SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND LOADING UNIT FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 20140183242A1
• Filed: 01/17/2014
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Farascioni, David, Kasvikis, Dino, Scirica, Paul A., Racenet, Danyel, Robbins, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,724,093 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 17/072 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a drive assembly, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members, a dynamic clamping member, and a tissue stop. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a movable handle of the handle assembly. The endoscopic portion defines a first longitudinal axis. The jaw members are each longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The dynamic clamping member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal portion of the drive assembly and includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical beam having a cutting edge on a distal portion thereof. At least a portion of the dynamic clamping member is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue stop is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and configured to impede tissue from distally escaping the jaw members.

Claims

1-50. -50. (canceled)

51. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an endoscopic portion defining a first longitudinal axis; and

a tool assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the tool assembly having a pair of jaw members and a drive assembly disposed for movement with respect to the jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other of the jaw members between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, the drive assembly including a clamping member having a first beam, a second beam, and a third beam disposed between the first beam and the second beam, a cross-sectional shape of the first beam taken along a second axis being different from a cross-sectional shape of the second beam taken along a third axis, each of the second axis and the third axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, and the second axis being parallel to the third axis.

52. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first beam is longitudinally aligned with the cross-sectional shape of the second beam.

53. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein at least one of the first beam and the second beam includes a plastic material.

54. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the drive assembly includes a flexible drive beam.

55. The surgical instrument according to claim 54, wherein the clamping member is integrally formed with and attached to the drive beam at a distal end thereof.

56. The surgical instrument according to claim 54, wherein the drive beam includes a plurality of sheets.

57. The surgical instrument according to claim 56, wherein the drive beam includes an engagement section fastened to one of the sheets.

58. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the third beam of the clamping member includes a knife.

59. The surgical instrument of claim 51, wherein each of the jaw members is curved with respect to the first longitudinal axis.

60. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the tool assembly includes a tissue stop disposed adjacent a distal end of at least one of the jaw members.

61. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein one of the pair of jaw members is a cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples.

62. The surgical instrument according to claim 61, wherein the other of the pair of jaw members is an anvil assembly.

63. The surgical instrument according to claim 62, wherein the drive assembly can be engaged in the jaw members in only one orientation of the drive assembly.

64. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the tool assembly is part of a loading unit that can be removably attached to the endoscopic portion.

65. The surgical instrument according to claim 51, wherein the first beam includes a width along the second axis, wherein the second beam includes a width along the third axis, and wherein the width of the first beam is smaller than the width of the second beam.

66. A loading unit configured for releasable engagement with a surgical instrument, the loading unit comprising:

a body portion defining a first longitudinal axis, a proximal portion of the body portion configured for releasable engagement with an endoscopic portion of a surgical instrument;

a tool assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the body portion, the tool assembly having a pair of jaw members and a drive assembly disposed for movement with respect to the jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, the drive assembly including a clamping member having a first beam, a second beam, and a third beam disposed between the first beam and the second beam, a cross-sectional shape of the first beam taken along a second axis being different from a cross-sectional shape of the second beam taken along a third axis, each of the second axis and the third axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, and the second axis being parallel to the third axis.

67. The loading unit of claim 66, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first beam is longitudinally aligned with the cross-sectional shape of the second beam.

68. The loading unit of claim 66, wherein each of the jaw members is curved with respect to the first longitudinal axis.

69. The loading unit of claim 68, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive beam having a plurality of sheets.

70. The loading unit of claim 66, wherein the first beam includes a width along the second axis, wherein the second beam includes a width along the third axis, and wherein the width of the first beam is smaller than the width of the second beam.