Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display

• US 20060278680A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Heinrich, Russell, Soltz, Michael A., Krehel, Gregg, Viola, Frank J., DeSantis, Robert J., Holsten, Henry P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,464,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.100
• 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 17/072 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 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument

Abstract

A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.

Claims

11. :

A surgical stapler comprising;

a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member;

b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples;

d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge;

e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge;

f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and the cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler, the trigger being operably connected to the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger effects translation of the cam member relative to the anvil;

g) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge;

h) a controller configured to control the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the controller delaying the actuation sled movement to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge for a predetermined time period when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge; and

i) an indicator connected to the controller, the controller controlling the indicator to provide an indication when the predetermined time period is reached.

1. :

A surgical stapler comprising;

a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member through an actuating stroke;

b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples;

d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge;

e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge;

f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler, the pivotable handle being operably connected to the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger effects translation of the cam member relative to the anvil;

g) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge; and

h) a controller configured to control the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the controller delaying movement of the actuation sled to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge for a predetermined time period when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

2. :

The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is suitable in length to allow compression of the tissue for the predetermined time period and to allow tissue to settle from a first initial state into a second compressed state when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

3. :

The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a dampening device, the controller configured to control the dampening device, the dampening device modulating the actuation sled movement for the predetermined time period to compress the tissue when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

4. :

The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the dampening device slows the actuation sled movement to compress the tissue when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

5. :

The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the dampening device is a hydraulic device.

6. :

The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the dampening device is a pneumatic device.

7. :

The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to control the actuation sled movement, wherein the controller controls the motor and delays the actuation sled from urging the plurality of staples from the cartridge into tissue, the delay permitting a predetermined compression time period when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

8. :

The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the controller slows an operation of the motor to provide for the delay to compress the tissue.

9. :

The surgical stapler of claim 8, further comprising a geared assembly, the controller configured to actuate, the geared assembly to slow the operation of the motor to provide for the delay to compress the tissue.

10. :

The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising an override switch, the override switch being on the body and configured to disengage operation of the controller.

12. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator.

13. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is an audible indicator.

14. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is a tactile indicator.

15. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the predetermined time period is an optimal compression time of the tissue being compressed between the anvil in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge before firing of the plurality of staples.

16. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the predetermined time period is a preset compression time of the tissue being between the anvil in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

17. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is a linear display having a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments illuminating in a sequential manner, wherein substantially at least two of the segments illuminate to provide the indication that the predetermined time period is reached.

18. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is a linear display having a graphical representation, the graphical representation being arranged to provide an indication that the predetermined time period has been reached.

19. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator is a linear display having a graphical representation, the graphical representation being arranged to provide an indication of a parameter related to the stapler.

20. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the indicator comprises a timer configured to count from a first interval to the predetermined time period.

21. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to move the actuation sled supported within the cartridge automatically once the predetermined time period is reached, the actuator sled movement urging the plurality of staples from the cartridge.

22. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the controller comprises a resistor strip, the controller being connected to the indicator, wherein the drive assembly contacts the resistor strip during a firing stroke, the contact between the resistor strip and the drive assembly modulating a resistance of the resistor strip during the stroke, the resistor strip being connected to the controller and configured to output the resistance to the controller, the controller modulating one or more parameters of the stapler based on the output.

23. :

The surgical stapler of claim 22, wherein the controller modulates the indicator based on the output.

24. :

The surgical stapler of claim 22, wherein the controller modulates the drive assembly based on the output.

25. :

The surgical stapler of claim 22, wherein the controller slows the drive assembly based on the output.

26. :

The surgical stapler of claim 22, further comprising a dampening device connected to the drive assembly, wherein the controller actuates the dampening device based on the output.

27. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, further comprising a sensor, wherein the drive assembly comprises a magnetic member, and wherein the sensor detects at least one property of the magnetic member and outputs the detected property to the controller, wherein the controller modulates one or more parameters of the stapler based on the output.

28. :

The surgical stapler of claim 27, wherein the sensor is a Hall sensor.

29. :

The surgical stapler of claim 27, wherein the sensor is a non-contact sensor.

30. :

The surgical stapler of claim 27, wherein the controller modulates a gap measured between the anvil and the staple cartridge based on the output.

31. :

The surgical stapler of claim 27, wherein the controller slows the drive assembly in response to the output.

32. :

The surgical stapler of claim 31, wherein the controller provides an indication in response to the output.

33. :

The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein the drive assembly includes the pivotable handle being in contact with a switch, the switch being operably connected to a timer, wherein when pivotable handle is manipulated through the actuating stroke to effect manual translation of the cam member relative to the anvil, the pivotable handle contacts the switch to actuate the timer, wherein the timer counts to the predetermined time interval, wherein when the timer reaches the predetermined time interval, the timer outputs a signal to the controller, the controller upon receiving the signal outputs a control signal to the indicator to provide the indication that the predetermined time interval has been reached.

30-1. :

The surgical stapler of claim 27, wherein the controller modulates an actuation sled movement based on the output.

34. :

A method for stapling tissue comprising;

locating tissue between a staple cartridge and an anvil;

compressing tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil;

manipulating an actuator to fire staples from the staples cartridge;

wherein the actuator is configured to automatically delay firing staples for a predetermined time period;

wherein the predetermined time period is suitable in length to allow compression of the tissue for the predetermined time period and to allow tissue to settle from a first initial state into a second compressed state; and

urging staples from the staple cartridge through the tissue at the elapse of the predetermined time period when the tissue is in the second compressed state.

36. :

The surgical stapler of claim 34, wherein the controller is operatively connected to a drive member to urge the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge.

37. :

The surgical stapler of claim 34, wherein the controller is operatively connected to a motor to urge the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge.

38. :

The surgical stapler of claim 34, wherein the staples are fired automatically after the predetermined time period.

39. :

The surgical stapler of claim 34, wherein the staples are fired manually after the predetermined time period.

40. :

The surgical stapler of claim 34, further comprising an indicator connected to the controller, the indicator indicating a signal to the surgeon after the predetermined time period.

35. :

A surgical stapler comprising;

a handle assembly including a trigger;

a clamping device having a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon; and

a controller configured to determine an occurrence of clamping by the anvil and the staple cartridge, the controller controlling firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge;

wherein when the trigger is actuated the controller delays firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge to provide for a predetermined time period of tissue compression of the tissue between the anvil and staple cartridge and wherein the controller outputs a control signal to allow firing once the predetermined time period is reached.