Surgical stapling device
First Claim
1. A disposable loading unit comprising:
- a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions;
a proximal body portion configured to releasably engage a surgical instrument; and
an intermediate pivot member pivotally secured to the tool assembly about a first pivot axis and pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a single use loading unit, or “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.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A disposable loading unit comprising:
-
a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions; a proximal body portion configured to releasably engage a surgical instrument; and an intermediate pivot member pivotally secured to the tool assembly about a first pivot axis and pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A disposable loading unit comprising:
-
a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions; a proximal body portion including a plurality of substantially rigid articulation links, the substantially rigid articulation links being operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid articulation links; and an intermediate pivot member pivotally secured to the tool assembly about a first pivot axis and pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis, wherein the substantially rigid articulation links each include proximal engagement structure for releasably engaging a surgical stapling instrument. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A disposable loading unit comprising:
-
a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions; a proximal body portion; an intermediate pivot member pivotally secured to the tool assembly about a first pivot axis and pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being substantially orthogonal to the second pivot axis; and a substantially rigid firing link movably supported in the proximal body portion, the substantially rigid firing link being operably connected to a drive member by a non-rigid firing link, wherein the non-rigid firing link has a first end connected to the substantially rigid firing link, a central portion extending through the tool assembly and about a guide supported in the distal end of the tool assembly and a second end operably engaged with the drive member, wherein proximal movement of the substantially rigid firing link within the proximal body portion effects distal advancement of the drive member within the tool assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification