Tissue stop for surgical instrument

• US 8,899,461 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Farascioni, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): JALLOW, EYAMINDAE CHOSSAN
• Application Number:
  US13/208,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20120080474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606/139, 606142- 15, 606147-149
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin

Abstract

A surgical instrument for surgically joining a tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a pair of opposed jaw members, and a tissue stop. The tissue stop is mechanically engaged with a first jaw member and is configured to retain the tissue between jaw members. The tissue stop is movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member. A portion of the tissue stop is made of stamped metal section and a portion of the tissue stop is made of an overmolded plastic section.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle;

an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

a pair of opposed jaw members operatively coupled to the elongate portion and extending distally therefrom, the pair of opposed jaw members including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and

a tissue stop being mechanically engaged with the first jaw member such that at least a portion of the tissue stop is longitudinally movable along an axis of the first jaw member, the tissue stop being configured to retain tissue between the pair of opposed jaw members, the tissue stop being movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member, wherein the tissue stop is made of a first part and a second part at least partially covering the first part, the first part including stamped metal and the second part including overmolded plastic.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the stopping portion of the tissue stop includes a scalloped portion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the scalloped portion of the tissue stop includes a plurality of spaced-apart semi-circular indents.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue stop includes a pair of lateral walls.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the stopping portion is disposed on a proximal edge of each lateral wall.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the stopping portion includes a scalloped portion.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tissue stop is pivotable relative to the first jaw member.

8. A loading unit configured for releasable engagement with a surgical instrument comprising:

a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, the body portion including a proximal portion configured for releasable engagement with an elongate portion of the surgical instrument;

a pair of jaw members extending distally from the body portion, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position engaging body tissue therebetween, the pair of jaw members including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and

a tissue stop being mechanically engaged with the first jaw member such that at least a portion of the tissue stop is translatable along an axis of the first jaw member, the tissue stop being configured to retain body tissue between the pair of opposed jaw members, the tissue stop being movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member, wherein the tissue stop is made of a first part and a second part at least partially covering the first part, the first part including stamped metal and the second part including overmolded plastic.

9. The loading unit of claim 8, wherein the stopping portion of the tissue stop includes a scalloped portion.

10. The loading unit of claim 9, wherein the scalloped portion of the tissue stop includes a plurality of spaced-apart semi-circular indents.

11. The loading unit of claim 8, wherein the tissue stop includes a pair of lateral walls.

12. The loading unit of claim 11, wherein the stopping portion is disposed on a proximal edge of each lateral wall.

13. The loading unit of claim 12, wherein the stopping portion includes a scalloped portion.

14. The loading unit of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the tissue stop is pivotable relative to the first jaw member.

15. A tissue stop for use with a surgical instrument comprising:

a first part including stamped metal; and

a second part at least partially covering the first part, the second part including overmolded plastic;

wherein the tissue stop is mechanically engaged with a jaw member of the surgical instrument such that at least a portion of the tissue stop is movable along a longitudinal axis of the jaw member, the tissue stop is configured to retain tissue between opposed jaw members of the surgical instrument.

16. The tissue stop of claim 15, wherein the tissue stop includes a pair of lateral walls.

17. The tissue stop of claim 16, wherein a stopping portion is disposed on a proximal edge of each lateral wall.

18. The tissue stop of claim 17, wherein the stopping portion includes a scalloped portion.

19. The tissue stop of claim 18, wherein the scalloped portion of the tissue stop includes a plurality of spaced-apart semi-circular indents.

20. The tissue stop of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the tissue stop is pivotable relative to the jaw member.