Circular stapler introducer with rigid distal end portion
First Claim
1. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft into a patient, 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;
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face of the stapling head is covered when inserted therein and an open position wherein said rigid cap assembly may be withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft; and
a release arrangement interfacing with said rigid cap assembly such that upon an application of a release motion thereto, said rigid cap assembly is movable from said closed position to said open position.
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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 is 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distal face of the stapling head is covered when inserted therein and an open position wherein the cap assembly may be withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft. A release arrangement interfaces with the rigid cap assembly such that upon an application of a release motion thereto, the rigid cap is movable from the closed position to the open position.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to the elongated shaft into a patient, 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 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 when inserted therein and an open position wherein said rigid cap assembly may be withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft; and a release arrangement interfacing with said rigid cap assembly such that upon an application of a release motion thereto, said rigid cap assembly is movable from said closed position to said open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 3. The introducer of 2 wherein said release member comprises a suture.
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15. An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft into a patient, said introducer comprising:
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a hollow flexible sheath having a distal end and an open proximal end, said hollow flexible sheath being sized to receive the stapling head and the elongated shaft therein; a handle assembly attached to said open proximal end of said hollow flexible sheath and being configured to extend over a portion of the handle portion of the circular stapler when the circular stapler has been inserted into said hollow flexible sheath to a fully inserted position; 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 a portion of said rigid cap assembly when the stapling head has been inserted to said fully inserted position and an open position wherein said rigid cap assembly may be proximally withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft; a latch member supported by said hollow flexible sheath in movable engagement with said rigid cap assembly, said latch member being selectively movable from a latched position wherein said rigid cap assembly is retained in said closed position and an unlatched position wherein a portion of said rigid cap assembly is movable to said open position; a suture attached to said latch member, said suture extending through a lumen in said hollow flexible sheath to said handle assembly; and a release slider attached to a proximal end of said suture and configured to be slidably supported about the handle portion of the circular stapler when the circular stapler has been inserted to said fully inserted position.
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Specification