Surgical stapling instrument with improved firing trigger arrangement

• US 8,453,908 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Bedi, James J., Baxter, Chester O. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Nash, Brian D
• Application Number:
  US12/855,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20110068145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/179.1, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• 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 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 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00429 with a roughened portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00853 low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating (ptf, ptfe, polytetrafluoroethylene)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument including an actuator knob which can be moved from one side of the stapling instrument to another side in order to reposition the actuator knob without having to reposition the stapling instrument within a surgical site. A stapling instrument can include a pusher bar, a housing having a first side and a second side, and an actuator knob rotatably mounted to the pusher bar wherein the actuator knob can be configured to be rotated between a first position in which the actuator knob can be moved along the first side of the housing and a second position where the actuator knob can be moved along a second side of the housing. Alternatively, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise one or more actuator knobs which can be operably engaged and disengaged with a pusher bar in order to selectively utilize the actuator knobs.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one lock rail receiver configured to concurrently receive said first lock rail and said second lock rail,

wherein said at least one lock rail receiver comprises a first bearing surface configured to engage said first lock rail and a second bearing surface configured to engage said second lock rail, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to move said first housing member and said second housing member toward each other.

2. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1, further comprising said anvil.

3. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 2, further comprising said staple cartridge.

4. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one lock rail receiver configured to concurrently receive said first lock rail and said second lock rail,

wherein said at least one lock rail receiver comprises a first bearing surface positioned adjacent to said first lock rail and a second bearing surface positioned adjacent to said second lock rail, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to limit relative movement between said first lock rail and said second lock rail.

5. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 4, wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface define opposite sides of a channel.

6. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one lock rail receiver,

wherein said first lock rail and said second lock rail extend from said first side, wherein said at least one lock rail receiver is configured to receive said first lock rail and said second lock rail when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said first housing member further comprises a third lock rail extending from said second side, wherein said second housing member further comprises a fourth lock rail extending from said second side, and wherein said at least one lock rail receiver is configured to receive said third lock rail and said fourth lock rail when said actuator is in said second position.

7. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a first housing member, comprising;

a first proximal end portion;

a first distal end portion;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first longitudinal lock portion extending from said first proximal end portion toward said first distal end portion;

a second housing member, comprising;

a second proximal end portion;

a second distal end portion;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second longitudinal lock portion extending from said second proximal end portion toward said second distal end portion;

a drive member configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one actuator lock portion configured to concurrently be aligned with said first longitudinal lock portion and said second longitudinal lock portion,

wherein said at least one actuator lock portion comprises a first bearing surface configured to engage said first longitudinal lock portion and a second bearing surface configured to engage said second longitudinal lock portion, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to move said first housing member and said second housing member toward each other.

8. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a first housing member, comprising;

a first proximal end portion;

a first distal end portion;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first longitudinal lock portion extending from said first proximal end portion toward said first distal end portion;

a second housing member, comprising;

a second proximal end portion;

a second distal end portion;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second longitudinal lock portion extending from said second proximal end portion toward said second distal end portion;

a drive member configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one actuator lock portion configured to concurrently be aligned with said first longitudinal lock portion and said second longitudinal lock portion,

wherein said at least one actuator lock portion comprises a first bearing surface positioned adjacent to said first longitudinal lock portion and a second bearing surface positioned adjacent to said second longitudinal lock portion, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to limit relative movement between said first housing member and said second housing member.

9. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 8, wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface define opposite sides of a channel.

10. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 8, further comprising said staple cartridge.

11. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 8, further comprising said anvil.

12. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a first housing member, comprising;

a first proximal end portion;

a first distal end portion;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first longitudinal lock portion extending from said first proximal end portion toward said first distal end portion;

a second housing member, comprising;

a second proximal end portion;

a second distal end portion;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second longitudinal lock portion extending from said second proximal end portion toward said second distal end portion;

a drive member configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises at least one actuator lock portion,

wherein said first longitudinal lock portion and said second longitudinal lock portion extend from said first side, wherein said at least one actuator lock portion is configured to receive said first longitudinal lock portion and said second longitudinal lock portion when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said first housing member further comprises a third longitudinal lock portion extending from said second side, wherein said second housing member further comprises a fourth longitudinal lock portion extending from said second side, and wherein said at least one actuator lock rail portion is further configured to be aligned with said third longitudinal lock portion and said fourth longitudinal lock portion when said actuator is in said second position.

13. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises capturing means for capturing said first lock rail and said second lock rail,

wherein said capturing means comprises a first bearing surface configured to engage said first lock rail and a second bearing surface configured to engage said second lock rail, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to move said first housing member and said second housing member toward each other.

14. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises capturing means for capturing said first lock rail and said second lock rail,

wherein said capturing means comprises a first bearing surface positioned adjacent to said first lock rail and a second bearing surface positioned adjacent to said second lock rail, and wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface are configured to limit relative movement between said first lock rail and said second lock rail.

15. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 14, wherein said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface define opposite sides of a channel.

16. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a first side;

a second side;

a longitudinal axis;

a first housing member, comprising;

a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to operably support a staple cartridge; and

a first lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a second housing member, comprising;

a jaw member configured to operably support an anvil configured to deform staples deployed from the staple cartridge; and

a second lock rail extending along said longitudinal axis;

a pusher bar configured to move a staple driver relative to said staple cartridge attachment portion and said jaw member; and

an actuator configured to receive a force thereto, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said first side when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said actuator is configured to be moved along said second side when said actuator is in said second position, and wherein said actuator further comprises capturing means for capturing said first lock rail and said second lock rail,

wherein said first lock rail and said second lock rail extend from said first side, wherein said capturing means is configured to receive said first lock rail and said second lock rail when said actuator is in said first position, wherein said first housing member further comprises a third lock rail extending from said second side, wherein said second housing member further comprises a fourth lock rail extending from said second side, and wherein said capturing means is configured to receive said third lock rail and said fourth lock rail when said actuator is in said second position.

17. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 16, further comprising said staple cartridge.

18. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 16, further comprising said anvil.