Circular stapling instrument

• US 9,597,083 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2016
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Penna, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US15/144,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/175.2, 227/176.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/151, 606/153, 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 17/072 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter

Abstract

A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher assembly and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher assembly.

Claims

1. A method of stapling tissue comprising:

advancing a pusher assembly of a circular loading unit a first distance to eject staples from a staple cartridge;

retracting a pusher adapter of the pusher assembly a second distance to cause a compressible member to expand to lock the pusher adapter relative to a knife pusher; and

advancing the pusher adapter the second distance to cut tissue, wherein the knife pusher prevents the compressible member from compressing.

2. The method of claim 1, further including pausing a predetermined period of time between retracting the pusher adapter the second distance and advancing the pusher assembly the second distance to allow for tissue normalization.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the pusher adapter of the pusher assembly a second distance includes moving the pusher adapter to a location proximal of an initial location of the pusher adapter.

4. The method of claim 1, further including attaching the circular loading unit to a handle assembly.

5. The method of claim 4, further including securing the anvil member to a trocar member of the handle assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the pusher assembly a first distance is effected during a first actuation of a handle assembly.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein retracting the pusher adapter a second distance is completed in response to the release of a trigger following the first actuation of the handle assembly.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein advancing the pusher assembly the second distance is effected during a second actuation of the handle assembly.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the pusher assembly a first distance causes the forming of the staples against an anvil assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, further including retracting the anvil assembly relative to the staple cartridge.

11. The method of claim 10, further including advancing the anvil assembly relative to the staple cartridge.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the pusher assembly the first distance is caused by a first actuation of a handle assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein advancing the pusher assembly the second distance is caused by a second actuation of the handle assembly.