Apparatus for applying two-part surgical fasteners in laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures

• US 5,423,471 A
• Filed: 03/08/1993
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Stern, Leonard, Mastri, Dominick L., Kolesa, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Application Number:
  US08/027,865
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/176, 227/177, 227/178, 227/180, 227/181
• US Class Current: 227/181.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for applying two-part surgical fasteners during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The apparatus includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion which extends from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly pivotally associated with a distal end of the endoscopic portion for applying a two-part surgical fastener. A mechanism is provided for effectuating articulated pivotal movement of the fastener applying tool assembly within an angular sector of rotation to increase the operational range of the instrument.

Claims

1. Apparatus for endoscopic application of two-part surgical fasteners each having a fastener portion and a retainer portion, which comprises:

a) a handle assembly;

b) an endoscopic portion extending from said handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) means for supporting the fastener portions of a plurality of two-part surgical fasteners in a longitudinal orientation, said means pivotally associated with a distal end portion of said endoscopic portion;

d) means for supporting the retainer portions of a plurality of two-part surgical fastener in a position relative to said fastener portions; and

e) means for resiliently biasing the plurality of fastener portions and the plurality of retainer portions in a longitudinal direction;

f) first cable driven means for approximating said retainer portion supporting means and said fastener portion supporting means;

g) second cable driven means for effectuating individual application of said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners by driving a fastener portion and a retainer portion into engagement with one another;

h) means for pivoting said fastener applying assembly relative to said longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion within an angular sector of rotation; and

i) means for rotating said endoscopic portion about said longitudinal axis relative to said handle assembly.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said pivoting means is operable remote from said fastener applying assembly.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for remotely effectuating pivotal movement of said fastener applying assembly comprises third cable means including a looped articulation cable having a leading portion and a trailing portion, said leading portion associated with said fastener applying assembly and said trailing portion associated with means for reciprocatingly moving said looped articulation cable.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for reciprocatingly moving said looped articulation cable comprises an axial drive screw assembly configured for effectuating progressive pivotal movement of said fastener applying assembly.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle assembly includes a first pivoting actuation handle for effectuating movement of said first cable means and a second pivoting actuation handle for effectuating movement of said second cable means.

6. Apparatus for endoscopic application of a plurality of two-part surgical fasteners, each of said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners having a fastener portion and a retainer portion, which comprises:

a) a handle assembly;

b) an endoscopic portion extending from said handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) means for effectuating individual advancement of said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners toward a distal end of said endoscopic portion;

d) tool means associated with a distal end portion of said endoscopic portion for effectuating individual application of said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners; and

e) means associated with said handle assembly for effectuating movement of said tool means relative to said longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion within an angular sector of rotation.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners are formed of a bioabsorbable material.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said tool means comprises means for supporting a plurality of fastener portions of said two-part surgical fasteners and means for supporting a plurality of retainer portions of said two-part surgical fasteners in a position relative to said plurality of retainer portions.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for effectuating movement of said tool means comprises a looped articulation cable defining a leading portion and a trailing portion, said leading portion associated with said tool means and said trailing portion associated with a means for moving said articulation cable.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for remotely moving said articulation cable comprises an axial drive screw assembly configured for effectuating progressive pivotal movement of said tool means.

11. Apparatus for endoscopic application of a plurality of two-part surgical fasteners each having a fastener portion and a retainer portion, which comprises:

a) a handle assembly including a barrel portion, a first actuation handle, and a second actuation handle;

b) an endoscopic portion extending from said barrel portion and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a fastener supporting assembly operatively associated with a distal end portion of said endoscopic portion and including;

i) means for supporting a plurality of fastener portions; and

ii) means for supporting a plurality of retainer portions in positions relative to said fastener portions; and

d) means extending from said handle assembly to said fastener supporting assembly for actuating said fastener supporting assembly such that movement of said first actuation handle effectuates approximation of said fastener portion supporting means and said retainer portion supporting means, and movement of said second actuation handle effectuates individual application of said plurality of two-part surgical fasteners by driving of one of said plurality of fastener portions and one of said plurality of retainer portions into engagement with one another in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said means associated with said handle assembly and said fastener applying assembly comprises an approximation cable extending from said first actuation handle, through said endoscopic portion, to said fastener applying assembly.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said means associated with said handle assembly and said fastener applying assembly comprises a driving cable extending from said second actuation handle through said endoscopic portion, to said fastener applying assembly.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising means for moving said fastener applying assembly relative to said endoscopic portion within an angular sector of rotation.