Anastomosis instrument and method

• US 7,322,994 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Smith, Robert C., Nicholas, David A., Manzo, Scott E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/642,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20040078047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,625 Days
• Field of Search: 6061751-1821, 606/142, 606/143, 606/151, 606/153, 606/154, 2271751-1821
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1152 applying the staples on the outside of the lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections

Abstract

A surgical instrument for performing an anastomosis includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a shaft extending from the distal end of the housing. The instrument also includes an actuator attached to the housing and a disposable loading unit configured for selective attachment to the shaft. The disposable loading unit includes a fastener support member configured and dimensioned to support an array of surgical fasteners thereon and a fastener pusher member which is movable through a firing stroke in response to movement of the actuator to deform the surgical fasteners.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for performing an anastomosis, comprising:

a housing;

an actuator attached to the housing, said actuator including an actuating rod being selectively movable to deform at least one surgical fastener;

a firing safety mechanism including a leaf spring having at least one cut out defined therethrough which engages said housing, said cut out of said leaf spring configured to engage a shoulder portion of said actuator to prevent distal movement of said actuator when disposed in an armed position; and

a safety release being selectively activateable to disarm said leaf spring to allow activation of said actuator.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said safety release includes a camming surface which, upon movement thereof, cams said cut out of said leaf spring out of engagement with said actuator.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said leaf spring includes a hook-like member which secures said leaf spring to said housing.

4. A surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said safety release includes an upwardly extending contact surface which facilitates actuation of said safety release.