Surgical instrument with replaceable loading unit

• US 7,753,246 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weeks; Gloria R.
• Application Number:
  US11/891,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20080179375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A surgical stapling device has an elongated body and a removable loading unit and a securing structure for securing the loading unit onto the elongated body. A guiding ramp guides the movement of the loading unit as it is mounted onto the loading portion. The locking structure has a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and enabling firing rod to engage the loading unit. The locking unit has a second position for allowing the loading unit to be disengaged and removed from the device.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a loading unit removably mountable with the distal end of the elongated housing and having a tool assembly, the loading unit having at least one lug thereon; and

a handle assembly at the proximal end of the elongated housing;

a locking structure having a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and a second position for allowing movement of the loading unit, the locking structure including a locking shaft that extends through the elongated housing to the handle assembly, the locking shaft having a surface engaging the at least one lug in the first position of the locking structure and disengaging the at least one lug in the second position of the locking structure; and

,

the locking structure includes a button disposed on the handle assembly.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated housing defines at least one guiding channel for engagement with the at least one lug.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further including a rod extending through the elongated housing.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the loading unit includes a drive assembly, the drive assembly being connected to the rod when the loading unit is mounted on the elongated housing.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure engages the rod when the locking structure is in the second position.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the button is distally biased.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the button is moveable between a first position and a second position.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the locking shaft defines a slot for engaging a protrusion on the button.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the locking shaft has a first distally-facing surface, a second distally-facing surface and a longitudinal surface extending therebetween.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the at least one lug is captured between the first distally-facing surface, the second distally-facing surface, the longitudinal surface of the locking shaft, and the elongated housing when the locking structure is in the first position.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein locking shaft and the elongated housing define a space for capturing the at least one lug therebetween.