Tissue stop for surgical instrument

• US 9,295,465 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Farascioni, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US13/690,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20130087601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/180.1
• 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 17/072 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 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A surgical including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

an elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly being curved with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the elongated portion is straight; and

a stop member disposed adjacent a distal portion of the cartridge assembly, the stop member being pivotable with respect to the cartridge assembly about a distal portion of the stop member.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the stop member is pivotable with respect to the cartridge assembly between a first position, in which a significant portion of the stop member is positioned external to the cartridge assembly, and a second position capturing the tissue between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the stop member, wherein the biasing member biases stop member towards its first position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the stop member includes a stopping portion.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the stopping portion defines an oblique angle with respect to a tissue-contacting surface of the cartridge assembly when the stop member is in a biased position.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the stopping portion is substantially perpendicular with respect to the tissue-contacting surface of the cartridge assembly when the stop member is in a non-biased position.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a knife channel.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a handle assembly.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the handle assembly is not curved.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly includes surgical fasteners.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, further comprising an actuation sled for urging the surgical fasteners out of the cartridge assembly.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the surgical fasteners are disposed in fastener retaining slots defined by the cartridge assembly.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the actuation sled advances distally through the cartridge assembly to urge the surgical fasteners out of the fastener retaining slots.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a blade.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the cartridge assembly defines a knife channel.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the blade moves with an axial drive assembly though the knife channel of the cartridge assembly.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the axial drive assembly includes a sled.

18. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

an elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis;

an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being curved with respect to the longitudinal axis; and

a stop member disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member, the stop member being pivotable with respect to the first jaw member about a distal portion of the stop member.