot between an initial position and first and second pivoted positions, the counter actuator engageable with one helical groove when in the first pivoted position during movement of the drive through each drive stroke, and disengaged from the one helical groove when in the second pivoted position during movement of the drive through each return stroke.

8. The surgical loading unit according to claim 7 wherein the counter actuator is normally biased toward the initial position, and pivots in a first direction to assume the first pivoted position and pivots in a second direction to assume the second pivoted position.

9. The surgical loading unit according to claim 8 wherein the outer frame includes a cam having rear and forward cam surfaces, the rear cam surface being engaged by the counter actuator during movement of the drive through each firing stroke to orient the counter actuator in the first pivoted position, the second surface being engaged by the counter actuator during movement of the drive through each return stroke to orient the counter actuator in the second pivoted position.

10. The surgical loading unit according to claim 4 including a detent mechanism having a detent member mounted relative to the outer frame and locking recesses associated with the rotatable counter, the detent member engagable with a respective locking recess subsequent to each firing stroke of the drive to maintain the rotatable counter at a desired rotational position, and adapted to release the respective locking recess upon movement of the drive through a successive firing stroke.

11. The surgical loading unit according to claim 1 wherein the end effector includes a fastener assembly having a plurality of fasteners, at least one fastener being ejected upon movement of the drive through a firing stroke.

12. A surgical loading unit for use with a handle assembly, which comprises:

an elongate outer frame defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted for coupling with the handle assembly;

a staple assembly mounted to the distal end of the outer frame, the staple assembly including a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil, the anvil adapted for movement relative to the staple cartridge between an open position to receive tissue and an approximated position to clamp tissue;

a drive at least partially disposed within the outer frame and operatively couplable to the staple assembly, the drive adapted for longitudinal movement through a plurality of sequential strokes to eject at least one staple from the staple cartridge for crimping by the anvil when in the approximated position thereof; and

a rotatable counter and lockout mechanism including;

a rotatable counter mounted to the outer frame and adapted for rotational movement through an arc segment of rotation upon movement of the drive through each firing stroke;

at least one visual indicator associated with the rotatable counter for providing visual indicia corresponding to a number of firing strokes completed by the drive; and

a lock member positionable to engage the drive upon rotatable movement of the rotatable counter through a predetermined number of arc segments corresponding to a predetermined number of firing strokes completed by the drive.

13. The surgical loading unit according to claim 12 including a counter actuator mounted to the drive, the counter actuator adapted to engage the rotatable counter to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter through each arc segment of rotation during each firing stroke of the drive.

14. The surgical loading unit according to claim 13 wherein the counter actuator is adapted to pivot between an initial position and first and second pivoted positions, the counter actuator engageable with the rotatable counter when in the first pivoted position during movement of the drive through each drive stroke, and disengaged from the rotatable counter when in the second pivoted position during movement of the drive through each return stroke.

15. The surgical loading unit according to claim 14 wherein the rotatable counter includes a helical gear having internal helical grooves, the counter actuator engageable with one helical groove when in the first pivoted position to cause rotational movement of the rotatable counter during each drive stroke, and disengaged from the one helical groove when in the second pivoted position during each return stroke.

16. The surgical loading unit according to claim 14 including a detent mechanism having a detent member mounted relative to the outer frame and locking recesses associated with the rotatable counter, the detent member engagable with a respective locking recess subsequent to each firing stroke of the drive to maintain the rotatable counter at a desired rotational position, and adapted to release the respective locking recess upon movement of the drive through a successive firing stroke.