Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners

• US 5,470,008 A
• Filed: 12/20/1993
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neil D. Gershon
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rodak, Daniel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Application Number:
  US08/170,556
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/176, 227/177, 227/178, 227/180
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes a staple carrying cartridge having an internal lockout mechanism for preventing operation of the apparatus after the staples have been fired from the cartridge. The lockout mechanism is movable between a first position prior to a staple firing operation wherein a firing mechanism is permitted to enter the staple cartridge and a second position upon retraction of the firing mechanism from the staple cartridge following a staple firing operation wherein the firing mechanism is prevented from entering the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a frame having a longitudinal axis and a cartridge receiving portion;

an anvil portion positioned at a distal end of said frame;

a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, a plurality of fastener drivers and a fastener driving plate positioned proximally of said fastener drivers, said cartridge mountable in said cartridge receiving portion;

means for moving said cartridge between a proximal first position and a distal second position closer to said anvil portion;

means for substantially simultaneously firing said fasteners from said cartridge in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said firing means including a firing shaft and said fastener driving plate;

a slidable plate positioned in said cartridge proximally of said fastener drivers and substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said slidable plate being spring biased towards said firing shaft;

an elongated aperture formed in said slidable plate and dimensioned and configured to allow passage of said firing shaft therethrough to fire said fasteners; and

a retaining pin extending from said slidable plate for reception in an opening in said fastener driving plate, said slidable plate being movable from a first position wherein said retaining pin is positioned in said opening to a second position wherein said retaining pin is released from said opening, said slidable plate movable to said second position after distal movement of said firing shaft and said driving plate to fire said fasteners and retraction of said firing shaft, wherein in said second position at least a portion of said elongated aperture of said slidable plate is out of alignment with said firing shaft such that passage of said firing shaft is prevented by said slidable plate.

2. A surgical stapler according to claim 1, further comprising a spring positioned in said cartridge for biasing said slidable plate towards said firing shaft.

3. A surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein said opening is formed in an intermediate portion of said driving plate.