Surgical instrument having a plastic surface
First Claim
1. A disposable loading unit, comprising:
- a drive beam;
a tool assembly disposed distally of the drive beam, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly defining a first metallic contact surface, and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to the anvil assembly and defining a second metallic contact surface; and
a closure apparatus disposed adjacent a distal end of the drive beam, the closure apparatus including;
an upper metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the anvil assembly;
a lower metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly, whereby distal movement of the closure apparatus moves the tool assembly from an open position towards an approximated position;
a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, wherein the upper and lower flange portions each include internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion; and
at least one insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a hole formed in the upper flange portion or the lower flange portion such that the at least one insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, or between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly, to minimize friction between the tool assembly and the closure apparatus.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.
467 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A disposable loading unit, comprising:
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a drive beam; a tool assembly disposed distally of the drive beam, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly defining a first metallic contact surface, and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to the anvil assembly and defining a second metallic contact surface; and a closure apparatus disposed adjacent a distal end of the drive beam, the closure apparatus including; an upper metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the anvil assembly; a lower metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly, whereby distal movement of the closure apparatus moves the tool assembly from an open position towards an approximated position; a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, wherein the upper and lower flange portions each include internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion; and at least one insert formed from a non-metallic material positioned within a hole formed in the upper flange portion or the lower flange portion such that the at least one insert is positioned between the upper flange portion and the first metallic contact surface of the anvil assembly, or between the lower flange portion and the second metallic contact surface of the cartridge assembly, to minimize friction between the tool assembly and the closure apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A disposable loading unit, comprising:
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a drive beam; a tool assembly including an anvil assembly defining a first metallic contact surface and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to the anvil assembly and defining a second metallic contact surface, the tool assembly being moveable between open and approximated positions; and a closure apparatus adjacent a distal end of the drive beam, the closure apparatus including; an upper metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the anvil assembly; a lower metallic flange portion configured and dimensioned to engage the cartridge assembly, whereby distal movement of the closure apparatus moves the tool assembly towards the approximated position; a vertical beam portion interconnecting the upper and lower flange portions, wherein the upper and lower metallic flange portions each include internal and external surfaces extending transversely in relation to the vertical beam portion; and at least one insert formed from a non-metallic material extending through at least one of the upper and lower metallic flange portions, the at least one insert being positioned between the at least one metallic flange portion and at least one of the metallic contact surfaces of the anvil assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification