Safety device for a surgical stapler cartridge

• US 5,445,304 A
• Filed: 07/05/1994
• Issued: 08/29/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

Abstract

The present invention provides a staple cartridge assembly adapted for use in a surgical stapler having a cartridge retention portion and an anvil portion which are movable between a closed position and an open position. The cartridge assembly comprises (1) a firing assembly for firing staples which is movable between a pre-fired and a fired position, (2) a safety member, (3) means mounting the safety member on the cartridge assembly for movement between a free-movement position which affords movement of the cartridge retention portion and the anvil portion between the open and closed position and a blocking position which prevents the cartridge retention portion and the anvil portion from being moved to the closed position, and (4) means for releasably retaining the safety member in the free-movement position and for releasing the safety member to afford movement of the safety member toward the blocking position when the firing assembly is moved from the pre-fired to the fired position such that upon movement of the cartridge retention portion and anvil portion to the open position, the safety member prevents the cartridge portion and the anvil portion from thereafter being moved to the closed position while the stapler is loaded with the spent cartridge.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly adapted for use in a surgical stapler having first and second structural members each being elongate in a first direction, said first structural member having a handle part having first and second ends, said second structural member having a base portion having first and second ends, and each of said first and second structural members having a jaw part projecting from their first ends, said jaw parts having proximal ends adjacent the first ends of said structural members and distal ends spaced from said proximal ends,

said handle part and said base portion having pivot means at said second ends adapted for free engagement and disengagement for affording, when engaged, relative pivotal movement of said structural members in said plane between a closed position with said jaw parts in closely spaced relationship, and an open position with said jaw parts spaced farther from each other than in said closed position, said handle part of said first structural member and said base portion of said second structural member in said closed position defining a space between said structural members when said structural members are in said closed position;

an elongate locking member having first and second ends, a locking member handle part and a pivot point closely adjacent the first end of the locking member, the pivot point of said locking member being mounted on said second structural member adjacent the first end of said second structural member for pivotal movement of said locking member between a locking position generally aligned with the base portion of said second structural member, and a release position with the second end of said locking member spaced from the second end of said second structural member, said first end of said locking member and said first end of said first structural member having surfaces adapted, when said pivot means are engaged with said first and second structural members in said open position, for engagement during movement of said locking member from said release position to said locking position to forcefully move said structural members to said closed position,

and means adapted for releasable engagement between said elongate locking member and said second structural member for holding said locking member in said locking position;

said first structural member being adapted to receive said staple cartridge assembly and said jaw part of said second structural member being adapted to receive an anvil;

said second structural member having a safety stop surface adjacent the proximal end of its jaw part;

wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises;

a cartridge housing for enclosing a plurality of staples,

a pusher for sequentially pressing said plurality of staples within said cartridge housing against said anvil to engage and close the plurality of staples in tissues between said jaw parts when said structural members are in said closed position, said pusher being movable in said first direction between a retracted position with said plurality of staples enclosed within said cartridge housing and an extended position with said plurality of staples closed within tissue,

manually actuatable means within said space between said handle part of said first structural member and said base portion of said second structural member for moving said pusher from said retracted to said extended position, and

a safety arm having first and second ends, said safety arm having a base portion adjacent said first end and an abutment surface adjacent said second end adapted to abut said safety stop surface,

pivotal mounting means for mounting said first end of said safety arm on said cartridge housing for pivotal movement of said safety arm between a pre-fired position for affording movement of said structural members between sai