Surgical fastener applying apparatus

• US 20060151569A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• 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 7,293,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.100
• 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 surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising:

a cartridge half-section;

an anvil half-section, said cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position;

a replaceable staple cartridge assembly receivable in said cartridge half-section, said cartridge assembly including a plurality of surgical staples abutting a plurality of staple pusher members;

a shipping wedge removably coupled to said cartridge assembly, said shipping wedge being configured and adapted to cover staple rows formed in said cartridge assembly and to cover a slotted track formed between said staple rows.

2. The surgical fastener applying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shipping wedge extends into the slotted track formed between said staple rows to thereby prevent advancement of a knife through the slot when the shipping wedge is properly coupled to the staple cartridge assembly.

3. The surgical fastener applying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shipping wedge includes a post extending downwardly from an underside of a proximal end, which post is configured and adapted to be received in a complementary shaped opening formed in said cartridge assembly thereby blocking a distal movement of a knife retained within said cartridge assembly.

4. The surgical fastener applying apparatus of claim 2, wherein said shipping wedge further includes an abutment extending upwardly and proximally from an upper surface of said shipping wedge to thereby cover a distal edge of said knife.

5. A replaceable staple cartridge assembly for use in a surgical fastener applying apparatus, wherein the staple cartridge assembly comprises:

a shipping wedge removably coupled to said cartridge assembly, said shipping wedge being configured and adapted to cover staple rows formed in said cartridge assembly and to cover a slotted track formed between said staple rows.

6. The replaceable staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein the shipping wedge extends into the slotted track formed between said staple rows to thereby prevent advancement of a knife through the slot when the shipping wedge is properly coupled to the staple cartridge assembly.

7. The replaceable staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein said shipping wedge includes a post extending downwardly from an underside of a proximal end, which post is configured and adapted to be received in a complementary shaped opening formed in said cartridge assembly thereby blocking a distal movement of a knife retained within said cartridge assembly.

8. The replaceable staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein said shipping wedge further includes an abutment extending upwardly and proximally from an upper surface of said shipping wedge to thereby cover a distal edge of said knife.