Re-loadable surgical stapling instrument

• US 20090001123A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jerome R., Hess, Christopher J., Weisenburgh, William B. II
• Granted Patent: US 7,735,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• 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 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/08 : Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/30 : Cooling after the engine is stopped
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2037/02 : starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/04 : Pump-driving arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/10 : Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 : by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 : by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/162 : by cutting in and out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 : characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 : at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/104 : using electric step motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0095 : Synchronisation of the cylinders during engine shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 : for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 : Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 : Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 : Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/002 : controlling air supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/025 : by determining temperatures inside the cylinder, e.g. combustion temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 : for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/065 : at hot start or restart F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3094 : the fuel injection being effected by at least two different injectors, e.g. one in the intake manifold and one in the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 : Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/401 : Controlling injection timing F02D41/402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/402 : Multiple injections
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 : comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/02 : Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 : Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

A surgical stapler including an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end. In one various embodiment, an anvil is situated at the second end of the elongate shaft. In one embodiment, a staple cartridge, configured to removably store at least one staple, is movable relative to the anvil. In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is operably engaged with the staple cartridge through an actuating shaft. In one embodiment, the actuating mechanism is configured to move the staple cartridge relative to the anvil.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end;

an anvil situated at said second end of said elongate shaft, wherein said anvil includes an aperture extending therethrough;

a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge is movable relative to said anvil, wherein said staple cartridge is configured to removably store at least one staple therein, and wherein said staple cartridge includes an actuating shaft configured to extend through said aperture; and

an actuating mechanism operably engaged with said actuating shaft, wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said staple cartridge relative to said anvil.

2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said staple cartridge is detachable from said actuating mechanism, and wherein said staple cartridge is replaceable with a second staple cartridge.

3. The surgical stapler of claim 2, wherein at least one of said actuating shaft and said actuating mechanism includes a detent mechanism configured to releasably connect said actuating shaft and said actuating mechanism.

4. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said actuating shaft defines an axis, and wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said staple cartridge relative to said axis.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said at least one surgical staple includes a plurality of surgical staples, wherein said anvil includes a plurality of pockets configured to deform said plurality of surgical staples, and wherein said pockets are positioned in a circular array.

6. The surgical stapler of claim 5, wherein said pockets are positioned in a circular array about said aperture.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said staple cartridge includes a housing and a driver, wherein said driver is movable relative to said housing, wherein said actuating shaft is operably engaged with said driver, and wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said driver relative to said housing to deploy said at least one staple from said staple cartridge.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein at least one of said anvil and said staple cartridge further includes a cutting member, and wherein said cutting member is configured to incise tissue.

9. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a buttress material positioned intermediate said staple cartridge and said anvil.

10. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical instrument of claim 1;

sterilizing the surgical instrument; and

storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.

11. A surgical stapler, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end;

an anvil situated at said second end of said elongate shaft;

a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge is movable relative to said anvil, and wherein said staple cartridge is configured to removably store at least one staple therein;

an actuating shaft; and

an actuating mechanism, wherein said actuating shaft is operably engaged with said staple cartridge and said actuating mechanism, and wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said staple cartridge relative to said anvil.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said staple cartridge is disengageable from said actuating mechanism, and wherein said staple cartridge is replaceable with a second staple cartridge.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said actuating shaft defines an axis, and wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said staple cartridge relative to said axis.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said at least one surgical staple includes a plurality of surgical staples, wherein said anvil includes a plurality of pockets configured to deform said plurality of surgical staples, and wherein said pockets are positioned in a circular array.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said anvil includes an aperture extending therethrough, and wherein said actuation shaft is configured to extend through said aperture.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said staple cartridge includes a housing and a driver, wherein said driver is movable relative to said housing, wherein said actuating shaft is operably engaged with said driver, and wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to move said driver relative to said housing to deploy said at least one staple from said staple cartridge.

17. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical instrument of claim 11;

sterilizing the surgical instrument; and

storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.

18. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge body;

at least one surgical staple removably positioned within said staple cartridge body; and

a connector, wherein said connector is configured to operably engage a shaft of an actuation mechanism, and wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to move said staple cartridge body along an axis defined by the shaft.

19. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein said staple cartridge body is detachable from the shaft, and wherein said staple cartridge is replaceable with a second staple cartridge.

20. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein the shaft is connected to said staple cartridge body, wherein said staple cartridge body and the shaft are configured to be detached from the actuation mechanism, and wherein said staple cartridge body and the shaft are replaceable with a second staple cartridge body and a second shaft.