FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS

• US 20150297233A1
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Huitema, Thomas W., Setser, Michael E., Hueil, Geoffrey C.
• Granted Patent: US 11,185,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 : during shipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 : Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• 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 2090/306 : using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 : using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1425 : by reconfiguration of node membership

Abstract

A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the fastener cartridge assembly comprises:

a cartridge body including deck with a longitudinal slot and a plurality of fastener cavities formed therein;

at least one fastener removably positioned in each said fastener cavity;

a sled configured to move along said longitudinal slot during a firing stroke, wherein said sled is positioned in a starting position prior to the firing stroke; and

a cover removably positioned over at least a portion of said deck, wherein said cover comprises a locating fin structured and dimensioned to fit within said longitudinal slot, wherein said locating fin comprises a proximal portion positioned adjacent to said sled.

2. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said proximal portion of said locating fin is positioned against said sled prior to the firing stroke.

3. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said sled comprises a distal edge, and wherein said proximal portion of said locating fin comprises a holding surface configured to retainingly engage said distal edge when said sled is in said starting position.

4. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 3, wherein said proximal portion of said locating fin comprises an engagement notch dimensioned to retainingly engage said distal edge of said sled.

5. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said locating fin comprises at least one rib dimensioned to be friction fit within said longitudinal slot.

6. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment arm protruding from said cover for retainingly engaging the cartridge body.

7. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body has a distal end and wherein said cover has a nose portion configured to retainingly engage said distal end.

8. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said distal end of said cartridge body includes a nose surface angularly oriented relative to said deck and wherein said nose portion covers said nose surface when said cover is attached to said cartridge body.

9. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein said nose portion is configured to hookingly engage said distal end of said cartridge body.

10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 9, wherein said nose portion further comprises a distal retention tab configured to hookingly engage said distal end of said cartridge body.

11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body includes a laterally extending lip that protrudes from each lateral side of said cartridge body and wherein said cover further comprises a downwardly extending lateral side plate on each lateral side of said cover, each said lateral side plate being configured to engage a corresponding one of the laterally extending lips on the cartridge body.

12. A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge including a cartridge body with a deck that includes a longitudinal slot and a plurality of fastener cavity openings in the deck wherein surgical fasteners are operably supported therein, the surgical staple cartridge further including a wedge sled selectively movable from a starting position longitudinally through the cartridge body upon application of a firing motion thereto, said cover member comprising:

a top portion configured to be received on the deck;

means for locating the top portion on the deck in a covering position such that the top portion covers all of the fastener openings in the deck;

means for removably fastening the cover member to the cartridge body in the covering position; and

means for retainingly engaging the wedge sled such that the wedge sled is retained in the starting position when the top portion is in the covering position.

13. The cover member of claim 12, wherein the means for locating comprises a locating fin protruding downward from said top portion and located for insertion into the longitudinal slot in the cartridge body.

14. The cover member of claim 13, wherein said means for retainingly engaging comprises an engagement notch in a proximal end of said locating fin, the engagement notch configured to retainingly engage the wedge sled when the locating fin is seated within the longitudinal slot.

15. The cover member of claim 12, wherein said means for removably fastening comprises a pair of attachment arms protruding from said top portion for releasably engaging corresponding sides of the cartridge body.

16. The cover member of claim 15, wherein said means for retaining further comprises a retention tab on a distal end of the cover for hookingly engaging a distal end of the cartridge body.

17. The cover member of claim 13, wherein the means for removably fastening comprises a frictional fit between the locating fin and portions of the cartridge body defining the longitudinal slot.

18. The cover member of claim 17, further comprising at least one rib on said locating fin configured to frictionally engage said cartridge body.

19. The cover member of claim 12, wherein the deck includes a pair of laterally extending lips and wherein said means for locating comprises a pair of lateral side plates formed on the cover for locatingly engaging the laterally extending lips when the top portion is in the covering position.

20. A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge including a cartridge body with a deck that includes a longitudinal slot and a plurality of fastener cavity openings in the deck wherein surgical fasteners are operably supported therein, the surgical staple cartridge further including a wedge sled selectively movable from a starting position longitudinally through the cartridge body upon application of a firing motion thereto, said cover member comprising:

a top portion configured to be received on the deck;

a downwardly extending locating fin protruding from the top portion and configured to be received within the longitudinal slot, and wherein a proximal portion of the of locating fin is configured to retainingly engage the wedge sled when the wedge sled is in the starting position and the cover member is attached to the cartridge body;

a hook portion formed on the cover member to hookingly engage a distal end of the cartridge body; and

a pair of flexible attachment arms on said cover member for removably engaging the cartridge body.