Staple driver for articulating surgical stapler

• US 20080149684A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,434,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part

Abstract

An articulating surgical instrument is provided including a handle, an articulating portion extending distally of the handle and an end effector positioned on a distal end of the articulating portion. A flexible drive band is provided for movement through the articulating portion and end effector. The flexible drive band includes a first portion having a first height and the second portion having a second height greater than the first height. The difference in heights being sufficient to eject staples from a body portion of the end effector into an anvil member of the end effector. An actuation mechanism is provided for drawing the flexible drive band through the articulating surgical instrument.

Claims

1. A staple driving assembly comprising:

a cartridge having a body portion, the body portion having at least one staple containing pocket;

an elongated band movably mounted within the body portion, the band being movable beneath the at least one staple containing pocket, such that the elongated band urges a staple contained within the at least one staple containing pocket out of the body portion as the elongated band passes beneath the staple containing pocket in both the proximal and the distal direction.

2. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated band is flexible.

3. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the elongated band has a first portion having a first height and a second portion proximal of the first portion and having a leading edge, the leading edge having a second height greater than the first height.

4. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the difference between the first height and the second height is substantially equal to the distance required to drive the staple out of the staple containing pocket.

5. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the elongated band includes a third portion intermediate the first portion and the second portion, the third portion tapering between the first and second portions such that movement of the elongated band beneath the staple containing pocket progressively drives the staple out of the staple containing pocket.

6. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the elongated band has a constant height proximal of the leading edge.

7. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the height of the elongated band decreases proximally of the leading edge.

8. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the body portion includes:

a first staple containing pocket on a first side of the body portion;

a second staple containing pocket on a second side of the body portion; and

a post positioned intermediate the first and second sides of the body portion such that the elongated band passes from the first side around the post to the second side as the elongated band passes beneath the first and second staple containing pockets.

9. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the post includes a roller movably mounted on the post such that the elongated band passes around the roller.

10. The staple driving assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the body portion further includes a pusher positioned within the first staple containing pocket intermediate the staple contained within the first staple containing pocket and the elongated band.