Attachable clamp for surgical stapler

• US 9,566,066 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2016
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kasvikis, Dino
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US15/144,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A surgical fastener applying instrument including a handle portion, an elongated portion, a pair of jaw members and a removable clamp. One of the jaw members contains a plurality of fasteners arranged in at least one row substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The removable clamp has an elongated member and a tissue clamping surface extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The clamp is movable from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue and is releasably mountable to the elongated portion of the instrument.

Claims

1. A surgical fastener applying instrument comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongated portion extending distally from the handle portion, the elongated portion defining a central longitudinal axis;

a first jaw member supporting an anvil;

a second jaw member supporting a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, the second jaw member being movable in relation to the first jaw member between open and approximated positions; and

a clamp having an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and an elongated tissue clamping surface defining a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, the clamp being movable longitudinally independently of the pair of jaw members from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second jaw members includes a tissue-contacting surface defining a plane that is transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the elongated portion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the tissue clamping surface of the clamp is positioned adjacent and parallel to the tissue connecting surface of the first jaw member when the clamp is in the distal position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the fasteners are arranged in at least one row that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the clamp includes an enlarged clamping head having a distal end, the enlarged clamping head extending from the elongated member and having a tissue contacting surface formed on the distal end.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a cam lever for longitudinally moving the clamp.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein a portion of the cam lever is positioned to be accessible by a user when the surgical instrument is fully assembled.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the cam lever is pivotal with respect to the elongated member of the clamp.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the cam lever is pinned to the elongated member of the clamp.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated tissue contacting surface is selected from the group consisting of smooth, jagged, serrated, rounded, flat, angled, and beveled.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated tissue contacting surface is positioned to extend along the length of the second jaw member.

12. A surgical fastener applying instrument comprising:

a handle portion;

an elongated portion extending distally from the handle portion, the elongated portion defining a central longitudinal axis;

a first jaw member supporting an anvil;

a second jaw member supporting a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, the second jaw member being movable in relation to the first jaw member between open and approximated positions;

a clamp having an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a tissue clamping surface defining a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, the clamp being movable longitudinally independently of the pair of jaw members from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue; and

a ratchet configured to allow longitudinal movement of the clamp in a first direction while restricting longitudinal movement in an opposite direction.