Surgical instrument including a locking assembly

• US 20080083807A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marczyk, Stanislaw, Beardsley, John W.
• Application Number:
  US11/544,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083807A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00853 low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating (ptf, ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00964 composite
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, an articulating tool assembly and a locking assembly is disclosed. The handle portion includes a movable handle. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. The articulating tool assembly defines a second longitudinal axis and is movable from a first position where the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position where the second longitudinal axis is at an angle to the first longitudinal axis. The locking assembly includes a member that is advanceable distally with respect to the body portion. The member engages the articulating tool assembly upon manipulation of the movable handle to move an anvil and a cartridge assembly in approximation with one another to help maintain the articulating tool assembly in its first position.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion including a movable handle;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly being disposed at a distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;

the articulating tool assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly, the anvil and cartridge assembly being movable into approximation with one another by manipulation of the movable handle; and

a locking assembly including a member advanceable distally with respect to the body portion, the member engaging the articulating tool assembly upon manipulation of the movable handle to move the anvil and cartridge assembly in approximation with one another to help maintain the articulating tool assembly in its first position.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly includes a pivot plate in mechanical cooperation with the articulating tool assembly and the member is a finger in mechanical cooperation with the body portion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the pivot plate has at least one slot therein and being securable to a portion of the articulating tool assembly, the finger extending distally from a portion of the body portion and being engagable with the at least one slot.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein at least a partial actuation of the movable handle causes the finger to move towards the at least one slot.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate includes five slots.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly further includes at least one biasing element which biases the member distally towards the pivot plate.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the biasing element includes at least one spring.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of the member and the at least one slot is at least partially wedge-shaped.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly further includes a link, the link being in mechanical engagement with the pivot plate and the member.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the link is pivotably engagable with the pivot plate and is slidable with respect to the member.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the articulating tool assembly is part of a disposable loading unit.

12. A disposable loading unit configured for releasable engagement with a surgical instrument, comprising:

a body portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an articulating tool assembly disposed distally of the body portion being securable to a distal end of the body portion and defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to the first longitudinal axis; and

a locking assembly including a pivot plate in mechanical cooperation with the articulating tool assembly and a finger in mechanical cooperation with the body portion, the pivot plate having at least one slot therein and being securable to a portion of the articulating tool assembly, the finger extending distally from a portion of the body portion and being engagable with the at least one slot, whereby a predetermined amount of distal movement of the finger with respect to the pivot plate advances the finger at least partially into engagement with the at least one slot to help maintain the articulating tool assembly in its first position.

13. The disposable loading unit of claim 12, wherein the pivot plate includes five slots.

14. The disposable loading unit of claim 12, wherein the locking assembly further includes at least one biasing element which biases the finger distally towards the pivot plate.

15. The disposable loading unit of claim 14, wherein the biasing element includes at least one spring.

16. The disposable loading unit of claim 12, wherein at least one of the finger and the at least one slot is at least partially wedge-shaped.

17. The disposable loading unit of claim 12, wherein the locking assembly further includes a link, the link being in mechanical engagement with the pivot plate and the finger.

18. The disposable loading unit of claim 17, wherein the link is in pivotable engagement with the pivot plate and is slidable with respect to the finger.