Circular stapler introducer with rigid cap assembly configured for easy removal
First Claim
1. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient, the circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft, said introducer comprising:
- a hollow flexible sheath having a distal end and an open proximal end, said hollow flexible sheath sized to receive the stapling head and at least a portion of the elongated shaft therein; and
a rigid cap assembly attached to said distal end of said hollow flexible sheath, said rigid cap assembly configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered by said rigid cap assembly when the stapling head has been inserted therein to a fully inserted position and an open position wherein said cap assembly may be proximally withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft, said cap assembly having a portion shaped to match a shape of a perimeter of a corresponding portion of the stapling head to enable the rigid cap assembly to pass proximally past the stapling head when being withdrawn therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Introducers for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient. Various embodiments comprise a hollow flexible sheath that has a distal end and an open proximal end that is sized to receive a stapling head portion of the circular stapler therein. A rigid cap assembly may be attached to the distal end of the hollow flexible sheath The rigid cap assembly may be configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered and an open position wherein the distal face of the stapling head is exposed. A portion of the rigid cap assembly has a shape that substantially matches a perimetrical shape of a portion of the stapling head to enable the rigid cap assembly to pass proximally over the stapling head when the introducer is withdrawn from the patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient, the circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft, said introducer comprising:
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a hollow flexible sheath having a distal end and an open proximal end, said hollow flexible sheath sized to receive the stapling head and at least a portion of the elongated shaft therein; and a rigid cap assembly attached to said distal end of said hollow flexible sheath, said rigid cap assembly configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered by said rigid cap assembly when the stapling head has been inserted therein to a fully inserted position and an open position wherein said cap assembly may be proximally withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft, said cap assembly having a portion shaped to match a shape of a perimeter of a corresponding portion of the stapling head to enable the rigid cap assembly to pass proximally past the stapling head when being withdrawn therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient, the circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft, said introducer comprising:
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a hollow flexible sheath having a distal end and an open proximal end, said hollow flexible sheath sized to receive the stapling head and at least a portion of the elongated shaft therein; a radially-openable barrel member attached to a distal end of said hollow flexible sheath and defining an opening for receiving the stapling head therein, a latch member in engagement with a pair of opposed ends of said radially-openable barrel member, said latch member being selectively movable from a latched position engaging said opposed ends of said barrel member and an unlatched position wherein said opposed ends may move radially away from each other; and a rigid cap member hingably attached to said radially-openable barrel member and being movable between a closed position wherein said rigid cap member is retained in a closed position covering a distal end of said opening in said barrel member and an open position wherein said rigid cap member is movable to a position exposing said distal end of said opening in said barrel member, said rigid cap member having an underside with a shape that matches a shape of a perimeter of a corresponding portion of the stapling head to enable said rigid cap member to pass proximally past the stapling head when being proximally withdrawn therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler into a patient, the circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft, said introducer comprising:
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flexible means for removably encasing the stapling head and at least a portion of the elongated shaft of the circular stapler; and end means for selectively presenting a rigid blunt surface covering a distal face of the stapling head, said end means on a distal end of said means for removably encasing, and said end means comprising; means for selectively exposing the distal face of the stapling head; and means for presenting a surface configured to match a portion of a perimetrical shape of the stapling head when in an open position to enable the end means to pass proximally past the stapling head when being proximally withdrawn therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification