Surgical stapler with articulation locking mechanism

• US 10,349,937 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Williams, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert F
• Application Number:
  US15/040,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20170224337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606253, 606 25
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical stapler having an articulation locking mechanism that functions to prevent straightening of a tool assembly of the surgical stapler when the surgical stapler is fired with the tool assembly in an articulated position. In embodiments, a mounting assembly supports a notched member on a proximal end of the tool assembly and the notched member defines a series of notches. An articulation member supported adjacent to the mounting assembly includes a locking member defining protrusions or teeth that are movable from a first unlocked position spaced from the notches of the mounting assembly to a second locked position received within the notches to lock the tool assembly in one of a plurality of articulated positions. In embodiments, the locking member is biased towards the unlocked position by a biasing member and is urged toward and retained in the locked position via engagement with a drive assembly of the surgical stapler.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

an actuating device including a firing trigger and an articulation lever;

an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and extending distally from the actuating device;

a tool assembly supported on the elongated body for articulation about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the articulation lever;

a drive assembly supported within the elongated body, the drive assembly being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; and

an articulation locking mechanism supported on the distal end of the elongated body, the articulation locking mechanism including a locking member that is movable in response to movement of the drive assembly from the retracted position towards the advanced position from an unlocked position disengaged from the tool assembly to a locked position engaged with the tool assembly to prevent further articulation of the tool assembly, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive bar having an upper surface defining a recess, the locking member being positioned within the recess when the drive assembly is in the retracted position.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the locking member to the unlocked position.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the locking member includes an abutment and the drive bar defines a cam surface, the cam surface being positioned to engage the abutment when the drive assembly is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position.

4. A surgical stapler comprising:

an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly supported on the elongated body, the tool assembly being articulable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis;

a drive assembly movable from a retracted position towards an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; and

an articulation locking mechanism supported on the distal end of the elongated body, the articulation locking mechanism including a locking member that is movable from an unlocked position disengaged from the tool assembly to a locked position engaged with the tool assembly to prevent further articulation of the tool assembly in response to movement of the drive assembly from the retracted position towards the advanced position, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive bar having an upper surface defining a recess, the locking member being positioned within the recess when the drive assembly is in the retracted position.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the locking member to the unlocked position.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein the locking member includes an abutment and the drive bar defines a cam surface, the cam surface being positioned to engage the abutment when the drive assembly is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position.