Surgical stapling device

• US 20060097025A1
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Milliman, Keith L., Gresham, Richard D., Sniffin, Kevin, Dato, Anthony, Cuny, Douglas J., Jankowski, Bruce K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,303,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00371 Multiple actuation, e.g. pushing of two buttons, or two working tips becoming operational
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3616 Magnifying glass

Abstract

A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes a bulbous indicator which preferably extends above a top surface of the handle assembly of the device. The indicator includes indicia to identify to a surgeon that the device has been approximated and is in a fire-ready position. Preferably, the indicator includes a cover which is formed of a magnification material to prominently display the indicia. The anvil assembly of the stapling device preferably includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head. The retainer clip preferably includes at least one resilient arm which is positioned to engage a cutting ring during unapproximation of the stapling device.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling device comprising:

a handle assembly including a firing trigger;

a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly;

a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions; and

an indicator positioned on the handle assembly and having a bulbous shape, the indicator being movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly to the approximated position to provide a visual indication to a surgeon that the head portion is in the approximated position.

2. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further including a lens positioned to at least partially cover the indicator, the lens being formed from a magnification material.

3. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, further including an approximation mechanism positioned within the handle assembly and extending at least partially through the body portion, the approximation mechanism having a distal end adapted to engage the anvil assembly, the approximation mechanism being movable within the device to move the anvil assembly between the spaced position and the approximated position in relation to the shell assembly.

4. A surgical stapling device according to claim 3, wherein the approximation mechanism is operably associated with the indicator such that movement of the approximation mechanism effects movement of the indicator.

5. A surgical stapling device according to claim 4, further including a slide member operably associated with the indicator and movable within the handle assembly, the slide member being movable from an advanced position to a retracted position to move the indicator from the first position to the second position.

6. A surgical stapling device according to claim 5, wherein the slide member is urged to its advanced position by a biasing member.

7. A surgical stapling device according to claim 5, wherein the approximation mechanism includes a screw member which is linearly movable within the handle assembly, the screw member having an abutment member supported thereon, the abutment member being movable with the screw member into engagement with the slide member to move the slide member from its advanced position to its retracted position to move the indicator from its first position to its second position.

8. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the slide member includes an elongated slot formed therein, the abutment member being movable within the elongated slot into engagement with a proximal end of the slot to move the slide member from its advanced position to its retracted position.

9. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is pivotally supported within the handle assembly.

10. A surgical stapling device according claim 8, wherein the indicator includes a pair of projections and the slide member includes an upturned lip portion positioned between the pair of projections, the slide member upturned lip portion being movable into engagement with one of the pair of projections to move the indicator from its first position to its second position and movable into engagement with the other of the pair of projections to move the indicator from its second position to its first position.

11. A surgical stapling device according to claim 10, wherein the indicator is pivotally supported within the handle assembly.

12. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the shell assembly supports an annular array of staples.

13. An anvil assembly comprising:

an anvil head having a post, an anvil including a plurality of staple forming pockets and a cutting ring slidably positioned about the post from a first position to a second position;

an anvil center rod extending from the post of the anvil head; and

a retainer clip positioned on the post of the anvil head, the retainer clip having at least one resilient arm which in its unbiased condition extends outwardly of the post;

wherein in its first position, the cutting ring is at least partially engaged with the resilient arm to urge the resilient arm out of a path of travel of the cutting ring and in its second position, the resilient arm of the retainer projects into the path of travel of the cutting ring to prevent movement of the cutting ring from its second position back to its first position.

14. An anvil assembly according to claim 13, wherein the post of the anvil head includes a transverse slot formed therein, and the clip retainer is positioned within the transverse slot.

15. An anvil assembly according to claim 14, wherein in its first position the cutting ring is positioned about the transverse slot of the post and in engagement with the resilient arm to urge the resilient arm of the retainer clip into the transverse slot.

16. An anvil assembly according to claim 13, wherein the retainer clip includes a pair of resilient arms.

17. An anvil assembly according to claim 15, wherein the retainer clip includes a pair of resilient arms, one arm extending from each side of the transverse slot when the cutting ring is in its second position.

18. An anvil assembly according to claim 13, wherein the anvil head is pivotally attached to the anvil center rod by a pivot member.

19. An anvil assembly according to claim 18, wherein the retainer clip includes a recess for receiving the pivot member to secure the retainer clip to the post.

20. An anvil assembly according to claim 18, wherein the cutting ring includes a backup plate secured thereto, the backup plate having at least one tab positioned to prevent pivotal movement of the anvil head in relation to anvil center rod when the cutting ring is in its first position.