Surgical stapling device with independent tip rotation

• US 20050103819A1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Lee Ann, Beardsley, John W., Racenet, David C., Roy, Philip, Stearns, Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 8,770,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.100
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A surgical stapling device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic body portion and a tool assembly. The tool assembly is rotatably and pivotally supported on a distal end of the endoscopic body portion. A tool assembly rotation mechanism is provided which includes a rotation knob, a substantially rigid tube and a flexible member interconnecting the rigid tube to the tool assembly. The substantially rigid tube translates rotation of the rotation knob to rotation of the flexible member and provides a channel for passage of other components of the surgical stapling device.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a handle assembly including a stationary handle portion and an operating trigger;

an endoscopic body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis, the endoscopic body portion being rotatable in relation to the handle assembly about the first longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and being rotatably and pivotally supported on a distal end of the endoscopic body portion, the tool assembly being pivotal about an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic body portion and rotatable about the second longitudinal axis;

an actuation member associated with the tool assembly, the actuation member being operatively connected to the handle assembly and movable in response to movement of the operating trigger to actuate the tool assembly; and

a tool assembly rotation mechanism including a substantially rigid tube positioned within the endoscopic body portion and having a proximal end operably connected to a rotation knob and a distal end operably connected to the tool assembly via a flexible member, wherein the rotation knob is movable to effect rotation of the substantially rigid tube about the first longitudinal axis to thereby effect rotation of the tool assembly about the second longitudinal axis.

2. A surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member includes a hollow bellows.

3. A surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member includes a coil spring.

4. A surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions.

5. A surgical device according to claim 4, wherein the staples of the cartridge assembly are aligned in a plurality of linear rows.

6. A surgical device according to claim 5, further including a drive sled positioned adjacent to the actuation member, and a knife blade supported by the actuation member.

7. A surgical device according to claim 6, wherein the operating trigger is operably connected to the actuation member by a flexible firing cable.

8. A surgical device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible firing cable extends through the substantially rigid tube of the tool assembly rotation mechanism.

9. A surgical device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible member is hollow and the flexible firing cable extends through the hollow flexible member.

10. A surgical device according to claim 9, wherein the operating trigger is operably connected to the actuation member by a flexible retraction cable, the flexible firing cable being operable in tension to move the actuation member in one direction along the second longitudinal axis of the tool assembly and the flexible retraction cable being operable in tension to move the actuation member in an opposite direction along the second longitudinal axis.

11. A surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid tube of the tool assembly rotation mechanism includes a first gear fixedly secured thereto, a spacer tube positioned about the substantially rigid tube, a second gear rotatably supported on the spacer tube in engagement with the first gear, and rotation knob gear teeth positioned on an inner surface of the rotation knob in engagement with the second gear, wherein rotation of the rotation knob effects rotation of the second gear which in turn effects rotation of the substantially rigid tube.

12. A surgical device according to claim 11, wherein the endoscopic body portion includes an outer tube, the rotation knob being rotatably mounted about the outer tube.