Surgical stapling device

• US 9,113,871 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2012
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Milliman, Keith L., Hessler, Thomas R., Wenchell, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/717,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20130105546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/143, 606/151, 606/153, 606/219, 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• 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 17/115 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1142 Purse-string sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/005 Rectum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• 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 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback

Abstract

A surgical stapling device an elongated body portion having proximal and distal portions, and a head portion positioned adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion. The head portion includes a shell assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to the shell assembly between un-approximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and an anvil head connected to the center rod. The center rod includes at least one aperture extending transversely therethrough and configured and dimensioned to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member extends transversely through the center rod.

Claims

1. A method of performing a surgical procedure comprising:

inserting an anvil assembly including an anvil head, and a center rod extending proximally from the anvil head, into an opening in a patient;

inserting a proximal end of the center rod into an anvil retainer of a surgical fastener applying apparatus such that a first engagement member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the center rod engages an internal surface of the anvil retainer, and a second engagement member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the center rod engages a shell assembly of the surgical fastener applying apparatus;

positioning target tissue between the anvil head and the shell assembly;

approximating the anvil head and the shell assembly; and

firing the surgical fastener applying apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the proximal end of the center rod into the anvil retainer includes causing the first engagement member to engage a corresponding recess formed in the anvil retainer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein inserting the proximal end of the center rod into the anvil retainer includes causing the second engagement member to frictionally engage the shell assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein approximating the anvil head and the shell assembly includes manipulating an approximation knob.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein manipulating the approximation knob includes rotating the approximation knob to cause corresponding rotation of a drive screw.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein firing the surgical fastener applying apparatus includes ejecting at least one surgical fastener from the surgical fastener applying apparatus.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein ejecting the least one surgical fastener from the surgical fastener applying apparatus includes advancing a pusher back distally within the shell assembly.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein ejecting the least one surgical fastener from the surgical fastener applying apparatus includes forcing the at least one surgical fastener into a fastener forming pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface of the anvil head.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein forcing the at least one surgical fastener into the fastener forming pocket includes causing each leg of the at least one surgical fastener to engage oppositely positioned cavities defined by the fastener forming pocket.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein forcing the at least one surgical fastener into the fastener forming pocket further includes causing the legs of the at least one surgical fastener to exit the cavities defined by the fastener forming pocket, and enter a linear section connecting the cavities.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein forcing the at least one surgical fastener into the fastener forming pocket further includes causing the legs of the at least one surgical fastener to traverse arcuate forming surfaces defined by the linear section connecting the cavities defined by the fastener forming pocket.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein advancing the pusher back distally within the shell assembly includes advancing a knife member distally.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein advancing the knife member distally includes penetrating a cutting ring of the anvil head.

14. The method of claim 1, further including securing a flexible member to a first section of the target tissue.

15. The method of claim 14, further including identifying an amount of the first section of the target tissue for resection through reference to a marker positioned adjacent one of a plurality of receiving structures formed in the center rod that is visually distinct from both an outer surface of the center rod, and from the receiving structures.

16. The method of claim 15, further including selecting one of the receiving structures for securement to the flexible member based upon the amount of the first section of the target tissue identified for resection, and relative positioning between the receiving structures and the marker.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein selecting one of the receiving structures includes choosing from a proximal receiving structure, a distal receiving structure, and an intermediate receiving structure positioned between the proximal receiving structure and the distal receiving structure, the marker being positioned between the proximal receiving structure and the intermediate receiving structure.

18. The method of claim 16, further including securing the flexible member to the selected receiving structure.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein approximating the anvil head and the shell assembly includes drawing the first section of the target tissue into the shell assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein firing the surgical fastener applying apparatus includes resecting and fastening the first section of the target tissue.