Articulating curved cutter stapler

• US 20070039996A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Parker, Michael, Mather, Michael, Schwemberger, Richard, Kruszynski, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,207 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• 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: Y10T 403/32024 Single adjustment for plural axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32032 Plural ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket

Abstract

An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector. An articulation mechanism is positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.

Claims

1. An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:

a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler;

a support shaft connects the handle to the end effector; and

an articulation mechanism positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the articulation mechanism includes a ball joint coupling the end effector to the support shaft.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, further including a locking mechanism associated with the ball joint for permitting selective locking of the end effector in a desired orientation and selective release of the end effector for controlled movement when desired.

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes a ball lock release tube.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, wherein the ball joint includes a ball with a contoured outer surface shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a distal end of the ball lock release tube.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the ball joint includes a ball with a contoured outer surface shaped and dimensioned to lock with the distal end of the ball lock release tube, the contouring of the ball helping to ensure frictional engagement between the ball and the distal end of the ball lock release tube.

7. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the articulation mechanism includes multiple articulation joints.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein the multiple articulation joints are actuated by a gear and strap rotation mechanism.

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 8, wherein the gear and strap rotation mechanism includes an articulation knob linked to a gear, which is in turn linked to first and second control rods, which are linked to a rotation gear that drives a fixed gear secured to the end effector.

10. The surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein the multiple articulartion joints are actuated by a cable linked to a gearing structure attached to the end effector.

11. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the end effector is releasable secured to the support shaft.

12. The surgical stapler according to claim 11, wherein a bayonet type lock between the end effector and the support shaft permits selective release.

13. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the end effector is curved.

14. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the end effector is a surgical fastening assembly that includes a cartridge module and a supporting structure.

15. The surgical stapler according to claim 14, wherein the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing coupled to an anvil.

16. The surgical stapler according to claim 15, further including a drive cable extending from the handle to the end effector for actuation of the cartridge module.

17. The surgical stapler according to claim 16, wherein the cartridge housing includes a recess shaped and dimensioned for slideably receiving a push collar within which a threaded distal end of the drive cable is engaged for movement of the cartridge housing and push collar toward the anvil.

18. The surgical stapler according to claim 17, wherein the push collar is selectively released from engagement with the cartridge housing permitting continued forward movement of the push collar in a manner forcing a knife and staples with the cartridge housing toward the anvil.

19. The surgical stapler according to claim 18, further including an anti-back up mechanism preventing undesired rearward movement of the cartridge housing.

20. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, further including a flexible retaining pin drive cable actuating a retaining pin.