Surgical stapler

• US 7,308,998 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Alesi, Thomas W. Jr., Wilson, Jon, Geiste, Robert J., Viola, Frank J., Mastri, Dominick L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US11/650,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20070114262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a handle assembly with a pivotable handle;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and having a distal end;

a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the staple cartridge containing a plurality of surgical staples;

an anvil pivotably mounted with respect to the staple cartridge and arranged so that the surgical staples are driven against the anvil;

an actuation sled arranged to translate through the staple cartridge in a distal direction for exerting a driving force to the staples;

a control rod actuated by the pivotable handle for movement in a distal direction and exerting a longitudinal drive force in response to the actuation of the pivotable handle; and

a drive assembly for transmitting the longitudinal drive forces of the control rod to the actuation sled.

2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a toothed rack connected to the control rod and arranged for engagement by a pawl connected to the pivotable handle.

3. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive beam for pushing the actuation sled distally.

4. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the drive beam has proximal fingers for connecting to a distal end of the control rod.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the drive beam has a working end supporting a knife blade.

6. The surgical stapler of claim 5, wherein the drive beam has an abutment surface for engaging the actuation sled, the knife blade traveling behind the actuation sled as the drive beam travels in a distal direction to transmit the longitudinal drive forces of the control rod to the actuation sled.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a loading unit configured for connection to the distal end of the elongated body and having a drive beam with a proximal end configured for connection to the control rod.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly includes a roller for engaging the anvil.

9. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a carrier and wherein the cartridge is supported in the carrier.

10. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes a flange for engaging the carrier.

11. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the carrier has a slot for allowing passage of the drive assembly.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive beam and a flange attached to the drive beam for engaging the carrier.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes a drive beam, the drive beam engaging the carrier and the anvil for closing the anvil and for firing staples.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 9, wherein the anvil is pivotably attached to the carrier at a proximal end of the anvil.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the anvil has a slot for allowing passage of the drive assembly.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the actuation sled has more than two upstanding wedges for exerting the driving force.