Surgical stapling apparatus with control features

• US 8,113,410 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• 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., Tanguay, Randall J., Messerly, Jeffrey D., Robertson, Galen C., Zwolinski, Andrew M., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Hueil, Geoffrey C., Ortiz, Mark S., Hoffman, Douglas B., Weizman, Patrick A., Bruewer, Dean B., Blair, Gregory B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/023,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20110132962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/180.1, 227/178.1, 227/175.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2901 Details of shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2906 Multiple forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• 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 2017/320052 : 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 50/00 : Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers drapes specially adapted for instruments A61B46/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 : Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A disposable surgical stapling unit configured for use with an actuation device that has an elongated shaft assembly that defines an elongate axis, the disposable surgical stapling unit comprising:

a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein;

a first articulation joint coupled to said staple cartridge carrier to enable said staple cartridge carrier to be selectively pivotable about a first articulation axis upon application of a first articulation motion to said staple cartridge carrier;

a tubular spacer member coupled to said first articulation joint;

a second articulation joint coupled to said tubular spacer member such that said first and second articulation joints are longitudinally spaced from each other, said second articulation joint facilitating further articulation of said staple cartridge carrier upon application of at least one second articulation motion thereto;

a housing coupled to said second articulation joint and having a proximal end configured to be removably coupled to the elongated shaft;

a first articulation link communicating with said staple cartridge carrier and configured for operable engagement with a first articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply said first articulation motion thereto; and

a drive member operably supported within said staple cartridge carrier, said drive member comprising;

a cutting edge configured to incise tissue; and

a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a control member operably supported within the elongated shaft to apply actuation motion thereto.

2. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 1 wherein said second articulation joint further comprises:

a second articulation link operably interacting with said second articulation joint and configured for operable engagement with a second articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply one of said second articulation motions to said second articulation joint; and

a third articulation link operably interacting with said second articulation joint and configured for operable engagement with a third articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply another one of said second articulation motions to said second articulation joint.

3. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 2 wherein said second articulation joint comprises:

a body portion having a centrally disposed spine defined by a plurality of kerfs and ribs formed on each lateral side of said body portion;

a first articulation plate supported within said body portion on a first lateral side thereof; and

a second articulation plate supported within said body portion on a second lateral side thereof.

4. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 3 wherein said first and second articulation plates are fabricated from substantially inelastic material.

5. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 1 further comprising an anvil movably supported relative to said staple cartridge carrier and being selectively movable relative thereto upon application of anvil control motions thereto by the actuation device.

6. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 1 wherein said first articulation axis is substantially transverse to said elongate axis.

7. A disposable surgical stapling unit configured for use with an actuation device that has an elongated shaft assembly that defines an elongate axis, the disposable surgical stapling unit comprising:

a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein;

a first articulation joint coupled to said staple cartridge carrier to enable said staple cartridge carrier to be selectively pivotable about a first articulation axis upon application of a first articulation motion from the actuation device to said staple cartridge carrier;

a tubular spacer member coupled to said first articulation joint;

a second articulation joint coupled to said tubular spacer member such that said first and second articulation joints are longitudinally spaced from each other, said second articulation joint facilitating further articulation of said staple cartridge carrier upon application of at least one second articulation motion thereto that is not generated by the actuation device;

a housing coupled to said second articulation joint and having a proximal end configured to be removably coupled to the elongated shaft;

a first articulation link communicating with said staple cartridge carrier and configured for operable engagement with a first articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply said first articulation motion thereto; and

a drive member operably supported within said staple cartridge carrier, said drive member comprising;

a cutting edge configured to incise tissue; and

a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a control member operably supported within the elongated shaft to apply actuation motion thereto.

8. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 7 wherein said second articulation joint comprises:

a body portion having a centrally disposed spine defined by a plurality of kerfs and ribs formed on each lateral side of said body portion;

a first articulation plate supported within said body portion on a first lateral side thereof; and

a second articulation plate supported within said body portion on a second lateral side thereof.

9. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 8 wherein said first and second articulation plates are fabricated from substantially inelastic material.

10. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 7 further comprising an anvil movably supported relative to said staple cartridge carrier and being selectively movable relative thereto upon application of anvil control motions thereto by the actuation device.

11. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 7 wherein said first articulation axis is substantially transverse to said elongate axis.

12. A disposable surgical stapling unit configured for use with an actuation device that has an elongated shaft assembly that defines an elongate axis, the disposable surgical stapling unit comprising:

a staple cartridge carrier;

a staple cartridge operably supported within said staple cartridge carrier;

an anvil supported for pivotal travel relative to said staple cartridge upon application of opening and closing motions applied thereto from the actuation device;

a first articulation joint coupled to said staple cartridge carrier to enable said staple cartridge carrier to be selectively pivoted about a first articulation axis upon application of a first articulation motion to said staple cartridge carrier;

a first articulation link communicating with said staple cartridge carrier and configured for operable engagement with a first articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply said first articulation motion thereto;

a tubular spacer member coupled to said first articulation joint;

a second articulation joint coupled to said tubular spacer member such that said first and second articulation joints are longitudinally spaced from each other, said second articulation joint coupled facilitating further articulation of said staple cartridge carrier upon application of at least one second articulation motion thereto;

a housing coupled to said second articulation joint and having a proximal end configured to be removably coupled to the elongated shaft;

a drive member operably supported within said staple cartridge carrier, said drive member comprising;

a cutting edge configured to incise tissue; and

a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a control member operably supported within the elongated shaft to apply actuation motion thereto.

13. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 12 wherein said second articulation joint further comprises:

a second articulation link operably interacting with said second articulation joint and configured for operable engagement with a second articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply one of said second articulation motions to said second articulation joint; and

a third articulation link operably interacting with said second articulation joint and configured for operable engagement with a third articulation member within the elongated shaft to apply another one of said second articulation motions to said second articulation joint.

14. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 13 wherein said second articulation joint comprises:

a body portion having a centrally disposed spine defined by a plurality of kerfs and ribs formed on each lateral side of said body portion;

a first articulation plate supported within said body portion on a first lateral side thereof; and

a second articulation plate supported within said body portion on a second lateral side thereof.

15. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 14 wherein said first and second articulation plates are fabricated from substantially inelastic material.

16. The disposable surgical stapling unit of claim 13 wherein said first articulation axis is substantially transverse to said elongate axis.