Surgical stapling apparatus with locking mechanism

• US 20050184123A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.100
• 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 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a housing; and

a loading unit supportable on a distal end of the housing, the loading unit including;

a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end;

a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit; and

a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes:

a lever pivotably connected to the housing portion and defining a pivot point, the lever having a distal end extending distally of the pivot point and a proximal end extending proximally of the pivot point, the distal end of the lever including a hook formed therein for selectively engaging a portion of the drive assembly, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the first position the hook engages the portion of the drive assembly and when the locking mechanism is in the second position the hook is disengaged from the portion of the drive assembly.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, the proximal end of the lever is moved radially inward and the distal end of the lever is moved radially outward.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position upon the coupling of the loading unit to the distal end of the elongate body.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position by a twisting action of the loading unit relative to the elongate body when the proximal end of the housing portion of the loading unit is inserted in to the distal end of the elongate body.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a biasing member operatively associated therewith, wherein the biasing member biases the lever to the first position.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the first position, the proximal end of the lever extends radially beyond an outer surface of the housing portion.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the proximal end of the lever of the locking mechanism defines an angled surface to facilitate connection with the elongate body.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 8, wherein the surgical apparatus is a stapler.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an elongate body extending from the housing, the elongate body including a distal end configured and dimensioned to selectively receive the proximal end of the housing portion of the loading unit.

11. The surgical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the housing portion of the loading unit defines an insertion tip.

12. A loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus, the loading unit comprising:

a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end;

a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit; and

a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.

13. The loading unit of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism includes:

a lever pivotably connected to the housing portion ad defining a pivot point, the lever having a distal end extending distally of the pivot point and a proximal end extending proximally of the pivot point, the distal end of the lever including a hook formed therein for selectively engaging a portion of the drive assembly, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the first position the hook engages the portion of the drive assembly and when the locking mechanism is in the second position the hook is disengaged from the portion of the drive assembly.

14. The loading unit of claim 13, wherein when the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, the proximal end of the lever is moved radially inward and the distal end of the lever is moved radially outward.

15. The loading unit of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position upon the coupling of the loading unit to the distal end of the elongate body.

16. The loading unit of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position by a twisting action of the loading unit relative to the elongate body when the proximal end of the housing portion of the loading unit is inserted in to the distal end of the elongate body.

17. The loading unit of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a biasing member operatively associated therewith, wherein the biasing member biases the lever to the first position.

18. The loading unit of claim 17, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the first position, the proximal end of the lever extends radially beyond an outer surface of the housing portion.

19. The loading unit of claim 18, wherein the proximal end of the lever of the locking mechanism defines an angled surface to facilitate connection with the elongate body.

20. The loading unit of claim 19, wherein the loading unit functions as a stapler.