Surgical stapling instrument

• US 8,684,252 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2012
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Patel, Nihir, Pedros, Guido, Paul, Stephen R., Milliman, Keith L., Williams, Ryan, Havrilko, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/667,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20130056517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606142-143, 403348-349
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle assembly having a proximal end, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The shell assembly includes a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples. A flexible engagement structure attaches the staple guide to the shell.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly;

a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the shell assembly including a shell and a staple guide, the staple guide configured to house a plurality of staples in an annular array, the shell including a locking aperture formed in an outer surface of the shell spaced proximally of a distal end of the shell and defining a proximal wall and a distal wall, the shell including a ramp;

a pusher positioned at least partially within the shell and advanceable relative to the staple guide; and

a flexible engagement feature including at least one hook disposed on the staple guide, the hook including an angled surface disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof, and wherein the angled surface of the hook slidably contacts the ramp of the shell upon engagement between the staple guide and the shell and prior to the hook engaging the locking aperture.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible engagement feature includes a flexible tab on the shell.

3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the locking aperture of the shell in formed on the flexible tab.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the hook is substantially rigid.

5. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the flexible tab is positioned adjacent a distal-most end of the shell.

6. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising at least one flexible projecting member compressible by the staple guide.

7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the shell assembly includes a plurality of projections extending distally to apply a distal force to the staple guide.

8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein the projections are compressible by the staple guide.

9. The instrument of claim 7, wherein the projections extend from a distal most end of the shell.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the staple guide has a flange annularly disposed thereon, and wherein the hook is positioned proximal of the flange.

11. instrument of claim 1, wherein the hook is substantially flush with an outer surface of the staple guide.

12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible engagement feature comprises first and second hooks radially disposed on the staple guide, the first and second hooks configured to engage first and second locking apertures of the shell assembly.

13. The instrument of claim 12, wherein the first and second hooks are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart.

14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the hook has a shoulder engageable with a surface of a distal wall defined by the locking aperture.

15. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the hook does not extend radially outward of a radial outer surface of the shell.

16. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a distal shoulder of the hook engages a distal wall defined by the locking aperture.