Surgical stapling device

• US 7,934,628 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Holsten, Henry E., Marcyzk, Stanislaw, Whifield, Kenneth H., Maffei, Frank C., Wenchell, Thomas, Czernik, Roman
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US12/036,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20080283575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/178.1
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot axis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly. An axial drive assembly is slidably positioned between the support members and is translatable through the cartridge assembly to eject staples from the cartridge assembly. The support members prevent outward buckling of the axial drive assembly during actuation of the device especially when the tool assembly is articulated. Preferably, a protrusion is provided in the proximal body portion of the disposable loading unit at a position to frictionally engage an articulation link. Engagement between the protrusion and the articulation link retains the articulation link at a fixed position within the proximal body portion to maintain the tool assembly in a desired orientation until a predetermined axial force is applied to the articulation link. The disposable loading unit also preferably includes a locking member which is operably connected to the axial drive assembly. The locking member provides an audible and/or tactile indication that the device has been actuated.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly pivotally supported at the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, the anvil assembly being movably mounted in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and closed positions;

a flexible drive assembly having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject the staples therefrom, the flexible drive assembly being bendable relative to the longitudinal axis when the tool assembly pivots in a first direction; and

a first support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on a side of the flexible drive assembly, the first support member having a first end fixedly attached to the tool assembly and a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion, the first support member lengthening when the tool assembly pivots, wherein the first support member includes a U-shaped portion that flexes when the tool assembly pivots and a limit member positioned about the U-shaped portion to limit the extent to which the U-shaped portion can flex.

2. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further comprising a second support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis opposite to the first support member, the second support member lengthening when the tool assembly pivots in the second direction.

3. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped portion extends outwardly with respect to the flexible drive assembly.

4. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first end and the second end of the first support member extends outwardly with respect to the flexible drive assembly.

5. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly pivotally supported at the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, the anvil assembly being movably mounted in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and closed positions;

a flexible drive assembly having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject the staples therefrom, the flexible drive assembly being bendable relative to the longitudinal axis when the tool assembly pivots in a first direction; and

a first support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on a side of the flexible drive assembly, the first support member having a first end fixedly attached to the tool assembly and a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion, the first support member lengthening when the tool assembly pivots, wherein at least one of the first end and the second end includes a J-shaped member.