Articulating surgical stapling instrument

• US 10,568,629 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2016
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Setser, Michael E., Weisenburgh, II, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US15/270,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20170007249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271752
• 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 stapling system comprising an anvil, a channel, a firing member, a lock recess, a replaceable staple cartridge, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The firing member comprises a lock shoulder and a coupling portion configured to couple the anvil and the channel. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises staples and a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a firing stroke of the firing member to eject the staples. The lock shoulder is engageable with the lock recess when the sled is not in the proximal unfired position to block the firing stroke from being performed. The sled prevents engagement between the lock shoulder and the lock recess when the sled is in the proximal unfired position to permit the firing stroke to be performed. The staple cartridge is attached to the stapling system distal to the articulation joint.

Claims

1. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil;

a channel;

a firing member, comprising;

a coupling portion configured to couple said anvil and said channel; and

a lock shoulder;

a lock recess;

a replaceable staple cartridge, comprising;

a proximal end positionable adjacent said firing member;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a firing stroke of said firing member to eject said staples from said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said lock shoulder is engageable with said lock recess when said sled is not in said proximal unfired position to block said firing stroke from being performed, and wherein said sled prevents engagement between said lock shoulder and said lock recess when said sled is in said proximal unfired position to permit said firing stroke to be performed; and

an articulation joint, wherein said staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

2. The stapling system of claim 1, wherein said coupling portion of said firing member is positioned at a distal end of said firing member.

3. The stapling system of claim 1, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

4. The stapling system of claim 1, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate a first cam and a second cam of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

5. A stapling system, comprising:

an anvil;

a firing member, comprising;

a lock shoulder; and

a cutting edge;

a lock;

a replaceable staple cartridge, comprising;

a proximal end positionable in front of said cutting edge;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a firing stroke of said firing member to eject said staples from said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said lock shoulder is engageable with said lock when said sled is not in said proximal unfired position to block said firing stroke from being performed, and wherein said sled prevents engagement between said lock shoulder and said lock when said sled is in said proximal unfired position to permit said firing stroke to be performed; and

an articulation joint, wherein said staple cartridge is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

6. The stapling system of claim 5, wherein said firing member comprises a coupling portion positioned at a distal end of said firing member configured to relatively position said anvil and said staple cartridge.

7. The stapling system of claim 5, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

8. The stapling system of claim 5, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate a first cam and a second cam of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

9. A stapling system for use with a surgical instrument, said stapling system comprising:

a first assembly, comprising;

an anvil;

a firing member comprising a lock shoulder; and

a lock; and

a second assembly, comprising;

a proximal end positionable in front of said firing member;

a distal end positioned opposite said proximal end;

staples; and

a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a firing stroke of said firing member to eject said staples from said second assembly, wherein said lock shoulder is engageable with said lock when said sled is not in said proximal unfired position to block said firing stroke from being performed, and wherein said sled prevents engagement between said lock shoulder and said lock when said sled is in said proximal unfired position to permit said firing stroke to be performed; and

an articulation joint, wherein said second assembly is attached to said stapling system at a location which is distal with respect to said articulation joint.

10. The stapling system of claim 9, wherein said firing member comprises a coupling portion positioned at a distal end of said firing member configured to hold said second assembly relative to said first assembly.

11. The stapling system of claim 9, wherein said sled is positioned in front of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.

12. The stapling system of claim 9, wherein said sled is positioned intermediate a first cam and a second cam of said firing member when said staple cartridge is assembled to said stapling system.