Surgical Instrument Having a Plastic Surface

• US 20120273550A1
• Filed: 07/10/2012
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,770,458 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14344 Moulding in or through a hole in the article, e.g. outsert moulding

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a body portion;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the body portion, the tool assembly including a cartridge assembly, and an anvil assembly pivotally connected to the cartridge assembly such that the tool assembly is repositionable between an open position and a closed position; and

a closure apparatus distally movable through the tool assembly to reposition the tool assembly from the open position to the closed position, the closure apparatus having upper and lower flange portions formed from a first material, and a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, the upper and lower flange portions each including internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion, the closure apparatus further including an insert formed from a second material different than the first material, the insert being positioned within a hole formed in at least one of the upper and lower flange portions and extending between the internal and external surfaces thereof, the insert extending onto at least a portion of the internal surface of at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first material is metallic, and the second material is non-metallic.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the first material is stainless steel.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the second material is plastic.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion each include a hole, the insert being positioned within the hole formed in each of the upper and lower flange portions, and extending onto at least a portion of the internal surfaces of the upper and lower flange portions.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion includes a recess defined in the internal surface thereof, the recess communicating with the hole, the insert being positioned within the recess.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the insert extends along the entire length of the internal surface of at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is secured to a distal end of a flexible drive assembly.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the vertical beam portion of the closure member includes at least one cutout configured and dimensioned to receive the distal end of the flexible drive assembly.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the at least one cutout includes a first cutout on one side of the vertical beam portion, and a second cutout on an opposite side of the vertical beam portion.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the vertical beam portion includes a knife member.

12. A disposable loading unit, comprising:

a drive beam;

a tool assembly disposed distally of the drive beam, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly defining a first metallic contact surface, and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to the anvil assembly defining a second metallic contract surface; and

a closure apparatus disposed adjacent a distal end of the drive beam, the closure apparatus including;

an upper metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the anvil assembly;

a lower metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly, whereby distal movement of the closure apparatus approximates the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly;

a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, wherein the upper and lower flange portions each include internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion; and

at least one insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a hole formed in the upper flange portion or the lower flange portion such that the insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, or between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly, to minimize friction between the tool assembly and the closure apparatus, and thereby facilitate a reduction in firing force.

13. The disposable loading unit according to claim 12, wherein the at least one insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the flange portion to which the at least one insert is associated, the at least one insert extending onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the flange portion to which the at least one insert is associated.

14. The disposable loading unit according to claim 13, wherein the closure apparatus includes a first insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a first hole formed in the upper flange portion such that the first insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, and a second insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a second hole formed in the lower flange portion such that the second insert is positioned between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly.

15. The disposable loading unit according to claim 14, wherein the first insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the upper flange portion, and onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the upper flange portion, and the second insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the lower flange portion, and onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the lower flange portion.

16. A closure apparatus configured and dimensioned for movement through a tool assembly of a surgical fastener applying instrument including an anvil assembly defining a first metallic contact surface, and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to the anvil assembly defining a second metallic contract surface, the closure apparatus including:

an upper metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the anvil assembly;

a lower metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly such that distal movement of the closure apparatus approximates the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly;

a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, wherein the upper and lower flange portions each include internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion; and

at least one insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a hole formed in the upper flange portion or the lower flange portion such that the insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, or between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly, to minimize friction between the tool assembly and the closure apparatus, and thereby facilitate a reduction in firing force.

17. The closure apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the flange portion to which the at least one insert is associated, the at least one insert extending onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the flange portion to which the at least one insert is associated.

18. The closure apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the closure apparatus includes a first insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a first hole formed in the upper flange portion such that the first insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, and a second insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a second hole formed in the lower flange portion such that the second insert is positioned between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly.

19. The closure apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the upper flange portion, and onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the upper flange portion, and the second insert extends between the internal and external surfaces of the lower flange portion, and onto at least a portion of the internal surface of the lower flange portion.

20. The closure apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the closure apparatus defines an I-shaped cross-sectional configuration.