Surgical instrument

• US 5,692,668 A
• Filed: 10/02/1996
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schulze, Dale R., Zeiner, Mark S., Fox, William D., Setser, Michael E., Wales, Kenneth S., Paraschac, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/724,738
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/19, 600/139, 600/142, 600/141
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2913 cams or guiding means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking

Abstract

A surgical instrument for performing endoscopic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the instrument includes a knife that remains unexposed until initiation of a cutting sequence, and returns to an unexposed position at the conclusion of the cutting sequence, minimizing the risk of injury to the person handling the instrument. In another embodiment, the instrument includes a flexible neck for articulating a surgical head assembly with respect to the shaft of the instrument. In another embodiment, a device for locking the articulated head at an angle of articulation is provided. In yet another embodiment, a mechanism for opening and closing an anvil assembly is disclosed.

Claims

1. Means for articulatably mounting a surgical component to a shaft, comprising flexible neck means, said flexible neck means having a predetermined arcuate set, said flexible neck means including an outer sleeve for retaining said surgical component in a substantially linear relationship with respect to said shaft when said sleeve covers said flexible neck means, said flexible neck means assuming its predetermined arcuate set as it is withdrawn with respect to said sleeve, thereby articulating said surgical component with respect to said shaft.

2. The flexible neck means of claim 1, wherein said predetermined arcuate set is achieved by injection molding said flexible neck means in said predetermined arcuate set.

3. The means for articulatably mounting a surgical component of claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve comprises a rigid tube.

4. The means for articulatably mounting a surgical component to a shaft of claim 1, said flexible neck means including at least one channel therethrough for slideably receiving a rigid straightening means for straightening said flexible neck from its predetermined arcuate set to said substantially linear orientation.

5. The means for articulatably mounting a surgical component to a shaft of claim 1, comprising a keyhole slot in said flexible neck means and said shaft has a portion having a cross-sectional shape conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said slot.