Locking articulation mechanism for surgical stapler

• US 8,336,754 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cappola, Kenneth M., Scirica, Paul, Mozdzierz, Patrick, Marini, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Nash, Brian D
• Application Number:
  US13/021,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20120199629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 227/178.1, 227/175.2, 227/19
• 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 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A surgical stapler is provided and comprises a handle assembly, an elongated body, an articulable tool assembly, and an articulation mechanism. The articulation mechanism has: a main shaft member connected to an articulation linkage; a retainer having an opening for receiving a shaft portion of the main shaft member; a cam lock having cam locking surfaces and a locking tab; a locking cover defining recesses for receiving the locking tab; an articulation handle having cam surfaces configured to engage the cam locking surfaces of the cam lock.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending from the handle assembly;

an articulable tool assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongated body; and

an articulation mechanism operably connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and securely lock the tool assembly in one or more positions, the articulation mechanism having;

a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage;

a stationary retainer having an opening for receiving a shaft portion of the main shaft member;

a cam lock having a bore configured to receive the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the cam lock having cam locking surfaces and a locking tab;

a biasing member disposed between the retainer and cam lock;

a locking cover defining recesses for receiving the locking tab, the

recesses including a central recess positioned to correspond to a nonarticulated position;

an articulation handle having cam surfaces configured to engage the cam locking surfaces of the cam lock, wherein the engagement of the cam locking surfaces and the cam surfaces moves the cam lock against the bias of the biasing member.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are defined by dividers having chamfered surfaces.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the dividers differ in size.

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the dividers include central dividers defining a central recess and other dividers defining recesses for articulated positions.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, wherein the chamfers on the central dividers are relatively large, and wherein the chamfers on the dividers defining recesses for articulated positions are relatively small.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the locking cover has a semi-circular extension having ends configured to interact with the cam lock and prevent over-rotation.

7. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the articulation handle has cutouts that align with an opening formed on the shaft portion, and further comprising a locking pin for securing the articulation handle to the main shaft, the cutouts allowing the articulation handle to pivot before rotating the main shaft.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a yoke is attached to the main shaft member and the articulation linkage.

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the articulation mechanism further includes a housing configured to receive the retainer therein, the retainer being stationary relative to the housing.