SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE CLOSING POSITION
First Claim
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a first handle portion including;
a proximal end;
a distal end; and
a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
a second handle portion including;
a proximal end;
a distal end; and
an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; and
a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion at a location which is intermediate its proximal end and its distal end, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin cannot be disengaged from said slot when said latch is in said partially-closed position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling instrument including first and second jaw members which can be pivotably connected to each other and secured in position relative to each other by a latch. The first and second jaw members can include first and second locking members which can allow the first and second jaw members to be rotated relative to one another but prevent, or at least inhibit, the first and second jaw members from being separated from one another. Such embodiments may be particularly useful in circumstances when the latch is in a partially-closed position and the first and second jaw members are being manipulated to position tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members can be sufficiently connected together in order to prevent, or at least reduce the possibility of, the first and second jaw members from becoming detached from one another and exposing a cutting member.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
a first handle portion including; a proximal end; a distal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including; a proximal end; a distal end; and an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion at a location which is intermediate its proximal end and its distal end, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin cannot be disengaged from said slot when said latch is in said partially-closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
a first handle portion including; a proximal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including; a proximal end; and an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin can be disengaged from said slot only when said latch is in said fully open position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
a first handle portion including; a proximal end; a first lock portion; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including; a proximal end a second lock portion; and an anvil, wherein said first lock portion is configured to be engaged with said second lock portion to pivotably couple said proximal end of said first handle portion and said proximal end of said second handle portion; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion and move said anvil into position relative to said staple cartridge channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
a first handle portion including; a proximal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including; a proximal end; and an anvil; pivot means for pivotably coupling said proximal end of said first handle portion to said proximal end of said second handle portion; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first portion and said second portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first portion and said second portion and move said anvil into position relative to said staple cartridge channel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A surgical stapler, comprising:
-
a first handle portion including a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including an anvil; a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, and wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position and a closed position; and a biasing member configured to bias said anvil away from said staple cartridge channel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification