Surgical stapling device

• US 7,159,750 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Lee Ann, Beardsley, John W., Racenet, David C., Roy, Philip, Stearns, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity; Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DURAND, PAUL R
• Application Number:
  US10/871,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20050006432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/177.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 227/19, 606/130
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• 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 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms

Abstract

A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a Simple Use Loading Unit (“SULU”) [SULU]. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a handle portion having a stationary handle and a movable trigger;

a central body portion defining a first longitudinal axis which extends from a proximal end of the central body portion through a distal end of the central body portion, the central body portion extending distally from the handle portion, the central body portion including an operating link operably connected to the movable trigger; and

a disposable loading unit removably secured to the distal end of the central body portion, the disposable loading unit including a tool assembly having a movable drive member for effecting operation of the tool assembly, a non-rigid link, and a substantially rigid link, the non-rigid link interconnecting the substantially rigid link to the movable drive member, wherein the substantially rigid link includes engagement structure for releasably engaging the operating link of the central body portion, and wherein the non-rigid link is selected from the group consisting of cables, ropes, cords and wires.

2. A surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions.

3. A surgical device according to claim 2, wherein the staples of the cartridge assembly are aligned in a plurality of linear rows.

4. A surgical device comprising:

a handle portion having a stationary handle and a movable trigger;

a central body portion defining a first longitudinal axis and extending distally from the handle portion, the central body portion including an operating link operably connected to the movable trigger;

a disposable loading unit removably secured to the distal end of the central body portion, the disposable loading unit including a tool assembly having a movable drive member for effecting operation of the tool assembly, a non-rigid link, and a substantially rigid link, the non-rigid link interconnecting the substantially rigid link to the movable drive member, wherein the substantially rigid link includes engagement structure for releasably engaging the operating link of the central body portion, wherein the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein and aligned in a plurality of linear rows and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions; and

an actuation sled positioned adjacent to the movable drive member wherein the movable drive member includes a knife blade, the non-rigid link being operatively engaged with the movable drive member such that actuation of the movable trigger effects movement of the operating link, the substantially rigid link and the non-rigid link to effect translation of the drive member and of the actuation sled through at least a portion of the tool assembly.

5. A surgical device according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a distal end and a guide positioned at or near the distal end, the non-rigid link having a first end connected to the substantially rigid link, a central portion which extends through the cartridge assembly around a portion of the guide, and a second end operably engaged to the drive member, wherein proximal movement of the non-rigid link effects distal movement of the drive member and the actuation sled through at least a portion of the tool assembly.

6. A surgical device comprising:

a handle portion having a stationary handle and a movable trigger;

a central body portion defining a first longitudinal axis and extending distally from the handle portion, the central body portion including an operating link operably connected to the movable trigger; and

a disposable loading unit removably secured to the distal end of the central body portion, the disposable loading unit including a tool assembly having a movable drive member for effecting operation of the tool assembly, a non-rigid link, and a substantially rigid link, the non-rigid link interconnecting the substantially rigid link to the movable drive member, wherein the substantially rigid link includes engagement structure for releasably engaging the operating link of the central body portion;

the disposable loading unit further including a proximal body portion and an intermediate pivot member, the proximal body portion being removably secured to the central body portion of the surgical device, wherein the intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis.

7. A surgical device according to claim 6, further including an articulation actuator supported adjacent the handle portion, the articulation actuator being movable to pivot the tool assembly about the first and second pivot axes.

8. A surgical device according to claim 7, wherein the articulation actuator is supported on a base member having substantially semi-spherical outer surface, wherein the articulation actuator is supported for generally omni-directional movement about the base member.

9. A surgical device according to claim 8, wherein the central body portion includes four articulation links, each articulation link having a first end connected to the articulation actuator by a non-rigid link and a second end adapted to releasably engage a corresponding articulation link supported in the disposable loading unit.

10. A surgical device according to claim 6, wherein the central body portion is rotatable in relation to the handle portion.