Surgical stapling device

• US 8,281,973 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas, Marczyk, Stanislaw, Whitfield, Kenneth H., Czernik, Roman, Holsten, Henry E., Maffei, Frank C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US10/490,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,658 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/178.1, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/179.1, 606/142, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/178.1
• 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 with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 few sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose surgical stapling 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.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly being relatively movable between open and closed positions, the tool assembly being supported for articulation about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and being movable from a first position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion;

an articulation member positioned within the elongated body portion and operatively engaging the tool assembly and being movable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions; and

a retaining member positioned to releasably engage the articulation member, the retaining member preventing movement of the articulation member until a predetermined force is applied to the articulation member;

wherein the retaining member includes a ball which is urged into contact with the articulation member by a biasing member.

2. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly being relatively movable between open and closed positions, the tool assembly being supported for articulation about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and being movable from a first position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion;

an articulation member positioned within the elongated body portion and operatively engaging the tool assembly and being movable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions; and

a retaining member positioned to releasably engage the articulation member, the retaining member preventing movement of the articulation member until a predetermined force is applied to the articulation member;

wherein the retaining member includes a protrusion extending from the elongated body and being positioned to contact the articulation member.

3. A surgical stapling device according to claim 2, wherein the articulation member includes at least one recess positioned to receive the protrusion.

4. A surgical stapling device according to claim 3, wherein the articulation member includes a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses being movable into engagement with the protrusion to selectively retain the tool assembly at a plurality of articulated positions.

5. A surgical stapling device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one recess is positioned to retain the tool assembly in the first position.

6. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly being relatively movable between open and closed positions, the tool assembly being supported for articulation about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and being movable from a first position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion;

an articulation member positioned within the elongated body portion and operatively engaging the tool assembly and being movable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions; and

a retaining member positioned to releasably engage the articulation member, the retaining member preventing movement of the articulation member until a predetermined force is applied to the articulation member,

wherein the retaining member includes a spherical protrusion monolithically formed with the elongated body portion.

7. 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; and

a support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on at least one side of the flexible drive assembly, the support member including a flexible body having a first end fixedly attached to the tool assembly, a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion and an intermediate spring portion, the support member being positioned adjacent the drive assembly to prevent outward buckling of the drive assembly;

wherein the intermediate spring portion allows the flexible body to flex outwardly of the longitudinal axis to prevent binding of the flexible drive assembly.

8. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the support member positioned on at least one side of the flexible drive assembly includes two support members, one support member being positioned on one side of the drive assembly and the other support member being positioned on the other side of the drive assembly.

9. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the tool assembly includes a mounting member supported at a proximal end thereof, the mounting member being pivotally secured to the elongated body portion.

10. A surgical stapling device according to claim 9, wherein the first end of the tool assembly is fixedly attached to the mounting member of the tool assembly.

11. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate spring portion includes a U-shaped central portion of the flexible body.

12. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the support member includes a flexible body which includes a central portion which lengthens axially.

13. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the support member is bendable about the pivot axis.

14. 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; and

a support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on at least one side of the flexible drive assembly, the support member including a flexible body having a first end fixedly attached to the tool assembly, a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion and an intermediate spring portion, the support member being positioned adjacent the drive assembly to prevent outward buckling of the drive assembly;

wherein the intermediate spring portion allows the flexible body to flex outwardly of the longitudinal axis to prevent binding of the flexible drive assembly; and

wherein the support member further includes a limit member positioned about the intermediate spring portion to limit the extent to which the intermediate spring portion can flex outwardly.

15. A surgical stapling device according to claim 14, wherein the limit member includes an H-block and the intermediate spring portion includes a U-shaped central portion of the flexible body.

16. A surgical stapling device according to claim 15, wherein the support member positioned on at least one side of the flexible drive assembly includes two support members positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly.

17. A surgical stapling device comprising:

an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly being relatively movable between open and closed positions;

a drive assembly positioned within the elongated body portion and having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject staples therefrom; and

a locking member operatively connected to the drive assembly and being releasably secured within the elongated body, the locking member preventing axial movement of the drive assembly prior to firing of the stapling device until a predetermined force has been applied to the drive assembly.

18. A stapling device according to claim 17 wherein the locking member includes at least one protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion being positioned within a recess formed in the elongated body portion, the protrusion preventing axial movement of the locking member until a predetermined force has been applied to the drive assembly.

19. 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 to staples therefrom; and

a support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on at least one side of the flexible drive assembly, the support member having a first end operatively associated with the tool assembly and a second end operatively associated with the elongated body portion, the support member including an axially extendable central portion to prevent binding of the drive assembly.