Surgical instrument with articulating tool assembly

• US 8,561,874 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scirica, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/170,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20120160892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606205-207
• US Class Current: 227/179.1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00845 of moving parts with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00853 low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating (ptf, ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00964 composite
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, an articulating tool assembly and at least one coupling member is disclosed. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. The articulating tool assembly defines a second longitudinal axis and has a proximal end including at least one recess therein. The articulating tool assembly is securable to a distal end of the body portion and is movable from a first position where the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially aligned to at least a second position where the first and second longitudinal axes are at an angle. The coupling member has at least one spring arm and is securable to the body portion. At least a portion of the spring arm is receivable in the recess of the articulating tool assembly to releasably retain the articulating tool assembly in the first position.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly being disposed at a distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;

a locking assembly including a slide in mechanical cooperation with the body portion and a pivot plate in mechanical cooperation with the articulating tool assembly, the slide having a cam finger and the pivot plate having a plurality of slots, the slide being movable to bring the cam finger into engagement with the pivot plate and at least partially within at least one of the slots, the slide being biased distally; and

a link in mechanical engagement with the pivot plate and the slide, the link defining a slot, the cam finger being disposed in the slot of the link.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one spring is in mechanical cooperation with the body portion and distally biases the slide.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the link is in pivotable engagement with the pivot plate.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the articulating tool assembly is part of a disposable loading unit.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the pivot plate has five slots so that upon different amounts of articulation of the tool assembly with respect to the body portion, the cam finger is aligned with one of the slots.

6. The surgical instrument of claims 1, wherein the plurality of slots includes a center slot.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cam finger and/or the slot is wedge-shaped.