Surgical fastener applying apparatus

• US 20060081678A1
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J., Rethy, Csaba L., Ehrenfels, Karl H., Pedros, Roberto, Ivanko, David, Lehn, Randolph F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 during shipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

An improved surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section with the cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position. The apparatus includes a replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out. The safety lock-out is pivotable between an initial position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position is permitted and a blocking position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to return them to their fully clamped position after the plurality of staples have been at least partially fired is prevented. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted firing lever for moving a pair of camming surfaces longitudinally. In addition, each of the presently disclosed cartridge and anvil half-sections of the fastener applying apparatus includes a clamping lever, which clamping levers are configured and adapted to enable the applying apparatus to be opened by either one of the cartridge half-section and the anvil half-section.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section of a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a safety lockout pivotably disposed along an upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unblocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section with the cartridge receiving half section; and

a loading and lockout mechanism configured and adapted to facilitate loading of the cartridge assembly to the cartridge receiving half-section and to prevent firing of the surgical fastener applying apparatus until the cartridge assembly is properly assembled with cartridge receiving half-section, the loading and lockout mechanism including;

a rocker pivotably mounted to the cartridge receiving half-section, the rocker having a locked-out position which prevents firing of the surgical fastener applying apparatus and a firing position which permits firing of the surgical fastener applying apparatus, defining a downwardly extending blocking surface, the rocker, when in the locked-out position, engages a cam bar and prevents displacement of the cam bar in a distal direction and, when in the firing position, disengages the cam bar and allows the cam bar to be displaced distally.

2. The stapler cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the safety lockout is biased from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation.

3. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the safety lockout is biased by a spring.

4. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the safety lockout includes a transverse horizontal surface formed on the underside thereof and which is configured and adapted to engage a member formed on a surface of a knife.

5. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 4, wherein the transverse horizontal surface and the member of the knife are configured and dimensioned such that when the knife is displaced in a distal direction, the member of the knife disengages from the transverse horizontal surface.

6. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 4, wherein the member of the knife is a hook.

7. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the rocker defines an upper edge blocking surface; and

b) when the rocker is in the locked-out position, the upper edge blocking surface engages a knife actuating bar and prevents displacement of the knife actuating bar in a distal direction, and, when the rocker is in the firing position, the upper edge blocking surface disengages the knife actuating bar and allows the knife actuating bar to be displaced distally.

8. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 7, wherein the rocker is biased to the locked-out position.

9. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the rocker is adapted to be pivoted to the firing position when the anvil half-section is coupled to the cartridge receiving half-section.

10. The staple cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a series of finger grips formed along an upper side surface near a proximal end thereof.