Surgical stapling device having supports for a flexible drive mechanism

• US 9,700,321 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2014
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Morgan, Jerome R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US14/289,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 2271801, 606219, 606142
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• 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 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3456 blunt
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

A surgical stapler comprising a staple cartridge comprising a curved deck configured to support tissue is disclosed. The curved deck comprises an inner radius of curvature, an outer radius of curvature, a first step, and a second step. The staple cartridge further comprises a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and staples removably stored in the first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities. The surgical stapler further comprises an anvil, a first camming member, a second camming member, a cutting member, a driver, and support means for supporting the driver when the driver moves the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a curved deck configured to support tissue comprising;

an inner radius of curvature;

an outer radius of curvature;

a first step; and

a second step, wherein said first step is taller than said second step, and wherein said second step is positioned laterally and inwardly with respect to said first step;

a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first step;

a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second step; and

staples removably stored in said first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities;

an anvil configured to deform said staples;

a first camming member;

a second camming member, wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to control the relative position of said staple cartridge and said anvil;

a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and said staple cartridge;

a driver operably engaged with said cutting member to move said cutting member relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge; and

support means for supporting said driver when said driver moves said cutting member relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge.

2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said support means also guides said cutting member as said cutting member is moved relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge.

3. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said support means includes a curved slot in one of said anvil and said staple cartridge, and wherein said curved slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said driver.

4. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein said support means further includes a second slot in the other of said anvil and said staple cartridge, and wherein said second slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said driver.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein said curved slot includes a first surface and a second surface, and wherein said curved slot further includes first projections extending from said first surface and second projections extending from said second surface, said first projections and said second projections defining a curved path for said cutting member and said driver.

6. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said driver is comprised of at least two layers of material bonded together.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to co-operatively set a tissue gap distance between the staple cartridge and said anvil.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said driver is deformable to match at least one of said inner radius of curvature or said outer radius of curvature.