Surgical instrument
First Claim
1. A system for attaching a longitudinally rotatable cartridge of fasteners to a surgical fastener-applying instrument that includes a frame, said system comprising:
- a holder on said frame fixed relative to said frame against longitudinal rotation, said holder defining an axially open receiving structure having a first engaging member;
a rotatable carrier having a proximal end retained axially in said holder receiving structure to accommodate longitudinal rotation relative to said holder and to accommodate limited axial movement between proximal and distal axial positions relative to said holder, said carrier having a proximally extending second engaging member for engaging said first engaging member to prevent carrier rotation only when said carrier is in said proximal axial position, said carrier having at least one radially projecting lug; and
a housing integral with said cartridge for being received on said carrier, said housing including at least one radially projecting rib adapted to be disposed proximally of said at least one carrier lug whereby axial movement of said housing onto said carrier with said at least one rib angularly offset from said at least one lug urges said carrier to said proximal axial position for preventing rotation thereof while said housing can be rotated relative to said carrier to position at least a portion of said at least one rib proximally of said at least one lug with at least portions of said at least one rib and at least one lug having an axially aligned relationship to prevent axial withdrawal of said housing from said carrier.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A system for attaching a longitudinally rotatable cartridge of fasteners to a surgical fastener-applying instrument that includes a frame, said system comprising:
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a holder on said frame fixed relative to said frame against longitudinal rotation, said holder defining an axially open receiving structure having a first engaging member; a rotatable carrier having a proximal end retained axially in said holder receiving structure to accommodate longitudinal rotation relative to said holder and to accommodate limited axial movement between proximal and distal axial positions relative to said holder, said carrier having a proximally extending second engaging member for engaging said first engaging member to prevent carrier rotation only when said carrier is in said proximal axial position, said carrier having at least one radially projecting lug; and a housing integral with said cartridge for being received on said carrier, said housing including at least one radially projecting rib adapted to be disposed proximally of said at least one carrier lug whereby axial movement of said housing onto said carrier with said at least one rib angularly offset from said at least one lug urges said carrier to said proximal axial position for preventing rotation thereof while said housing can be rotated relative to said carrier to position at least a portion of said at least one rib proximally of said at least one lug with at least portions of said at least one rib and at least one lug having an axially aligned relationship to prevent axial withdrawal of said housing from said carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification