SHIELD FOR SURGICAL STAPLER AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20100163598A1
• Filed: 12/22/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George E. Belzer
• Original Assignee: George E. Belzer
• Inventors: Belzer, George E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,770,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/181.100
• 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 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

A surgical stapler that may have a head assembly, a stapling assembly, a shield, a base head, a handle assembly, and a shaft assembly. A head assembly may have an anvil and anvil shaft, as well as a stapling assembly. A stapling assembly may have a trocar that can be removeably detachable with the anvil, a cannula extension, and a plurality of staples. A shield may be configured to retract from a first extended position where the shield generally covers the stapling assembly or the head assembly, to a second retracted position where the shield generally exposes the stapling assembly or the head assembly. The shield may be integral with the stapler, or provided after-market as an add-on. A surgical stapler may additionally or alternatively include an air or gas pump assembly that can be used to insufflate the rectum and intestinal tract during insertion and advancement of the stapler.

Claims

1. A shield for a surgical stapler having a portion that at least partially covers an insertion end of the surgical stapler to facilitate passage of the surgical stapler through a lumen.

2. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is integral with the surgical stapler.

3. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is attachable to the surgical stapler.

4. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is retractable to generally expose the insertion end of the surgical stapler.

5. The shield of claim 3, wherein the shield is retractable to generally expose the insertion end of the surgical stapler.

6. The shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is removable from the surgical stapler.

7. A surgical stapler comprising:

a stapling assembly having a trocar;

an anvil having an anvil shaft removably detachable with the trocar; and

a shield configured to retract from a first extended position where the shield at least partially covers the stapling assembly to a second retracted position where the shield generally exposes the stapling assembly.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the second retracted position of the shield positions the shield into or around the staple head assembly.

9. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of petal-like members.

10. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the shield is a peel-away sheath having one or more weakened areas whereat the sheath peels away.

11. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the shield is a balloon that is inflated in the first extended position and deflated in the second retracted position.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the shield is separate but attachable to the stapling assembly.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the shield is integral with the stapling assembly.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 7, further comprising an actuator for controlling extending and retracting of the shield.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 7, further comprising a flexible shaft assembly.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein in the extended position, the shield is a generally streamlined shape.

17. The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein in the extended position, the shield is generally dome-shaped.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the end of the first lumen is secured by a purse string suture.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the end of the first lumen is secured by a linear line of staples.

18. A method for constructing an anastomosis comprising;

securing an end of a first lumen to be connected;

inserting a surgical stapler into and through the first lumen to the secured end, the surgical stapler comprising;

a staple head assembly;

an anvil having an anvil shaft removably detachable with the trocar; and

a shield configured to retract from a first extended position where the shield generally covers the trocar to a second retracted position where the shield generally exposes the trocar;

retracting the shield to the second retracted position;

passing the trocar through the secured end of the first lumen;

inserting the anvil including an anvil shaft into a second lumen with the anvil shaft exposed;

connecting the trocar to the anvil shaft;

using an actuator on to drive the anvil and staple head assembly together, thereby stapling the first and second lumens together; and

removing the surgical stapler from the patient.