Insertion Shroud for Surgical Instrument

• US 20090082789A1
• Filed: 09/03/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Milliman, Keith L., Hessler, Thomas R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,597,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/148
• 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 17/115 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 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A shroud is provided which includes a rounded atraumatic distal configuration. The shroud is configured and dimensioned to be positioned on the distal end portion of a surgical instrument. The shroud is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the shroud extends beyond a distal end of a tool assembly of the surgical instrument and a second position in which the distal portion of the shroud is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the housing, the elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly in mechanical cooperation with a distal end of the elongated body portion; and

a shroud having a rounded atraumatic distal configuration, the shroud being positioned on the elongated body portion and being movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the shroud extends beyond a distal end of the tool assembly and a second position in which the distal portion of the shroud is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly.

2. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, wherein the shroud includes at least one tab positioned on a proximal end of the shroud, the tab being configured to provide a surface for grasping the shroud.

3. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, wherein the shroud includes a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion, the distal end including a plurality of distal segments which define a plurality of slits, the distal segments being flexible to facilitate movement of the shroud between the first and second positions.

4. A surgical instrument, according to claim 3, wherein the proximal end of the shroud includes a plurality of flexible proximal segments which define a plurality of slits, the flexible proximal segments being outwardly flexible to facilitate positioning of the shroud on the surgical instrument.

5. A surgical instrument, according to claim 3, wherein the central body portion is substantially cylindrical.

6. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, wherein the shroud is made from an elastic material.

7. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staple pockets and wherein at least a portion of the shroud is configured to at least partially cover the plurality of staple pockets.

8. A surgical instrument, according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a tissue cavity and wherein at least a portion of the shroud is configured to at least partially cover the tissue cavity.

9. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, further comprising an engagement feature configured to retain the shroud in the first position.

10. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly is configured to selectively engage an anvil assembly.

11. A surgical instrument, according to claim 1 further comprising at least one flange, wherein the at least one flange is defined on an inner cavity of the central body portion.

12. A shroud configured for use with a surgical instrument, the shroud comprising:

a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central body portion, the distal portion including a plurality of distal segments which define a plurality of slits, the distal segments being flexible to facilitate movement of the shroud between the first and second positions, the distal portion defining a rounded atraumatic distal configuration, the shroud being positioned on an elongated body portion of a surgical instrument and being movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the shroud extends beyond a distal end of a tool assembly of the surgical instrument and a second position in which the distal portion of the shroud is positioned proximal to the distal end of the tool assembly.

13. A shroud, according to claim 12, wherein the shroud may be fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of moldable and/or thermoformable plastics, polymers, urethanes, natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, silicones, elastomer and elastomeric materials, and latex materials.

14. A shroud, according to claim 12, wherein the shroud may be fabricated from sterilizable medical grade material.

15. A shroud, according to claim 12, further including a flange formed on an inner surface of the shroud, the flange being positioned to engage a distal end of a surgical instrument when the shroud is in the first position.

16. A shroud according to claim 12, wherein the rounded atraumatic distal configuration is configured to be substantially bullet-shaped.

17. A shroud according to claim 12, wherein the distal segments are moved toward a collapsed configuration during insertion of the surgical instrument.

18. A shroud for use with a surgical stapling instrument, the shroud comprising:

a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central body portion, the shroud being mountable on an outer surface of the surgical stapling instrument, the distal portion of the shroud being flexible to facilitate movement of the shroud between first and second positions with respect to the stapling instrument, and at least one tab extending from the shroud, the tab being configured to provide a surface for grasping the shroud.

19. A shroud according to claim 18, wherein the shroud includes engagement structure to maintain the shroud on the elongated body portion.

20. A shroud according to claim 18, wherein the shroud includes a series of proximal segments forming an opening to receive a portion of the surgical stapling instrument.