Surgical Stapling Apparatus

• US 20120193396A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zemlok, Michael A., Ross, Adam J., Pribanic, Russell, Williams, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,276,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/177.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00853 low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating (ptf, ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a housing having an actuator;

an elongated member extending from the housing;

an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses;

the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable;

a biasing member for each of the first segment and the second segment; and

a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a component for determining when the pressure is above a threshold value.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a motor operatively connected to an actuator.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the motor is in the housing.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a power source in the housing and operatively connected to the motor.

6. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the component is programmed to stop the motor.

7. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the staple forming recesses and the staple receiving slots define linear rows.

8. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the linear rows extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

9. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the staple forming recesses and the staple receiving slots define an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the end effector.

10. An end effector for selective connection to a surgical apparatus, the end effector comprising:

a first jaw;

a staple cartridge supported on the first jaw, the staple cartridge defining a tissue contacting surface, wherein the staple cartridge is divided into a plurality of independent, separately movable segments, and at least one staple retaining slot is defined in each segment;

a second jaw connected to the first jaw, the second jaw supporting an anvil, the anvil defining a plurality of staple forming recesses arranged in juxtaposed correspondence with the plurality of staple retaining slots of the staple cartridge; and

a pressure sensing element interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein each pressure sensing element senses a force exerted on each respective staple cartridge segment.

11. The end effector according to claim 10, further comprising a biasing member interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein the biasing members maintain each staple cartridge segment spaced a distance from the first jaw.

12. The end effector according to claim 11, wherein the staple cartridge defines at least two parallel rows of staple retaining slots, and wherein at least one substantially adjacent staple retaining slot from each row of staple retaining slots is provided in each staple cartridge segment.

13. The end effector according to claim 11, wherein the biasing members compress upon exertion of a force on the tissue contacting surface of any of the staple cartridge segments.

14. An electro-surgical stapling system, comprising:

a powered surgical apparatus including;

a handle portion configured and adapted to releasably connect a surgical stapling end effector thereto, the handle portion including an actuator for connection to the end effector and for driving the end effector, a motor for driving the actuator, a power source for powering the motor, and a controller for controlling at least one of the power source and the motor;

an end effector configured for selective connection to the handle portion of the powered surgical apparatus, the end effector including;

a first jaw;

a staple cartridge supported on the first jaw, the staple cartridge defining a tissue contacting surface, wherein the staple cartridge is divided into a plurality of independent, separately movable segments, and at least one staple retaining slot is defined in each segment;

a second jaw connected to the first jaw, the second jaw supporting an anvil, the anvil defining a plurality of staple forming recesses arranged in juxtaposed correspondence with the plurality of staple retaining slots of the staple cartridge; and

a pressure sensing element interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein each pressure sensing element senses a force exerted on each respective staple cartridge segment,

wherein each pressure sensing element is in electrical communication with the controller, and

wherein the controller stops at least one of approximation of the first jaw and the second jaw, and firing of the powered surgical apparatus when a force exerted on at least one of the staple cartridge segments and sensed by the respective pressure sensing elements exceeds a predetermined threshold force.

15. The electro-surgical stapling system according to claim 14, wherein the end effector further comprises a biasing member interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein the biasing members maintain each staple cartridge segment spaced a distance from the first jaw.

16. The electro-surgical stapling system according to claim 15, wherein the staple cartridge of the end effector defines at least two parallel rows of staple retaining slots, and wherein at least one substantially adjacent staple retaining slot from each row of staple retaining slots is provided in each staple cartridge segment.

17. The electro-surgical stapling system according to claim 15, wherein the biasing members of the end effector compress upon exertion of a force on the tissue contacting surface of any of the staple cartridge segments.

18. The electro-surgical stapling system according to claim 14, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw of the end effector are configured for parallel approximation.