Introducer System and Assembly For Surgical Staplers

• US 20110248067A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hidehisa Thomas Takei
• Original Assignee: Hidehisa Thomas Takei
• Inventors: Takei, Hidehisa Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,662,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 2017/00623 Introducing or retrieving devices therefor

Abstract

An introducer assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The introducer assembly includes an elongated main body portion, one or more mounting mechanisms associated with the main body portion, and a plurality of petals or fingers positioned at a distal end of the elongated main body portion. The one or more mounting mechanisms are adapted to detachably mount with respect to the surgical stapler. The plurality of petals or fingers define a distal junction and a proximally-directed mounting member that is adapted to detachably engage a distal portion of the surgical stapler. The plurality of petals or fingers define an inner region that accommodates a distal end of the surgical stapler. The distal junction and the proximally-directed mounting member associated with the plurality of petals or fingers are adapted to disengage upon application of a requisite proximally-directed force to the elongated body portion. Methods and combinations that utilize the introducer are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An introducer assembly for use with a surgical stapler, comprising:

a. an elongated main body portion;

b. one or more mounting mechanisms associated with the main body portion, said one or more mounting mechanisms being configured and dimensioned for detachably mounting with respect to the surgical stapler;

c. a plurality of petals or fingers positioned at a distal end of the elongated main body portion, said plurality of petals or fingers defining a distal junction and a proximally-directed mounting member that is configured and dimensioned to detachably engage a distal portion of the surgical stapler.

2. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated body portion defines a proximal extension arm that is angled with respect to a distal extent of the main body portion.

3. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body portion defines a substantially arcuate geometry.

4. The introducer assembly of claim 3, wherein the substantially arcuate geometry extends over an arc of about 120°

to about 180°

.

5. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body portion flares out to define a junction region, and wherein the plurality of petals or fingers are joined to the main body portion in the junction region.

6. The introducer assembly of claim 5, wherein the junction region includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots through which the plurality of petals or fingers are joined.

7. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more intermediate structures are positioned between the plurality of petals or fingers and the elongated main body portion.

8. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of petals or fingers define an inner region that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a distal end of the surgical stapler.

9. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of petals or fingers are detachably joined with respect to each other at the distal junction.

10. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximally-directed mounting member defines either (i) a central channel for receipt of a distally-directed shaft member extending from the surgical stapler, or (ii) a rod-like structure for receipt in a distally-directed channel associated with the surgical stapler.

11. The introducer assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal junction and the proximally-directed mounting member associated with the plurality of petals or fingers are adapted to disengage upon application of a requisite proximally-directed force to the elongated body portion.

12. A method for introducing a surgical stapler with respect to an anatomical region, comprising;

a. providing a surgical stapler that includes a handle, a shaft a distally positioned stapling member;

b. detachably mounting an introducer with respect to said surgical stapler, said introducer including (i) an elongated main body portion, (ii)one or more mounting mechanisms associated with the main body portion; and

(iii) a plurality of petals or fingers positioned at a distal end of the elongated main body portion;

wherein said one or more mounting mechanisms detachably mount with respect to the surgical stapler, and wherein said plurality of petals or fingers define a distal junction and a proximally-directed mounting member that detachably engage a distal portion of the surgical stapler.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of petals or fingers define an inner region that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a distal end of the surgical stapler.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the proximally-directed mounting member defines either (i) a central channel for receipt of a distally-directed shaft member extending from the surgical stapler, or (ii) a rod-like structure for receipt in a distally-directed channel associated with the surgical stapler.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising disengaging the introducer from the surgical stapler.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the introducer is disengaged from the surgical stapler application of a proximally-directed force with respect to the elongated body portion which causes the distal junction and the proximally-directed mounting member associated with the plurality of petals or fingers to disengage.

17. In combination:

a. a surgical stapler that includes a handle, a shaft a distally positioned stapling member;

b. an introducer assembly including (i) an elongated main body portion, (ii)one or more mounting mechanisms associated with the main body portion; and

(iii) a plurality of petals or fingers positioned at a distal end of the elongated main body portion;

wherein said one or more mounting mechanisms are detachably mounted with respect to the surgical stapler, and wherein said plurality of petals or fingers define a distal junction and a proximally-directed mounting member that are detachably engaged with respect to a distal portion of the surgical stapler.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the plurality of petals or fingers associated with the introducer define an inner region that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a distal end of the surgical stapler.

19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the plurality of petals or fingers are detachably joined with respect to each other at the distal junction.

20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the proximally-directed mounting member defines either (i) a central channel for receipt of a distally-directed shaft member extending from the surgical stapler, or (ii) a rod-like structure for receipt in a distally-directed channel associated with the surgical stapler.

21. The combination of claim 17, wherein the distal junction and the proximally-directed mounting member associated with the plurality of petals or fingers are adapted to disengage upon application of a requisite proximally-directed force to the elongated body portion.