Surgical stapler

• US 20070045380A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wilson, Jon, Viola, Frank, Mastri, Dominick, Alesi, Thomas, Geiste, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a) a handle assembly including a movable handle mounted for manipulation through an actuating stroke;

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

c) an actuation assembly supported at least partially within the handle assembly and mounted for linear movement in response to movement of the movable handle through the actuating stroke, the actuation assembly including a rack and the movable handle is operatively connected to a pawl configured to engage the rack to advance the rack in a distal direction in response to manipulation of the movable handle, the rack being biased in a proximal direction;

d) a staple cartridge supported in a channel adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples defining at least one staple line having a first linear dimension;

e) an anvil mounted adjacent the cartridge, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon, the anvil being movable in relation to the staple cartridge between an open position and a closed position; and

f) an actuator operatively connected to the actuation assembly, the actuator being configured to move relative to the staple cartridge and anvil to sequentially eject the staples from the cartridge in response to movement of the movable handle through the actuation stroke, more than one actuating stroke being required to eject all of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge.

2. A surgical stapler according to claim 1, further comprising a rack lock for maintaining the longitudinal position of the rack.

3. A surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly includes a control rod.

4. A surgical stapler according to claim 3, wherein the actuator includes a drive beam having a coupling at a proximal end thereof for receiving the distal end portion of the control rod, and a support strut at a distal end portion thereof, the support strut supporting a knife blade configured to form an incision in staple body tissue.

5. A surgical stapler according to claim 4, wherein the staple cartridge houses a plurality of staple pushers for sequentially ejecting the staples.

6. A surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein an actuation sled is supported in the staple cartridge at a location distal of the support strut to interact with the plurality of staple pushers.

7. A surgical stapler according to claim 6, wherein the actuation sled is mounted for translation in a distal direction in response to movement of the beam.

8. A surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a strut having an anvil engaging member and a balancing flange.

9. A surgical stapler according to claim 8, wherein the anvil engaging member and balancing flange engage the anvil and the channel to progressively clamp the anvil during the actuation stroke.

10. A surgical stapler according to claim 8, further comprising a knife blade supported by the strut.

11. A surgical stapler according to claim 8, wherein the anvil engaging member supports a cam, the cam engaging a camming surface on the anvil.

12. A surgical stapler according to claim 11, wherein the anvil includes an anvil cover that defines a channel, the cam traveling in the channel.

13. A surgical stapler according to claim 11, wherein the balancing flange engages the channel to balance clamping forces generated by the cam as the anvil is progressively clamped.

14. A surgical stapler according to claim 7, wherein the beam includes an abutment surface for engaging the actuation sled.

15. A surgical stapler according to claim 6, wherein the strut has a surface for abutting the actuation sled to translate the actuation sled through the staple cartridge during the actuation stroke.