Rotating curved cutter stapler

• US 20070039997A1
• 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 7,549,563 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 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• 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 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32672 Swiveled ball parts or seat

Abstract

A rotating 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 rotation 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 includes a longitudinal axis. The end effector is coupled to the support shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the stapler.

Claims

1. A rotating 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 rotation 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, the support shaft including a longitudinal axis; and

wherein the end effector is coupled to the support shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the stapler.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the support shaft is secured to the handle for rotation relative thereto, and the support shaft is selectively rotated relative to the handle to facilitate rotation of the end effector secured at a distal end of the support shaft.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, further including an articulation mechanism positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft, and the articulation mechanism includes a ball joint coupling the end effector to the support shaft.

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, further including an articulation mechanism positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft, and the articulation mechanism includes a ball joint coupling the end effector to the support shaft, wherein a rotation shaft extends through a passageway formed in the ball joint and is fixedly secured to the end effector 416 for controlled rotation of the end effector upon rotation of the rotation shaft.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, 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.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism includes a ball lock release tube.

7. The surgical stapler according to claim 6, 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.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, 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.

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein bearings are between a proximal end shaft of the end effector and a distal end of the support shaft.

10. The surgical stapler according to claim 9, wherein a rotation shaft is fixedly coupled to the end effector for controlled rotation of the end effector upon rotation of the rotation shaft.

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

12. 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.

13. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, wherein the end effector includes a safety lockout mechanism for preventing the firing of a previously fired cartridge module.

14. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing coupled to an anvil.

15. The surgical stapler according to claim 14, further including a drive cable extending from the handle to the end effector for actuation of the cartridge module.

16. The surgical stapler according to claim 15, 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.

17. The surgical stapler according to claim 16, 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.

18. The surgical stapler according to claim 17, further including an anti-back up mechanism preventing undesired rearward movement of the cartridge housing.

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