Stapling instrument comprising resettable staple drivers

• US 9,107,663 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2011
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Swensgard, Brett E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US13/225,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20130056521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/153
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument can comprise a jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge, a plurality of staple drivers positioned within the jaw configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge, and a firing member configured to engage the staple drivers as the firing member is advanced from an unfired position to a fired position. As the firing member is advanced from its unfired position, the firing member can lift the staple drivers upwardly within a cartridge body of the staple cartridge. When the firing member is returned to its unfired position, the firing member can lower the staple drivers downwardly within the cartridge body thereby resetting the staple drivers prior to a new staple cartridge being positioned within the jaw.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a handle comprising a trigger;

a shaft extending from said handle;

a firing member operably coupled with said trigger such that a firing motion can be transferred from said trigger to said firing member to move said firing member along a firing path, wherein said firing member comprises at least one first inclined surface and at least one parallel inclined surface;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal end extending from said shaft;

a distal end;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from an undeployed position into a deployed position as said firing member is moved from said proximal end to said distal end, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said deployed position into said undeployed position as said firing member is moved from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein each said staple driver comprises;

a lifting surface configured to be contacted by said at least one first inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said undeployed position and said deployed position; and

a lowering surface configured to be contacted by said at least one parallel inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said deployed position and said undeployed position;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel.

2. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a handle comprising a trigger;

a shaft extending from said handle;

a firing member operably coupled with said trigger such that a firing motion can be transferred from said trigger to said firing member to move said firing member along a firing path, wherein said firing member comprises a ramp, wherein said ramp comprises;

a top surface; and

a bottom surface;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal end extending from said shaft;

a distal end;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from an undeployed position into a deployed position as said firing member is moved from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said deployed position into said undeployed position as said firing member is moved from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein said top surface is configured to lift said staple drivers between said undeployed position and said deployed position, and wherein said bottom surface configured to return said staple drivers to said deployed position;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel.

3. A surgical stapling instrument assembly, comprising:

a shaft;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a firing member configured to move along a firing path;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal portion attached to said shaft;

a distal portion;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from a first position into a second position as said firing member is moved from said proximal portion to said distal portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said second position into said first position as said firing member is moved from said distal portion to said proximal portion;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel;

wherein said firing member comprises at least one first inclined surface and at least one parallel inclined surface, wherein each said staple driver comprises;

a lifting surface configured to be contacted by said at least one first inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said first position and said second position; and

a lowering surface configured to be contacted by said at least one parallel inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said second position and said first position.

4. A surgical stapling instrument assembly, comprising:

a shaft;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a firing member configured to move along a firing path;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal portion attached to said shaft;

a distal portion;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from a first position into a second position as said firing member is moved from said proximal portion to said distal portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said second position into said first position as said firing member is moved from said distal portion to said proximal portion;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel;

wherein said firing member comprises a ramp, wherein said ramp comprises;

a top surface configured to lift said staple drivers between said first position and said second position; and

a bottom surface configured to return said staple drivers to said second position.

5. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft configured to store a plurality of staple cartridges, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and a tissue contacting surface;

a firing member configured to move along a firing path, wherein said firing member comprises a ramp, wherein said ramp comprises;

a top surface; and

a bottom surface;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal portion attached to said shaft;

a distal portion; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and lift each said staple driver toward said tissue contacting surface as said firing member is moved between said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and lower said staple drivers away from said tissue contacting surface as said firing member is moved between said distal portion and said proximal portion, wherein said top surface is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said tissue contacting surface, and wherein said bottom surface is configured to return said staple drivers away from said tissue contacting surface;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staple drivers are lifted toward said tissue contacting surface; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said first jaw.

6. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a handle comprising a trigger;

a shaft extending from said handle;

a firing member operably coupled with said trigger such that a firing motion can be transferred from said trigger to said firing member to move said firing member along a firing path, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface and at least one declined surface;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal end extending from said shaft;

a distal end;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from an undeployed position into a deployed position as said firing member is moved from said proximal end to said distal end, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said deployed position into said undeployed position as said firing member is moved from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein each said staple driver comprises;

a lifting surface configured to be contacted by said at least one inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said undeployed position and said deployed position; and

a lowering surface configured to be contacted by said at least one declined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said deployed position and said undeployed position;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel.

7. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 6, wherein said at least one declined surface is parallel to said at least one inclined surface.

8. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 6, wherein said firing member further comprises a cutting edge configured to incise tissue captured between said first jaw and said second jaw, and wherein each said inclined surface comprises a proximal end and a distal end positioned distally with respect to said cutting edge.

9. A surgical stapling instrument assembly, comprising:

a shaft;

a plurality of staple cartridges positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a plurality of staples;

a firing member configured to move along a firing path;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal portion attached to said shaft;

a distal portion;

a channel configured to receive a said staple cartridge; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move each said staple driver from a first position into a second position as said firing member is moved from said proximal portion to said distal portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and move said staple drivers from said second position into said first position as said firing member is moved from said distal portion to said proximal portion;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staples are deployed; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said channel;

wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface and at least one declined surface, wherein each said staple driver comprises;

a lifting surface configured to be contacted by said at least one inclined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said first position and said second position; and

a lowering surface configured to be contacted by said at least one declined surface when said firing member moves said staple drivers between said second position and said first position.

10. The surgical stapling instrument assembly of claim 9, wherein said at least one declined surface is parallel to said at least one inclined surface.

11. The surgical stapling instrument assembly of claim 9, wherein said firing member further comprises a cutting edge configured to incise tissue captured between said first jaw and said second jaw, and wherein each said inclined surface comprises a proximal end and a distal end positioned distally with respect to said cutting edge.

12. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a shaft configured to store a plurality of staple cartridges, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and a tissue contacting surface;

a firing member configured to move along a firing path, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface and at least one declined surface;

a first jaw comprising;

a proximal portion attached to said shaft;

a distal portion; and

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and lift each said staple driver toward said tissue contacting surface as said firing member is moved between said proximal portion and said distal portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to engage said staple drivers and lower said staple drivers away from said tissue contacting surface as said firing member is moved between said distal portion and said proximal portion, wherein each said staple driver comprises;

a lifting surface configured to be contacted by said at least one inclined surface when said firing member lifts said staple drivers toward said tissue contacting surface; and

a lowering surface configured to be contacted by said at least one declined surface when said firing member lowers said staple drivers away from said tissue contacting surface;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said staples are configured to contact said anvil when said staple drivers are lifted toward said tissue contacting surface; and

a cartridge driver configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge into said first jaw.

13. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 12, wherein said at least one declined surface is parallel to said at least one inclined surface.

14. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 12, wherein said firing member further comprises a cutting edge configured to incise tissue captured between said first jaw and said second jaw, and wherein each said inclined surface comprises a proximal end and a distal end positioned distally with respect to said cutting edge.