Surgical stapling apparatus with interlockable firing system

• US 9,204,878 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hall, Steven G., Tanguay, Randall J., Messerly, Jeffrey D., Robertson, Galen C., Zwolinski, Andrew M., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/459,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20140353359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/175.2, 227/175.3, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• 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 2017/00371 Multiple actuation, e.g. pushing of two buttons, or two working tips becoming operational
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00946 malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

an elongated shaft assembly;

a disposable loading unit operably coupled to said elongated shaft assembly;

an actuation shaft operably interfacing with said disposable loading unit;

means for actuating and operably interfacing with said actuation shaft to apply actuation motions thereto; and

release means interfacing with said means for actuating and operably interfacing with said actuation shaft such that said actuation shaft is longitudinally movable a first predetermined distance in a distal direction to apply a first one of said actuation motions to said disposable loading unit and prevented from further distal travel until said release means is activated.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising lock out means interfacing with said actuation shaft for preventing any longitudinal movement of said actuation shaft in the distal direction unless said disposable loading unit has been coupled to a distal end of said elongated shaft assembly.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising retraction means interfacing with said actuation shaft for applying retraction motions thereto to cause said actuation shaft to move in a proximal direction.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated shaft assembly is selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis upon application of a rotational actuation motion thereto.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated shaft assembly is configured to enable said disposable loading unit to be selectively articulated relative thereto.

6. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disposable loading unit comprises:

a tool assembly removably coupleable to said elongated shaft assembly;

an anvil movably supported on said tool assembly and configured to receive some of said actuation motions from said actuation shaft; and

a knife blade movably supported in said tool assembly and configured to receive some other of said actuation motions from said actuation shaft.

7. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an articulation joint operably coupled to said tool assembly and said elongated shaft assembly to facilitate articulation of said disposable loading unit relative to said elongated shaft assembly.

8. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said articulation joint is configured to facilitate articulation of said disposable loading unit relative to said elongated shaft assembly upon application of an articulation motion to said disposable loading unit.

9. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7 further comprising articulation means supported within said elongated shaft assembly for selectively applying articulation motions to said articulation joint.

10. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said articulation joint is configured to facilitate articulation of said disposable loading unit relative to a portion of said elongated shaft assembly about a single articulation axis.

11. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said articulation joint is configured to facilitate articulation of said disposable loading unit relative to said elongated shaft assembly in a plurality of different directions.

12. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a control rod operably coupled to said actuation shaft and said knife blade.

13. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for actuating comprises a gear driven firing system.

14. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13 wherein said gear driven firing system comprises a rotary driven pawl in meshing engagement with said actuation shaft.