Endoscopic surgical stapler with compact profile

• US 5,779,131 A
• Filed: 04/24/1997
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Knodel, Bryan D., Schulze, Dale R., Nalagatla, Anil, Knodel, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/842,253
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members

Abstract

A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.

Claims

1. An endoscopic surgical stapler capable of clamping bodily tissue prior to firing staples to fasten said tissue, said stapler comprising:

an end effector including an anvil and an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge therein, said anvil facing said channel and movable toward and away therefrom;

and a reciprocating closure sleeve from which said end effector extends, said sleeve movable from rearward to forward positions;

wherein said anvil is moveable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to said channel, said first fixed position being a closed position wherein said closure sleeve is in said forward position and said anvil is in intimate contact with said staple cartridge thereby eliminating any clearance therebetween, said second fixed position being an open position wherein said closure sleeve is in said rearward position and said anvil is spaced from said cartridge for inserting said bodily tissue therebetween, said third fixed position being a clamped position wherein said closure sleeve is in said forward position and said anvil is adjacent said cartridge so as to provide a tissue-clamping gap therebetween for clamping said bodily tissue, and said closure sleeve has an unstressed sleeve diameter, wherein when said sleeve is in said forward position and said bodily tissue has been inserted between said anvil and said cartridge thereby positioning said anvil in said third fixed position, said sleeve expands so as to exceed said unstressed sleeve diameter for accommodating said tissue-lamping gap.