Surgical stapling device

• US 8,931,683 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Racenet, David C., Stearns, Ralph, Beardsley, John W., Roy, Philip, Olson, Lee Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/500,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20090283568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,014 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606/219, 606/131, 606/151, 606/139, 606/142, 606/143, 606/205, 606/208
• US Class Current: 227/181.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/291 the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms

Abstract

A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a handle portion including a drive mechanism configured and dimensioned to selectively engage and disengage a movable firing rack and a movable retraction rack;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples; and

a drive member advanceable through the cartridge assembly to fire the surgical staples, the drive mechanism being positioned and configured to selectively engage and move the firing rack to advance the drive member and selectively engage and move the retraction rack to retract the drive member.

2. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further comprising a firing pawl movable into engagement with the firing rack.

5. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further comprising a firing cable connected to the drive member.

6. The surgical stapling device according to claim 5, wherein the tool assembly includes a guide cap at a distal end of the tool assembly for guiding the firing cable so that the drive member is pulled distally through the tool assembly.

7. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further comprising a retraction pawl movable into engagement with the retraction rack.

10. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a barrel assembly having a firing pawl, a retraction pawl, and a grasper pawl.

11. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further comprising a pinion engaged with the firing rack and the retraction rack.

3. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a handle portion including a drive mechanism configured and dimensioned to selectively engage a firing rack and a retraction rack;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples;

a drive member advanceable through the cartridge assembly to fire the surgical staples, the drive mechanism being positioned and configured to selectively engage the firing rack to advance the drive member and selectively engage the retraction rack to retract the drive member; and

a firing pawl movable into engagement with the firing rack, wherein the drive mechanism includes the firing pawl and is arranged to move the firing rack proximally during firing of the surgical stapling device.

4. The surgical stapling device according to claim 3, wherein the firing rack advances the drive member when moved proximally.

8. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a handle portion including a drive mechanism configured and dimensioned to selectively engage a firing rack and a retraction rack;

an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion;

a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples;

a drive member advanceable through the cartridge assembly to fire the surgical staples, the drive mechanism being positioned and configured to selectively engage the firing rack to advance the drive member and selectively engage the retraction rack to retract the drive member; and

a retraction pawl movable into engagement with the retraction rack, wherein the drive mechanism includes the retraction pawl and is arranged to move the retraction rack proximally to retract the drive member.

9. The surgical stapling device according to claim 8, further comprising a retraction cable for pulling the drive member proximally through the tool assembly.