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US 11,375,999 B2Granted
Surgical stapler with firing lock mechanism
AssigneeApplied Medical Resources Corporation
InventorsMatthew A. Wixey, Gary M. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.
Claims12
A stapler comprising:
- a handle assembly comprising:
- a stationary handle;
- and
- a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary handle;
- a shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end with the handle assembly connected thereto to a distal end;
- a cartridge support extending within the shaft from a proximal end within the handle assembly to a distal end at the distal end of the shaft, the cartridge support movable within the shaft by pivotal movement of the trigger relative to the stationary handle;
- a capture member pusher extending within the shaft from a proximal end within the handle assembly to the distal end of the shaft;
- and
- a pivot lever positioned in the handle assembly, the pivot lever having a first end pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the capture member pusher and a second end opposite the first end, the second end operatively coupled to the cartridge support such that longitudinal movement of the cartridge support pivots the pivot lever to drive the capture member pusher generally longitudinally to a deployed position,
- wherein the proximal end of the cartridge support further comprises a slot formed therein;
- wherein the second end of the pivot lever comprises a pin extending therefrom coupled to the slot in the cartridge support;
- and
- wherein the pin extending from the second end of the pivot lever is releasably coupled to the slot formed in the cartridge support such that the pin moves out of the slot formed in the cartridge support upon further longitudinal advancement of the cartridge support once the capture member pusher is in the deployed position.
10 more elements
A stapler comprising:
- a handle assembly comprising:
- a stationary handle;
- and
- a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary handle;
- a shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end with the handle assembly connected thereto to a distal end;
- a cartridge support extending within the shaft from a proximal end within the handle assembly to the distal end of the shaft, the cartridge support movable within the shaft by pivotal movement of the trigger relative to the stationary handle, and the proximal end of the cartridge support comprising a plurality of slots;
- and
- a latch selectively engageable in each one of the plurality of slots to maintain the cartridge support in a corresponding predetermined position,
- wherein at least one of the plurality of slots comprises a sloped surface such that longitudinal movement of the cartridge support in a first direction advances the latch over the sloped surface to disengage the latch from the at least one of the plurality of slots, and the at least one of the plurality of slots further comprises an edge opposite the sloped surface such that longitudinal movement of the cartridge support in a second direction opposite the first direction is prevented by engagement of the latch with the edge.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.