SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORTS FOR A FLEXIBLE DRIVE MECHANISM

• US 20160262760A1
• Filed: 05/24/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Morgan, Jerome R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,750,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3456 blunt
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can also be configured to receive a portion of the driver operably engaged with cutting member and support the driver when it moves the cutting member. In at least one embodiment, the slot is defined by at least one radius of curvature.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:

a channel containing a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein;

an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil comprises;

a proximal portion;

a distal portion; and

a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable relative to said channel between a first position and a second position, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge are configured to hold the tissue therebetween when said anvil is in said second position, and wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said anvil are closer to said staple cartridge than said middle portion when said anvil is in said second position; and

a connection, wherein said connection is configured to permit said anvil to pivot toward said channel, and wherein said connection is configured to permit said anvil to tilt relative to said channel.

22. A stapling assembly for stapling tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:

a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein;

an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil comprises;

a proximal portion;

a distal portion; and

a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable relative to said staple cartridge between a first position and a second position, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge are configured to hold the tissue therebetween when said anvil is in said second position, and wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said anvil are closer to said staple cartridge than said middle portion when said anvil is in said second position;

wherein said anvil is pivotally movable relative to said staple cartridge; and

wherein said anvil is tiltable relative to said staple cartridge.

23. An end effector for stapling tissue, said end effector comprising:

a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein; and

an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil comprises;

a proximal portion;

a distal portion; and

a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein one of said anvil and said staple cartridge is movable relative to the other one of said anvil and said staple cartridge between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge are configured to hold the tissue therebetween in said closed configuration, and wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said anvil are closer to said staple cartridge than said middle portion in said closed configuration;

wherein said anvil is pivotally movable relative to said staple cartridge; and

wherein said anvil is asymmetrically movable relative to said staple cartridge.