Surgical stapling instrument

• US 9,282,966 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Setser, Michael E., Weisenburgh, William B. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US14/175,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20140151434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/179.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 : Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 : Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 : Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles

Abstract

A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a closure system configured to generate a closing motion when actuated;

a closure release system configured to releasably hold said closure system in an actuated condition; and

a firing system configured to generate a distal firing motion and a proximal return motion;

a shaft extending from said handle;

an articulation joint, wherein said firing system is configured to traverse said articulation joint;

an end effector movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises;

a first jaw member; and

a second jaw member; and

a longitudinally extending member, wherein said longitudinally extending member is configured to be moved between a proximal position and a distal position, and wherein said longitudinally extending member is configured to contact one of said first jaw member and said second jaw member in response to said distal firing motion and control the position of said first jaw member relative to said second jaw member as said longitudinally extending member is pushed distally from said proximal position to said distal position.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a closure system configured to generate a closing motion when actuated, wherein said closure system comprises an open condition and a closed condition;

a firing system configured to generate a firing motion and a return motion, wherein said closure system is held in said closed condition when said firing system is generating said firing motion, and wherein said firing system comprises a longitudinal member;

a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises;

a closure member configured to transmit said closing motion; and

a firing member configured to transmit said firing motion;

an articulation joint, wherein said firing system is configured to traverse said articulation joint during said firing motion and said return motion; and

an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw, wherein said first jaw is responsive to said closing motion,

wherein said end effector is movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, and wherein said longitudinal member is configured to contact one of said first jaw member and said second jaw member in response to said firing motion and control the position of said first jaw member relative to said second jaw member as said longitudinal member is pushed distally during said firing motion.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, further comprising a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

5. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a closure system configured to generate a closing motion when actuated;

a firing system configured to generate a firing motion when actuated;

a shaft extending from said handle;

a lock system;

an articulation joint;

an end effector movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises;

a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

a sled, wherein said sled is configured to be distally pushed by said firing system;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is rotatable relative to said second jaw;

a closure member responsive to said closing motion, wherein said closure member is configured to engage said first jaw and rotate said first jaw toward said second jaw into a closed position, and wherein said lock system is configured to releasably hold said first jaw in said closed position; and

a firing member which is distinct from said closure member, wherein said firing member is actuated separately with respect to said closure member, wherein said firing member is responsive to said firing motion to deploy said staples from said staple cartridge, and wherein said firing member comprises a member configured to coact with one of said first jaw and said second jaw to set a jaw gap when said first jaw is in said closed position.