Staple Drive Assembly

• US 20130087602A1
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Lee Ann, Stearns, Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• 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 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder

Abstract

A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.

Claims

1. A staple drive assembly comprising:

a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, the cartridge defining retention slots, each retention slot configured to releasably receive a staple;

at least one staple pusher configured to interact with the staple, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and at least one cam member interposed between adjacent pusher plates, the at least one cam member having an engagement surface; and

an actuation sled disposed in the cartridge, the actuation sled including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including at least one drive face,

wherein the actuation sled translates from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge such that the at least one drive face engages the at least one engagement surface to urge the at least one staple pusher in a generally vertical direction.

2. The staple drive assembly of claim 1, wherein each cam wedge of the actuation sled includes at least first and second drive faces defining first and second drive angles.

3. The staple drive assembly of claim 2, wherein the stapler pusher includes three pusher plates and first and second cam members interposed therebetween, each cam member having first and second engagement surfaces.

4. The staple drive assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuation sled translates distally such that first drive faces of the actuation sled slidably engages the first engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members to urge staple pusher from a first position in a generally vertical direction.

5. The staple drive assembly of claim 4, wherein continued distal movement of the actuation sled urges the stapler pusher to an intermediate position, such that second drive faces of the actuation sled engages second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members, while first drive faces substantially and simultaneously disengage from respective first engagement surfaces.

6. The staple drive assembly of claim 5, wherein continued distal movement of actuation sled continues to urge the staple pusher vertically to a second position prior to the disengagement between second drive faces of the actuation sled and respective second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members, such that each pusher plate is received into the respective retention slot.

7. The staple drive assembly of claim 6, wherein each cam member includes first and second engagement surfaces defining respective first and second receiving angles that are complementary to the respective first and second drive angles to maximize translation of longitudinal motion of the actuation sled to vertical motion of the staple pusher.

8. A staple drive assembly comprising:

a cartridge;

at least one staple pusher, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and at least one cam member interposed between adjacent pusher plates; and

an actuation sled including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, wherein the actuation sled translates distally within the cartridge such that the actuation sled engages the at least one cam member of the staple pusher to urge the at least one staple pusher in a generally vertical direction.

9. The staple drive assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one cam member has an engagement surface.

10. The staple drive assembly of claim 9, wherein each cam wedge includes at least one drive face.

11. The staple drive assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one drive face engages the at least one engagement surface to urge the at least one staple pusher in a generally vertical direction.

12. The staple drive assembly of claim 10, wherein each cam wedge of the actuation sled includes at least first and second drive faces defining first and second drive angles.

13. The staple drive assembly of claim 12, wherein the stapler pusher includes three pusher plates and first and second cam members interposed therebetween, each cam member having first and second engagement surfaces.

14. The staple drive assembly of claim 13, wherein the actuation sled translates distally such that first drive faces of the actuation sled slidably engages the first engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members to urge staple pusher from a first position in a generally vertical direction.

15. The staple drive assembly of claim 14, wherein continued distal movement of the actuation sled urges stapler pusher to an intermediate position, such that second drive faces of the actuation sled engages second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members, while first drive faces substantially and simultaneously disengage from respective first engagement surfaces.

16. The staple drive assembly of claim 15, wherein continued distal movement of actuation sled continues to urge staple pusher vertically to a second position prior to the disengagement between second drive faces of the actuation sled and respective second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members, such that each pusher plate is received into the respective retention slot.

17. The staple drive assembly of claim 16, wherein each cam member includes first and second engagement surfaces defining respective first and second receiving angles that are complementary to the respective first and second drive angles to maximize translation of longitudinal motion of the actuation sled to vertical motion of the staple pusher.

18. A method of driving a staple, the method comprising:

providing a staple drive assembly comprising;

a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, the cartridge defining retention slots, each retention slot configured to releasably receive a staple;

at least one staple pusher configured to interact with the retaining staples; and

an actuation sled disposed in the cartridge including at least one camming member, the at least one camming member including spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including at least first and second drive faces defining first and second drive angles;

translating the actuation sled from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge;

urging the stapler pusher from a first position in a generally vertical direction by slideable engagement between the first drive faces of the actuation sled and the first engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members;

driving the stapler pusher to an intermediate position by continued distal translation of the actuation sled, such that second drive faces of the actuation sled engages second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members, while first drive faces substantially and simultaneously disengage from respective first engagement surfaces; and

transitioning the stapler pusher into a second position prior to the disengagement between second drive faces of the actuation sled and respective second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members by continued distal translation of the actuation sled, such that pusher plate is received into the respective retention slot and engages the backspan of a staple.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first and second cam wedges are longitudinally spaced apart.