Surgical stapling apparatus

• US 20050067460A1
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frank J. Viola, Joseph Orban, III, Keith L. Milliman, Randolph F. Lehn
• Original Assignee: Frank J. Viola, Joseph Orban, III, Keith L. Milliman, Randolph F. Lehn
• Inventors: Milliman, Keith L., Viola, Frank J., Lehn, Randolph F., Orban, Joseph III
• Granted Patent: US 6,953,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0806 Instrument detectors with a removable part, e.g. working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus

Abstract

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis, the tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and being movable between a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;

a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the drive member having a distal end which is movable in relation to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly; and

at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate having a planar surface substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.

2. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blow out plate includes first and second blow-out plates, the first and second blow-out plates being positioned on opposite sides of the flexible drive member and the pivot axis.

3. A surgical apparatus according the claim 1, wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a distal end having a first bend positioned within a respective first groove operatively associated with the tool assembly.

4. A surgical apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a proximal end having a second bend positioned within a respective second groove formed in the elongated body portion.

5. A surgical apparatus according to claim 3, further including a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly having a distal end fixedly secured to the tool assembly and a proximal end pivotally secured to the elongated body portion.

6. A surgical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first grooves are formed in the mounting assembly.

7. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tool assembly forms part of a disposable loading unit, the disposable loading unit including the tool assembly, a proximal housing portion and a mounting assembly, the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit forming a distal extension of the elongated body portion.

8. A surgical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second grooves are formed in the distal end of the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit.

9. A surgical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tool assembly is fixedly secured to the mounting assembly and the mounting assembly is pivotally secured to the proximal housing portion.

10. A surgical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit is releasably coupled to the elongated body portion.

11. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible drive member includes at least one flat sheet of material.

12. A surgical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flexible drive member includes a plurality of stacked flat sheets of material.

13. A surgical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flexible drive member includes a distal working head for actuating the tool assembly.

14. A surgical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the distal working head includes vertical strut having a knife blade supported thereon.

15. A surgical apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and clamped positions.

16. A surgical apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distal working head of the flexible drive member includes a cam member positioned to engage the anvil assembly to move the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly from the open position to the closed position.

17. A surgical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the distal working head of the flexible drive member supports an engagement member positioned for slidable movement along an exterior surface of the cartridge assembly.

18. In a surgical apparatus including an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly pivotally supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis and a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, wherein the tool assembly is pivotal from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a position disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising

at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate being substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out plate is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.

19. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one planar bow out plate includes first and second blow-out plates, the first and second blow-out plates being positioned on opposite sides of the flexible drive member and the pivot axis.

20. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of the first and second planar blow-out plates includes a distal end having a first bend positioned within a respective first groove operatively associated with the tool assembly.

21. A surgical apparatus according to claim 20, wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a proximal end having a second bend positioned within a respective second groove formed in the elongated body portion.