Surgical stapling apparatus

• US 6,669,073 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2001
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Milliman, Keith L., Viola, Frank J., Lehn, Randolph F., Orban, Joseph III
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US10/014,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20020117533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/175.2, 227/175.3, 227/19, 227/181.1
• US Class Current: 227/175.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• 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 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0806 Instrument detectors with a removable part, e.g. working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus

Abstract

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly including a handle member which is movable through an actuation stroke;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, the elongated body having a distal end adapted to releasably engage a tool assembly;

a control rod extending through the elongated body, the control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle member, the control rod being movable in response to movement of the handle member through the actuation stroke; and

a control rod locking mechanism supported on the elongated body, the control rod locking mechanism including an engagement member positioned to operatively engage a tool assembly during attachment of the tool assembly onto the distal end of the elongated body portion to prevent distal movement of the control rod until the tool assembly is lockingly engaged to the elongated body.

2. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control rod includes a recess and the engagement member is movable between a first position located within the recess and a second position located externally of the recess.

3. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 2, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the engagement member to the first position.

4. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the engagement member includes a circular head portion, the circular head portion being urged into the control rod recess by the biasing member, wherein distal movement of the control rod acts to cam the engagement member from the first position to the second position to move the circular head portion from the control rod recess.

5. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control rod locking mechanism further includes a blocking plate, the blocking plate being movable from a position spaced from the engagement member to a position obstructing movement of the engagement member from the first position to the second position.

6. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 5, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the blocking plate to the position spaced from the engagement member.

7. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the blocking plate is positioned to engage a tool assembly during attachment of the tool assembly to the elongated body, such engagement effecting movement of the blocking plate from the position spaced from the engagement member to the position obstructing movement of the engagement member.

8. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the blocking plate includes a finger extension, the finger extension being positioned to engage a tool assembly during attachment of the tool assembly to the elongated body.