SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A PLASTIC SURFACE

• US 20080308605A1
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,866,525 B2
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• 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 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• 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 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14344 Moulding in or through a hole in the article, e.g. outsert moulding

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion; and

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the body portion, the tool assembly including a cartridge assembly, and an anvil assembly supported adjacent the cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly from an open position to a closed position, the tool assembly further including a closure member having an upper flange portion and a lower flange portion interconnected by a vertical beam portion, the closure member being movable in relation to the tool assembly to maintain a desired tissue gap adjacent the closure member, at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion including an external surface, an internal surface and a hole, the hole extending between the external surface and the internal surface, wherein a material having a low coefficient of friction is positioned within the hole and on at least a portion of the internal surface of at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion includes both the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion defines a recess that communicates with the hole, the material having a low coefficient of friction being positioned within the recess.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the material having a low coefficient of friction is an injection moldable material.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the material is a plastic.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the material having a low coefficient of friction extends along substantially the entire length of the internal surface of the at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is secured to a distal end of a flexible drive assembly.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the vertical beam portion of the closure member includes at least one cutout dimensioned to receive the distal end of the flexible drive assembly.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the at least one cutout includes a first cutout on one side of the vertical beam portion and a second cutout on an opposite side of the vertical beam portion.

10. A method of manufacturing a closure member for a surgical instrument, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a closure member including an upper flange portion, a lower flange portion and a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion, the upper and lower flange portions having an internal surface and an external surface;

drilling a hole through at least one of the upper and lower flange portions, the hole extending from the external surface to the internal surface of the at least one upper and lower flange portion; and

injecting a material having a low coefficient of friction through the hole using an injection molding process to cover at least a portion of the internal surface of the at least one upper and lower flange portion.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one upper and lower flange portion includes both the upper and lower flange portions.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of injecting a material includes covering substantially the entire internal surface of the at least one upper and lower flange portion.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the material having the low coefficient of friction is a plastic material.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of providing a closure member includes providing a recess in the internal surface of the at least one upper and lower flange portion.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of injecting includes injecting a material into the recess.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of injecting a material into the recess includes injecting a material into the recess such that the material extends inwardly of the internal surface.

17. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of machining the material after the step of injecting.