Surgical stapler having a plastic closure plate

• US 20050247753A1
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schwemberger, Richard F., Kelly, William D., Nguyen, Anthony T., Kruszynski, Michael L., Kohn, David L., Wukusick, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/130,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20050247753A1
• 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 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating

Abstract

A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle at the proximal end and a support structure at the distal end. The support structure is adapted to support cartridge containing the plurality of surgical fasteners. The instrument further includes a closure member for supporting at least a portion of the cartridge for movement from a proximal end of the support structure to a distal end of the support structure, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is made from plastic.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue said instrument having an open position, and a closed position for applying said fasteners, the surgical instrument comprising:

a. a frame having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a support structure at a distal end thereof, said support structure adapted to support said plurality of surgical fasteners;

b. a closure member for supporting at least a portion of said plurality of surgical fasteners for movement from said open position to said closed position, wherein at least a portion of said closure member comprises plastic.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further including a firing mechanism for deployment of said surgical fasteners.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said support structure is substantially C-shaped.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said support structure has a radius of curvature of at most about 7.8 inch diameter.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said support structure has a curvature of between approximately a 1 inch diameter and approximately a 4 inch diameter.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said support structure has curvature adapted to fit within an oval envelope of 3.62 inches by 3.00 inches.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to deploy at least one row of surgical fasteners.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further including a knife for cutting tissue.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said closure member is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group comprising:

polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyester, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonates, nylon, polyurethane, polyphthalamide, polyether ketone.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said surgical fasteners comprise staples.

11. A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

a. a frame having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a support structure at a distal end thereof, said support structure adapted to support said plurality of surgical fasteners;

b. a closure member for supporting at least a portion of said plurality of surgical fasteners for movement from said open position to said closed position, wherein said closure is substantially entirely made from plastic.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further including a firing mechanism for deployment of said surgical fasteners.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said support structure is substantially C-shaped.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said closure member is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group comprising:

polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyester, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonates, nylon, polyurethane, polyphthalamide, polyether ketone.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said surgical fasteners comprise staples.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further including a firing mechanism for deployment of said surgical fasteners.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said closure member is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group comprising:

polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyester, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonates, nylon, polyurethane, polyphthalamide, polyether ketone.

16. A surgical instrument for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

a. a frame having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a support structure at a distal end thereof, said support structure adapted to support said plurality of surgical fasteners;

b. a closure member for supporting at least a portion of said plurality of surgical fasteners for movement from said open position to said closed position, wherein said closure member is formed entirely from a single piece of molded plastic.