SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT

• US 20110095070A1
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pedros, Guido, Havrilko, Michael J., Paul, Stephen R., Williams, Ryan, Milliman, Keith L., Patel, Nihir
• Granted Patent: US 8,322,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/181.1
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle assembly having a proximal end, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The shell assembly includes a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples. A flexible engagement structure attaches the staple guide to the shell.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle for actuating the stapler;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly;

a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the shell assembly including a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples; and

a flexible engagement structure attaching the staple guide to the shell.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible engagement structure includes at least one hook on the staple guide.

3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the shell includes a locking aperture configured and dimensioned to receive the hook of the staple guide.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible engagement structure includes a flexible tab on the shell.

5. The instrument of claim 4, wherein the flexible tab includes an aperture to receive a hook on the staple guide.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein the hook is substantially rigid.

7. The instrument of claim 5, wherein the flexible tab is positioned at the distalmost end of the shell.

8. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising at least one flexible projecting member compressible by the staple guide.

9. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the hook includes an angled surface engageable with a wall adjacent the locking aperture during assembly to cause flexing of the hook.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the shell assembly includes a plurality of projections extending distally to apply a distal force to the staple guide.

11. The instrument of claim 10, wherein the projections are compressible by the staple guide.

12. The instrument of claim 10, wherein the projections extend from a distalmost end of the shell.

13. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle for actuating the stapler;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly; and

a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the shell assembly including a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples, the staple guide including a tab and the shell assembly including a slotted region having a first slotted portion and a second slotted portion angled with respect to the first slotted portion, the tab movable within the slotted region to attach the staple guide and shell assembly.

14. The instrument of claim 13, wherein the first slotted region extends substantially axially and the second slotted region extends substantially radially.

15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the second slotted region has a reduced diameter section having a dimension smaller than an outer dimension of the tab.