SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AN END EFFECTOR SUPPORT

• US 20070083233A1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark, Stokes, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,096,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/219
• 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 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2941 Toggle linkages

Abstract

A surgical stapler is provided having a cartridge arm for holding staples, an anvil pivotally connected thereto to deform fired staples from the cartridge arm, and a support for substantially preventing anvil deflection during staple firing to help insure proper staple formation. Some supports allow pivoting between the anvil and cartridge arm when in a first position, but prevent or hinder the pivoting action when in a second position. Supports can also be adapted to contact the anvil at a distal position relative to the pivot point between the anvil and cartridge arm. Exemplary structures of supports embodied as one or more links or as a sleeve are described. Methods of use are also discussed.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

an end effector having a cartridge arm for holding at least one staple, and an anvil pivotally coupled to the cartridge arm and effective to deform the at least one staple; and

a support coupled to the end effector and movable between a proximal position in which the anvil and cartridge can pivot relative to one another, and a distal position in which the support engages at least at a mid-portion of the end effector to prevent deflection of the anvil relative to the cartridge arm when at least one staple is driven from the cartridge arm and deformed against the anvil.

2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the support is axially aligned with the end effector when the support is in the proximal position, and wherein the support extends substantially transverse to the end effector when the support is in the distal position.

3. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a linkage slidably coupled to the anvil.

4. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the linkage includes a proximal linkage pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft that extends proximally from the end effector, and a distal linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the proximal linkage and at an opposite end to the anvil.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 4, wherein the distal linkage is coupled to the anvil at a position distal to a pivot joint formed between the anvil and the cartridge arm.

6. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a sleeve slidably disposable over at least a portion of the anvil.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupled to the end effector and adapted to urge the anvil toward the cartridge arm.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the support is adapted to urge the anvil toward the cartridge arm.

9. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a cartridge arm adapted to hold a plurality of staples;

an anvil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being coupled to the cartridge arm at a pivot point; and

a support movably coupled to the anvil and adapted to contact the anvil at a location distal to the pivot point to reduce deflection of the anvil when a plurality of staples are driven from the cartridge arm and deformed against the anvil.

10. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the support is movable between a proximal position in which the anvil can move about the pivot point, and a distal position in which the support prevents the anvil from moving about the pivot point.

11. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the support includes at least two linkages pivotally coupled to one another, at least one of the linkages being slidably coupled to the anvil.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the support comprises:

a distal linkage slidably coupled to the anvil;

a proximal linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the distal linkage and at an opposite end to an elongate shaft extending proximally from the cartridge arm; and

a middle linkage pivotally coupled at one end to the elongate shaft and pivotally coupled at an opposite end to the distal linkage and the proximal linkage.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 9, further comprising a stop adapted to limit distal movement of the support relative to the anvil.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein the stop comprises an elongate slot formed in the anvil, and a pin member coupled to the support and slidably disposed in the elongate slot.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 14, wherein the elongate slot in the anvil terminates proximal to the distal end of the anvil.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the support comprises a sleeve slidably disposable over the anvil.

17. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the cartridge arm includes a staple cartridge disposed therein and containing a plurality of staples arranged in at least one linear row.

18. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the cartridge arm and anvil have a length of at least about 60 mm.

19. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the cartridge arm and anvil have a length of at least about 90 mm.

20. The surgical stapler of claim 10, wherein the cartridge arm, anvil, and support have a maximum outer diameter of less than about 16 mm when the support is in the proximal position.

21. A method of stapling tissue, comprising:

positioning tissue between a cartridge and an anvil of a surgical stapler;

advancing a support relative to the anvil to hinder movement of the anvil relative to the cartridge; and

driving at least one staple from the cartridge, through tissue positioned between the anvil and the cartridge, and against the anvil to deform the staple and thereby staple the tissue.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein, prior to positioning tissue, the surgical stapler is inserted through an access tube.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising, prior to driving at least one staple, impinging tissue between the anvil and the cartridge for a user-determined period of time.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein driving at least one staple comprises driving a plurality of staples oriented in at least one line.