EEA Tilt Top Anvil With Ratchet/Locking Mechanism

• US 20130105544A1
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mozdzierz, Patrick, Olson, Lee Ann
• Granted Patent: US 9,016,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil

Abstract

A tilt anvil assembly is disclosed which includes a center rod and a head assembly pivotally mounted to the center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post and an anvil plate. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod in discrete steps between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position via a plurality of partially tilted positions. The head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.

Claims

1. A tilt anvil assembly comprising:

a center rod; and

a head assembly including a housing, a post, and an anvil plate having staple deforming pockets, the head assembly being pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod in discrete steps between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position.

2. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head assembly has a plurality of partially tilted positions relative to the center rod between the non-tilted position and the fully tilted position.

3. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.

4. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 1, including a ratchet member to effect incremental pivotal movement of the head assembly relative to the center rod in discrete steps.

5. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 4, wherein the ratchet member includes a collar member configured to selectively engage the post during pivotal movement of the post.

6. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 5, wherein the post includes a side surface defining a curved profile and forming an obtuse angle with respect to a proximal surface of the post.

7. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 6, wherein the side surface includes a plurality of teeth at least partially along the length of the side surface, and each tooth extending in a direction traverse or perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the side surface.

8. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 7, wherein the side surface includes a notch between each pair of adjacent teeth.

9. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 5, wherein the collar member includes a spring member configured to selectively engage the post.

10. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spring member comprises deformable, elastic and resilient materials.

11. A tilt anvil assembly comprising:

a center rod assembly including a collar member having a spring member hingedly attached thereto; and

a head assembly including a housing, a post, and an anvil plate having staple deforming pockets, the head assembly being pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position, the post including a plurality of teeth at least partially along one side thereof;

wherein the spring member of the collar member is configured to selectively engage the teeth of the post during pivotal movement of the head assembly.

12. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 11, wherein the head assembly has a plurality of partially tilted positions relative to the center rod between the non-tilted position and the fully tilted position.

13. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 11, wherein the head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.

14. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 11, wherein the head assembly further includes a pivotal latch member positioned to prevent movement of the head assembly from the non-tilted position.

15. A tilt anvil assembly according to claim 11, further including a plunger which is urged by a biasing member into engagement with the post to effect pivotal movement of the head assembly relative to the center rod assembly.

16. A method for pivoting an anvil head assembly of a surgical anvil assembly comprising the steps of:

providing an anvil assembly including a rod and a head assembly pivotally secured to the rod, the head assembly movable between a non-tilted operative position and a fully tilted position via a plurality of partially tilted positions; and

locking the head assembly at a partially tilted position.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of firing the stapler to advance surgical staplers into tissue and unapproximating the anvil and the head assembly to enable the head assembly to tilt to a partially tilted position.