US 11,684,363 B2Granted

Integrated tissue positioning and jaw alignment features for surgical stapler

AssigneeCilag GmbH International

InventorsRobert J. Simms, Douglas B. Hoffman, Jason E. Zerkle, Charles J. Scheib, Janna B. Volz

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

(a) a body;
and
(b) an end effector in communication with the body, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a stapling jaw defining a longitudinal axis, the stapling jaw comprising a first distal end and a deck,
(ii) an anvil comprising a second distal, wherein the anvil is configured to pivot relative to the stapling jaw from an open configuration to a closed configuration, wherein the anvil and the deck are configured to capture tissue when the anvil is in the closed configuration, and
(iii) a stabilization assembly associated with the first distal end of the stapling jaw and the second distal end of the anvil, wherein the stabilization assembly is configured to laterally align the anvil relative to the stapling jaw, in the closed configuration, by inhibiting lateral pivotal deflection of the anvil relative to the longitudinal axis, the stabilization assembly comprising:
(A) an elongated semi-spherical groove comprising a first length and a first width, and
(B) a protrusion comprising a second length and a second width, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length, wherein the second width complements the first width such that the second width is smaller than or equal to the first width of the elongated semi-spherical groove,
wherein the protrusion is configured to slide into the elongated semi-spherical groove as the anvil pivots into the closed configuration.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/843,953Filed 9 Apr 2020 · continuation
Priority: 28 Feb 2013
Published: US 2020/0297342 A124 Sep 2020
Granted: 27 Jun 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A61B 17/072
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied…
A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
A61B 17/0682
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
A61B 17/07207
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: the staples being applied sequentially

Family

Application13/780,106Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Feb 2013
Application15/335,785Parent of this continuation · filed 27 Oct 2016
US 9,517,065 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Dec 2016
US 2020/0297342 A1Pre-grant publication · published 24 Sep 2020
US 10,687,807 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2014/0239042 A1Published application
US 2017/0042537 A1Published application
US 11,684,363 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.