Surgical stapler

• US 20070278277A1
• Filed: 05/21/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Gary, Wixey, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the distal end of the shaft, the second jaw arranged to receive a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and movable along the longitudinal axis towards the first jaw;

an actuator coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; and

a staple pusher coupled to the actuator and movable along the longitudinal axis to push the plurality of staples out of the cartridge along the longitudinal axis, the staple pusher having a distal portion pivotably connected to a proximal portion, the distal portion having a first position and a second position, the first position preventing movement of the staple pusher towards the first jaw.

2. The stapler of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of staple drivers having at least one distal surface arranged to drive at least of the plurality of staples out of the staple cartridge and at least one proximal surface arranged to contact the distal portion of the staple pusher;

wherein the distal portion of the staple pusher has an enlarged end arranged to contact the at least one proximal surface of the staple driver and an opposite end having a mating slot arranged to connect to a mating slot of the proximal portion of the staple pusher.

3. The stapler of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the staple pusher in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The stapler of claim 1 wherein the shaft comprises a cartridge support having a proximal end and a distal end being the second jaw, the proximal end having a first, second and third slots and a latch movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to be positioned sequentially in each of the first, second and third slots.

5. The stapler of claim 4 further comprising a rotatable cartridge lever connected to a frame, the cartridge support slidable within the frame.

6. The stapler of claim 4 further comprising a spring and a pivotable firing lever having a slot on one of the firing lever and the spring connected to another end of the firing lever biasing the firing lever in a horizontal position.

7. The stapler of claim 4 further comprising an actuator connected to the proximal end of the shaft, the actuator having a movable trigger and a stationary handle.

8. The stapler of claim 7 further comprising a rotatable firing lever lock having a slot, the rotatable firing lever lock operationally connected to the cartridge support and the slot operationally connected to a protrusion extending from the trigger.

9. The stapler of claim 7 further comprising a capture pin pusher being actuated by the movable trigger.

10. The stapler of claim 7 further comprising a release button connected to the stationary handle and the latch and movable in a first position moving the latch perpendicular.

11. The stapler of claim 1 wherein the first jaw further comprises an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets, each of the plurality of staple forming pockets having a hour glass shape with squared off ends.

12. A surgical stapler comprising:

a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the distal end of the shaft, the second jaw arranged to receive a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and movable towards the first jaw along the longitudinal axis;

an actuator coupled to the proximal end of the shaft;

a staple pusher coupled to the actuator and movable along the longitudinal axis to push the plurality of staples out of the cartridge along the longitudinal axis; and

means for preventing longitudinal movement of the staple pusher.

13. The stapler of claim 12 wherein the means for preventing longitudinal movement of the staple pusher comprising a distal portion of the staple pusher pivotally connected to a proximal portion of the staple pusher.

14. The stapler of claim 12 wherein the means for preventing longitudinal movement of the staple pusher comprising a pivotable latch connected to a pair of frame supports, the frame supports having a distal end connected to an anvil and a proximal end connected to the actuator.

15. The stapler of claim 14 wherein distal end of the frame support has an L-shaped slot and the pivotable latch has a projection movable within the L-shaped slot.

16. The stapler of claim 12 wherein the means for preventing longitudinal movement of the staple pusher comprising a pivotable latch connected to the second jaw, the second jaw having a slot and the pivotable latch having a projection movable within the slot, the slot positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second jaw.

17. The stapler of claim 16 wherein the shaft further comprises a frame support having a distal end forming the first jaw and the proximal end connected to the actuator, the frame having a slot, the projection of the pivotable latch movable into the slot of the frame in an initial position.

18. A stapler comprising:

a shaft having a distal end with a first jaw connected to a anvil, a movable second jaw arranged to receive a staple cartridge and a staple pusher movable within the second jaw, the second jaw movable towards the first jaw in a longitudinal direction;

an actuator connected to a proximal end of the shaft and having a movable trigger connected to a stationary handle housing and a firing lever encased in the stationary handle housing, the firing lever having a hook operationally connected to a projection extending from the staple pusher.

19. The stapler of claim 18 further comprising:

a support member connected to the second jaw and having one end with a projection connected to a spring connected to the stationary housing and a opposing end with a second projection extending traversed to the longitudinal axis; and

a firing lever lock encased in and pivotally connected to the stationary housing, the firing lever lock having a hook operationally connected to the second projection of the support member.

20. The stapler of claim 19 further comprising a pivotable lock preventing movement of the staple pusher along the longitudinal axis.