INTERLOCK ASSEMBLIES FOR REPLACEABLE LOADING UNIT

• US 20150320420A1
• Filed: 05/09/2014
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Penna, Christopher, Mozdzierz, Patrick, Scirica, Paul, Williams, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 9,913,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge

Abstract

Interlock assemblies for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument are provided. The interlock assemblies are formed on a proximal end of a shell member and on a distal end of an adapter assembly. The interlock assemblies may include a collar member for selectively securing the shell member to the adapter assembly. The collar member may be mounted on the shell member or on the adapter assembly.

Claims

1. An interlock assembly for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument, the interlock assembly comprising:

a shell member having a proximal end including a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion and a distal end supporting a staple cartridge defining a plurality of staple retaining slots arranged in a pair of concentric rows;

a collar member received about the first and second cylindrical portion and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the collar member defining a plurality of slots; and

an adapter assembly including a distal end selectively securable to the proximal end of the shell member, the adapter assembly including a plurality of lugs selectively receivable within the plurality of slots when the collar member is in the unlocked position and secured within the slots when the collar member is in the locked position.

2. The interlock assembly of claim 1, further including a torsion spring operably received about the first cylindrical portion for biasing the collar member to the locked position.

3. The interlock assembly of claim 2, wherein the torsion spring includes a first end received within an opening in the shell member and a second end engaging a tab formed on collar member.

4. The interlock assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar member includes a pair of tabs received corresponding notches formed in the second cylindrical portion of the shell member for limiting movement of the collar member relative to the shell member.

5. The interlock assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the adapter assembly is receivable about the first cylindrical portion of the shell member.

6. The interlock assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical portion includes a pair of tabs configured for receipt within a pair of longitudinal slots defined by the distal end of the adapter assembly.

7. The interlock assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar member includes an outer surface configured to facilitate operable engagement by a user.

8. The interlock assembly of claim 7, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of ridges.

9. An interlock assembly for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument, the interlock assembly comprising:

a shell member having a proximal end defining a pair of openings and a distal end supporting a staple cartridge defining a plurality of staple retaining slots arranged in a pair of concentric rows; and

an adapter assembly including a distal end securable to the proximal end of the shell member, the adapter assembly including a pair of arms each including a protrusion of a free end thereof, wherein each of the protrusions are received within the pair of openings when the distal end of the adapter assembly is received within the proximal end of the shell member.

10. The interlock assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal end of the adapter assembly defines a ledge configured to engage a proximal surface of the proximal end of the shell member when the distal end of the adapter assembly is received within the proximal end of the shell member to facilitate alignment of the pair of protrusions with the pair of openings.

11. The interlock assembly of claim 9, wherein the pair of arms are flexible radially inward.

12. The interlock assembly of claim 9, wherein the pair of arms are diametrically opposed.

13. An interlock assembly for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument, the interlock assembly comprising:

a shell member having a proximal end including a first threaded portion and a distal end supporting a staple cartridge defining a plurality of staple retaining slots arranged in a pair of concentric rows;

an adapter assembly including a distal end having a flange receivable within the proximal end of the shell member and a second threaded portion disposed proximal of the flange; and

a collar member received about the distal end of the adapter assembly and including an internally threaded portion in engagement with the second threaded portion, the collar member being moveable into selective engagement with the first threaded portion when the flange of the adapter assembly is received within the proximal end of the shell member.

14. The interlock assembly of claim 13, wherein the collar member includes an outer surface configured to facilitate selective engagement by a user.

15. The interlock assembly of claim 14, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of ridges.