Tactile indicator for surgical instrument

• US 5,685,474 A
• Filed: 10/04/1994
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Seeber, Lynn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, III, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STELACONE, JAY
• Application Number:
  US08/324,186
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/177.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 227/181.1, 227/182.1, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/179.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A surgical instrument having a tactile and audible firing indicator is disclosed. The instrument has preferred features which include a tactile and audible indicator disposed in the handle housing for indicating to a user when the instrument has been properly and completely actuated.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, which comprises:

a housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

an elongated shaft extending from the housing distal end portion, the shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

a tool mechanism operatively positioned at the elongated shaft distal end portion and operable between a first position and a second position;

an actuation mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and operatively associated with the tool mechanism, the actuation mechanism being operable between a first position and a second position which defines substantially the full range of movement of the actuation mechanism, to provide corresponding movement of the tool mechanism between the first and second positions, respectively, thereof; and

an indicator mechanism including a frangible member disposed in the housing and operatively associated with the actuation mechanism, the frangible member providing an audible and tactile indication upon substantially complete movement of the actuation mechanism from the first position to the second position.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is adapted to apply at least one staple.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the frangible member is removably mounted on the housing.

4. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the frangible member is a pin.

5. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the frangible member is aluminum.

6. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the indicator mechanism further includes a guide member having a longitudinal slot formed therein, the frangible member being transversely mounted in the guide member.

7. A surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a block member slidably mounted within the housing, the block member having an extended portion formed thereon configured and dimensioned to slide within the guide member longitudinal slot.

8. A surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the frangible member is broken upon distal movement of the block member by a predetermined distance.

9. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the indicator mechanism is removably mounted on the housing.

10. A surgical instrument for applying at least one circular array of fasteners, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

an elongated shaft extending from the housing distal end portion, the shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

a fastener carrying cartridge operatively positioned at the elongated shaft distal end portion;

an anvil member operatively disposed adjacent the fastener carrying cartridge;

an actuation mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and operatively associated with the fastener carrying cartridge to deploy surgical fasteners therefrom;

an indicator mechanism including a frangible member disposed in the housing, spaced from the fastener carrying cartridge and operatively associated with the actuation mechanism, the frangible member positioned to provide an audible and tactile indication upon substantially complete deployment of the surgical fasteners from the fastener carrying cartridge.

11. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the frangible member is a pin.

12. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the indicator mechanism further includes a guide member having a longitudinal slot formed therein, the frangible member being transversely mounted in the guide member.

13. A surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a block member slidably mounted within the housing, the block member having an extended portion formed thereon configured and dimensioned to slide within the guide member longitudinal slot.

14. A surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein the frangible member is broken upon distal movement of the block member a predetermined distance.

15. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the indicator mechanism is removably mounted on the housing.

16. A circular anastomosis surgical stapling instrument for applying at least one circular array of staples, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

an elongated shaft extending from the housing distal end portion, the shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

a staple cartridge operatively positioned at the elongated shaft distal end portion;

an anvil member operatively disposed adjacent the staple cartridge;

an actuation mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and operatively associated with the staple cartridge to eject surgical staples therefrom;

an indicator mechanism including a frangible member disposed in the housing and operatively associated with the actuation mechanism, the frangible member providing audible and tactile indications upon substantially complete ejection of the surgical staples.

17. A surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the frangible member is a pin.

18. A surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the indicator mechanism further includes a guide member having a longitudinal slot formed therein, the frangible member being transversely mounted in the guide member.

19. A surgical instrument according to claim 18, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a block member slidably mounted within the housing, the block member having an extended portion formed thereon configured and dimensioned to slide within the guide member longitudinal slot.

20. A surgical instrument according to claim 19, the frangible member is broken upon distal movement of the block member by a predetermined distance.