Re-loadable surgical stapling instrument

• US 7,735,703 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jerome R., Hess, Christopher J., Weisenburgh, William B. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US11/824,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/180.1, 227/178.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• 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 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/08 : Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/30 : Cooling after the engine is stopped
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2037/02 : starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/04 : Pump-driving arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/10 : Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 : by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 : by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/162 : by cutting in and out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 : characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 : at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/104 : using electric step motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0095 : Synchronisation of the cylinders during engine shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 : for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 : Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 : Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 : Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/002 : controlling air supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/025 : by determining temperatures inside the cylinder, e.g. combustion temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 : for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/065 : at hot start or restart F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3094 : the fuel injection being effected by at least two different injectors, e.g. one in the intake manifold and one in the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 : Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/401 : Controlling injection timing F02D41/402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/402 : Multiple injections
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 : comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/02 : Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 : Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

A surgical stapler including an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end. In one various embodiment, an anvil is situated at the second end of the elongate shaft. In one embodiment, a staple cartridge, configured to removably store at least one staple, is movable relative to the anvil. In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is operably engaged with the staple cartridge through an actuating shaft. In one embodiment, the actuating mechanism is configured to move the staple cartridge relative to the anvil.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler and staple assembly, comprising:

a first staple, said first staple including a first deformable member;

a second staple, said second staple including a second deformable member;

a stapler, including;

an anvil;

a staple cartridge for removably storing said first staple and said second staple; and

a sled movable between a first position and a second position; and

a first rigid driver configured to receive a driving force thereto and drive said first deformable member into tissue, wherein said first rigid driver is overmolded onto said first staple, and wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said first rigid driver to move said first staple toward said anvil when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position; and

a second rigid driver configured to receive a driving force thereto and drive said second deformable member into tissue, wherein said second rigid driver is overmolded onto said second staple, wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said second rigid driver to move said second staple toward said anvil when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position, and wherein said first rigid driver is unconnected to said second rigid driver.

2. A staple cartridge and staple assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge body, comprising;

a first staple cavity defining a first staple deployment axis;

a second staple cavity defining a second staple deployment axis;

a sled movable between a first position and a second position along a deployment path within said staple cartridge body, wherein said deployment path is not parallel to said first axis and not parallel to said second axis, wherein said sled comprises a camming surface which is not parallel to said deployment path; and

a first staple removably stored within said first staple cavity within said staple cartridge body, wherein said first staple comprises;

a first base

a first deformable member extending from said first base; and

a first rigid driver comprising a first cam surface configured to receive a driving force from said camming surface and drive said first deformable member into tissue, wherein said first rigid driver is overmolded onto said first base, and wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said first cam surface of said first rigid driver to eject said first staple from said staple cartridge body along said first staple deployment axis when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position; and

a second staple removably stored within said second staple cavity within said staple cartridge body, wherein said second staple comprises;

a second base;

a second deformable member extending from said second base; and

a second rigid driver comprising a second cam surface configured to receive a driving force thereto and drive said second deformable member into tissue, wherein said second rigid driver is overmolded onto said second base, wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said second cam surface of said second rigid driver to eject said second staple from said staple cartridge body along said second staple deployment axis when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position, and wherein said first rigid driver is unconnected to said second rigid driver.

3. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 2, wherein said first cam surface of said first rigid driver comprises a first angled surface, wherein said camming surface of said sled comprises a second angled surface, and wherein said second angled surface is configured to co-operate with said first angled surface to eject said staple from said first staple cartridge body.

4. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 2, wherein said staple cartridge body further comprises a cartridge surface which is substantially parallel to said deployment path of said sled, and wherein said first staple is configured to be deployed from said staple cartridge body in a direction transverse to said cartridge surface.

5. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 2, wherein said first base and at least a portion of said first deformable member are embedded in said first rigid driver.

6. A staple cartridge and staple assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge body comprising a slot configured to receive a deployment sled and

a first staple removably stored within said staple cartridge body, wherein said first staple comprises;

a first base

a first deformable member extending from said first base; and

a first rigid driver comprising a first cam surface configured to receive a driving force from the deployment sled and drive said first deformable member into tissue, wherein said first rigid driver is molded onto said first base; and

a second staple removably stored within said staple cartridge body, wherein said second staple comprises;

a second base

a second deformable member extending from said second base; and

a second rigid driver comprising a second cam surface configured to receive a driving force from the deployment sled and drive said second deformable member into tissue, wherein said second rigid driver is molded onto said second base, and wherein said first rigid driver is unconnected to said second rigid driver.

7. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 6, further comprising said deployment sled, wherein said deployment sled is configured to directly engage said first cam surface of said first rigid driver to eject said first staple from said staple cartridge body when said sled is moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said first cam surface of said first rigid driver comprises a first angled surface, wherein said deployment sled comprises a second angled surface, and wherein said second angled surface is configured to co-operate with said first angled surface to eject said first staple from said staple cartridge body.

8. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 7, wherein said staple cartridge body further comprises a cartridge surface which is substantially parallel to a direction of travel of said deployment sled, and wherein said first staple is configured to be deployed from said staple cartridge body in a direction transverse to said cartridge surface.

9. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 6, wherein said first base and at least a portion of said first deformable member are embedded in said first rigid driver.

10. A staple cartridge and staple assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge body;

a sled movable between a first position and a second position within said staple cartridge body; and

a first staple removably stored within said staple cartridge body, wherein said first staple comprises;

a first base;

a first deformable member extending from said first base; and

a first rigid driver configured to receive a driving force thereto and drive said first deformable member into tissue, wherein said first rigid driver is attached to said first base, and wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said first rigid driver to eject said first staple from said staple cartridge body when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position; and

a second staple removably stored within said staple cartridge body, wherein said second staple comprises;

a second base;

a second deformable member extending from said second base; and

a second rigid driver configured to receive a driving force thereto and drive said second deformable member into tissue, wherein said second rigid driver is attached to said second base, wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said second rigid driver to eject said second staple from said staple cartridge body when said sled is moved between said first position and said second position, and wherein said first rigid driver is unconnected to said second rigid driver.

11. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 10, wherein said first cam surface of said rigid driver comprises a first angled surface, wherein said sled comprises a second angled surface, and wherein said second angled surface is configured to co-operate with said first angled surface to eject said first staple from said staple cartridge body.

12. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 10, wherein said staple cartridge body further comprises a cartridge surface which is substantially parallel to a direction of travel of said sled, and wherein said first staple is configured to be deployed from said staple cartridge body in a direction transverse to said cartridge surface.

13. The staple cartridge and staple assembly of claim 10, wherein said first base and at least a portion of said first deformable member are embedded in said first rigid driver.