FLEXIBLE SURGICAL STAPLER WITH MOTOR IN THE HEAD

• US 20100320252A1
• Filed: 06/14/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Beardsley, John W., Viola, Frank, Bryant, Teddy R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,827,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00433 knurled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• 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 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members

Abstract

A surgical stapler having a remote motorized staple head is provided and generally includes a handle having a control button and a highly flexible cable extending distally from the handle. A housing incorporating a staple assembly is affixed to a distal end of the flexible cable. The housing may incorporate articulating structure to position the staple assembly relative to the remainder of the housing.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

an elongate member;

an end effector assembly positioned at one end of the elongate member, the end effector assembly including;

a housing including a motor disposed therein; and

a staple assembly disposed at a distal end of the housing, wherein the motor is operably coupled to the staple assembly for driving the staple assembly.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the staple assembly includes a staple cartridge configured to retain a plurality of surgical staples therein and an anvil assembly pivotably coupled to the staple cartridge, the anvil assembly being moveable with respect to the staple cartridge between an open position and a closed position.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the motor is configured for moving the anvil assembly from the open position to the closed position and firing staples from the staple cartridge through tissue grasped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly.

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, further comprising a control button disposed on the housing and coupled to the motor for selectively actuating the staple assembly.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, further comprising:

a handle coupled to the elongate member; and

an articulating section interconnecting the housing and the staple assembly, the articulating section configured to permit articulation of the staple assembly relative to the housing.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein the articulating section is configured to permit articulation of the staple assembly relative to the housing in at least one plane.

7. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein the articulating section is configured to permit 360 degree articulation of the staple assembly relative to the housing.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, wherein the articulating section includes at least one of a universal joint, a flexible gooseneck member, a plurality of links pivotably coupled to one another, a flexible lead screw, a flexible camming beam, a flexible wound cable, a knuckle joint, and a constant-velocity joint.

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, further comprising a cover disposed above the articulating section.

10. The surgical stapler according to claim 5, further comprising at least one control knob disposed on the handle, the at least one control knob configured for controlling the articulation of the articulating section.

11. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member is flexible.

12. A surgical stapler, comprising:

an elongate member;

an end effector assembly positioned at a distal end of the elongate member, the end effector assembly including;

a housing including a motor disposed therein; and

a staple assembly disposed at a distal end of the housing, wherein the motor is operably coupled to the staple assembly for driving the staple assembly; and

an articulating section interconnecting the housing and the staple assembly, the articulating section configured to permit articulation of the staple assembly relative to the housing.

13. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, wherein the articulating section includes at least one of a universal joint, a flexible gooseneck member, a plurality of links pivotably coupled to one another, a flexible lead screw, a flexible camming beam, a flexible wound cable, a knuckle joint, and a constant-velocity joint.

14. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, wherein the motor is configured for moving the staple assembly between an open position and a closed position and firing staples from the staple assembly through tissue grasped by the staple assembly.

15. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, further comprising a handle coupled to the elongate member, the handle including at least one control button for selectively actuating the staple assembly.

16. The surgical stapler according to claim 12, further comprising:

a handle coupled to the elongate member; and

at least one control knob disposed on the handle, the at least one control knob configured for controlling the articulation of the articulating section.