Tool assembly for a surgical stapling device

• US 7,690,547 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Lee Ann, Beardsley, John W., Emmons, Clifford L., Racenet, David C., Roy, Philip, Stearns, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lopez; Michelle
• Application Number:
  US12/128,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 227/180.1, 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/181.1, 227/176.1
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• 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 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling device,

comprising:

a handle assembly;

an endoscopic body portion defining a longitudinal axis; and

a tool assembly having an anvil, a staple cartridge assembly including a cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples, and a dynamic clamping member,

the dynamic clamping member having an upper flange for engaging the anvil and a lower flange for engaging a surface of the cartridge assembly,

the anvil and cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions,

the dynamic clamping member being movable to effect ejection of the staples from the cartridge, and

at least one of the upper flange and lower flange having an inner surface, the inner surface being arcuate in shape along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

2. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anvil has a recess and the upper flange is received in the recess.

3. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly has a recess and the lower flange is received in the recess.

4. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible member attached to the dynamic clamping member for moving the dynamic clamping member distally.

5. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a sheath positioned about the flexible member to prevent buckling.

6. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flexible member comprises a rod slidably positioned within the sheath.

7. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a sled for ejecting the staples from the cartridge, the sled being moved distally by the movement of the dynamic clamping member.

8. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 7, wherein the dynamic clamping member engages the anvil and cartridge assembly to maintain a desired tissue gap in the area of the tool assembly adjacent the sled during ejection of the staples.

9. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 8, wherein the anvil is formed as a solid, one-piece member.

10. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly is pivotably attached to the anvil.

11. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a cam surface, the lower flange engaging the cam surface.

12. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a clamp ring positioned around a proximal end of the anvil and a proximal end of the cartridge assembly.

13. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 12, further comprising a flexible member attached to the dynamic clamping member for moving the dynamic clamping member distally, and a sheath positioned about the flexible member, the sheath being connected to the clamp ring.

14. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper flange has a first inner surface and the lower flange has a second inner surface, the first inner surface and the second inner surface being arranged to face each other.

15. The surgical tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper flange has a first inner surface that faces the anvil and the lower flange has a second inner surface that faces the cartridge assembly.