SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATED JAW STRUCTURE AND A DETACHABLE KNIFE

• US 20100114137A1
• Filed: 01/11/2010
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Redmond, Russell J., Vidal, Claude A., Plyley, Alan K., Lagerquist, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter

Abstract

A surgical instrument with articulated jaw structure includes a frame and two jaws. The jaws have proximal portions that are mounted to each other for movement in a substantially parallel relation between a fully open position wherein the jaws are separated for receiving tissue therebetween and an approximated position wherein the jaws are closer together. Preferably, the jaws are in the fully open position when the distal portion of at least of the jaws is located in an extended position and are in the approximated position when the distal portion of the extended jaw or jaws is located in a retracted position. The surgical instrument may further include a detachable knife assembly and knife actuating mechanism.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A surgical instrument with articulated jaw structure for capturing tissue of a body, the instrument comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongated frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the frame supported by the handle portion; and

an actuating mechanism extending through the frame for operating a tool portion, the tool portion comprising;

a fixed jaw defining a jaw axis, the fixed jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the fixed jaw being rigidly mounted to the distal end of the frame;

a movable jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the movable jaw axially movable in a proximal direction with respect to the fixed jaw between an open position wherein the movable jaw is substantially spaced from the fixed jaw and an approximated position wherein the movable jaw is substantially closer to the fixed jaw; and

a staple cartridge supported by one of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 26, wherein the movable jaw includes a first tissue contacting surface disposed thereon opposed with a second tissue contacting surface disposed on the fixed jaw, wherein the first tissue contacting surface is adapted for movement in a substantially parallel relation with respect to the second tissue contacting surface as the movable jaw is moved between the open and approximated positions.

28. The surgical instrument according to claim 27, wherein movable jaw is adapted for movement in a pivotal relation with respect to the fixed jaw as the movable jaw is moved between the open position and an intermediate position defined between the open and approximated positions, and wherein the movable jaw is adapted for movement in a substantially parallel relation with respect to the fixed jaw between the intermediate position and the approximated position.

29. The surgical instrument according to claim 27, wherein the staple cartridge is supported on the movable jaw and defines the movable tissue contacting surface.

30. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion fixed to the handle portion;

a tool portion remotely actuable from the handle portion, the tool portion defining a longitudinal tool axis and including an anvil jaw and a cartridge jaw containing a cartridge with staples, at least one of the cartridge jaw and anvil jaw being mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the other of the cartridge jaw and anvil jaw between an open position for receiving tissue and a closed position for clamping the tissue; and

a firing mechanism actuable from the handle portion to fire the staples from the cartridge jaw when the jaws are in the closed position.

31. The surgical instrument according to claim 30, wherein the staples are arranged longitudinally with respect to one another in the cartridge jaw, and wherein firing mechanism is adapted for longitudinal movement to eject the staples sequentially from the cartridge jaw.

32. The surgical instrument according to claim 30, further comprising a knife assembly mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to the tool portion.

33. The surgical instrument of claim 30, wherein the movement of the jaws is in two parts, a first part wherein the jaws pivot relative to each other between the open position and an intermediate position and a second part wherein the jaws move in substantially parallel relation between the intermediate and approximated positions.

34. The surgical instrument according to claim 33, wherein the at least one of the cartridge jaw and anvil jaw being mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement is movable within the body portion during the second part of the jaw movement.

35. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

an endoscopic body portion extending from the handle portion; and

a pair of juxtaposed jaw members defining a longitudinal jaw axis, the pair of juxtaposed jaw members remotely actuable from the handle portion and mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaws are in spaced relation and a second position wherein the jaws are in close relation, one of said jaw members being adapted to receive a staple cartridge for supporting a plurality of staples.