SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS WITH INTERLOCKABLE FIRING SYSTEM

• US 20090206130A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hall, Steven G., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Zwolinski, Andrew M., Messerly, Jeffrey D., Tanguay, Randall J., Robertson, Galen C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,866,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.200
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00371 Multiple actuation, e.g. pushing of two buttons, or two working tips becoming operational
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 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 2017/00946 malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle and a stationary handle housing, the movable handle being movable through actuation strokes relative to said stationary handle housing;

an actuation shaft supported at least in part within said stationary handle housing and mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of said movable handle through said actuation strokes;

a control rod assembly having a proximal end interfacing with said actuation shaft, said control rod assembly protruding distally from said handle housing and having a distal end configured to be operably attached to a disposable loading unit;

a firing lock out assembly supported at least in part within said stationary handle housing and configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of said actuation shaft in a distal direction; and

a firing release trigger supported on said movable handle for travel therewith and interfacing with said firing lockout assembly to selectively release said firing lockout assembly to permit said actuation shaft to move longitudinally in said distal direction upon manipulation of said movable handle.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movable handle and said firing release trigger can be simultaneously actuated by a single hand.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said firing lock out assembly comprises a locking gate movably supported by said handle housing, said locking gate communicating with said firing release trigger and being selectively movable between a first position wherein said locking gate engages said actuation shaft to prevent longitudinal movement thereof and disengaged positions in response to actuation of said firing release trigger.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a linkage assembly operably interfacing with said release trigger and said locking gate.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said linkage assembly comprises:

a gate gear operably supported by said handle housing, said gate gear having gate gear teeth thereon in meshing engagement with a gear rack on said locking gate;

a release pawl operably supported by said handle assembly and being linked to said gate gear to selectively apply actuation motions to said gate gear; and

a first gear operably supported by said handle housing and linked to said release pawl, said first gear having at least some first gear teeth thereon configured to be engaged by release gear teeth on said firing release trigger when said firing release trigger is actuated such that when said firing release trigger is actuated, said first gear transfers an actuation motion to said release pawl which, in turn, transmits another actuation motion to said gate gear which, in turn, actuates said locking gate.

6. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 3 wherein said firing release trigger is coupled to a flexible actuation member supported within said handle housing for transmitting actuation motions from said firing release trigger to said locking gate.

7. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a gate gear operably supported by said handle housing, said gate gear having gate gear teeth thereon in meshing engagement with a gear rack on said locking gate, said gate gear communicating with said flexible actuation member to receive said at least one actuation motion from said firing release trigger.

8. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a linkage member coupled to said gate gear and interfacing with said flexible actuation member to transfer said at least one actuation motion from said flexible actuation member to said gate gear.

9. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1;

sterilizing the surgical stapling apparatus; and

storing the surgical stapling apparatus in a sterile container.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising repairing or replacing a portion of said surgical stapling apparatus prior to said sterilizing.

11. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical stapling apparatus of claim 6;

sterilizing the surgical stapling apparatus; and

storing the surgical stapling apparatus in a sterile container.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising repairing or replacing a portion of said surgical stapling apparatus, prior to said sterilizing.

19. A method of operating a surgical instrument, said method comprising:

providing a surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1;

operably coupling a disposable loading unit to the surgical stapling apparatus;

manipulating the movable handle to clamp tissue with the disposable loading unit;

actuating the firing release trigger; and

manipulating the movable handle to cause the actuation shaft to move distally in the stationary handle housing and apply actuation motions to the control rod assembly.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said operably coupling comprises operably coupling an articulatable disposable loading unit to the surgical stapling apparatus.

13. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle and a stationary handle housing, the movable handle being movable through actuation strokes relative to said stationary handle housing;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and having a distal end adapted to releasably engage both articulating and non-articulating disposable loading units and transmit actuation motions thereto;

an actuation member supported in said stationary handle housing and configured to apply a said actuation motion to said elongated body in response to manipulation of said movable handle through said actuation strokes;

a firing lock out assembly supported at least in part within said stationary handle housing and configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of said actuation shaft in a distal direction; and

a firing release trigger supported on said movable handle for travel therewith and interfacing with said firing lockout assembly to selectively release said firing lockout assembly to generate said actuation motions upon manipulation of said movable handle.

14. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13 wherein said movable handle and said firing release trigger can be simultaneously actuated by a single hand.

15. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 14 wherein said firing release trigger is configured to be actuated by pulling the firing release trigger toward a portion of the movable handle.

16. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13;

sterilizing the surgical stapling apparatus; and

storing the surgical stapling apparatus in a sterile container.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising repairing or replacing a portion of said surgical stapling apparatus, prior to said sterilizing.

21. A method of operating a surgical instrument, said method comprising:

providing a surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13;

operably coupling a disposable loading unit to the surgical stapling apparatus;

manipulating the movable handle to clamp tissue with the disposable loading unit;

actuating the firing release trigger; and

manipulating the movable handle to cause the actuation shaft to move distally in the stationary handle housing and apply actuation motions to the control rod assembly.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said operably coupling comprises operably coupling an articulatable disposable loading unit to the surgical stapling apparatus.

18. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle and a stationary handle housing, the movable handle being movable through actuation strokes relative to said stationary handle housing;

actuation means supported in said handle assembly for generating actuation motions in response to manipulation of said movable handle;

control means interfacing with said actuation means for transferring said actuation motions to a disposable loading unit operably coupled thereto;

means for selectively preventing said actuation means from generating said actuation motions; and

trigger means on said movable handle for controlling said means for selectively preventing.