Curved Guide Member for Articulating Instruments

• US 20130186929A1
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Williams, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 8,864,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2947 Pivots

Abstract

A loading unit is provided. The loading unit includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a mounting support pivotally connected to the housing and including a tool assembly operably connected thereto, a curved guide member extending between the housing and the support member, and a drive member extending through the curved guide member for actuating the tool assembly when the mounting support is articulated relative to the housing.

Claims

1. A loading unit comprising:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis;

a mounting support pivotally connected to the housing and including a tool assembly operably connected thereto;

a curved guide member extending between the housing and the support member; and

a drive member extending through the curved guide member for actuating the tool assembly when the mounting support is articulated relative to the housing.

2. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the mounting support is pivotally connected to the housing by a pair of connecting elements.

3. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein a pivot point between the mounting support and the housing is axial off-set from the longitudinal axis.

4. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly.

5. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the drive member includes a substantially flattened member.

6. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the guide member defines a channel for receipt of the drive member.

7. A surgical stapler comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongate body portion extending from the handle assembly;

a housing defining a longitudinal axis and being disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongate body portion;

a mounting support pivotally connected to the housing and including a tool assembly operably connected thereto;

a curved guide member extending between the housing and the mounting support, wherein the curved guide member has a proximal tab that slidably engages the housing; and

a drive member extending through the curved guide member for actuating the tool assembly when the mounting support is articulated relative to the housing.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the mounting support is pivotally connected to the housing by a pair of connecting elements.

9. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein a pivot point between the mounting support and the housing is axial off-set from the longitudinal axis.

10. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly.

11. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the drive member includes a substantially flattened member.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the curved guide member defines a curved channel for receipt of the drive member.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the curved guide member is slidably movable as the mounting support pivots.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein the housing defines a slot for receiving the proximal tab.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 14, wherein the curved guide member has a distal tab that is connected to the mounting support.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the curved guide member has one or more walls defining a slot to receive the drive member.