# US 2010/0072253 A1 · Surgical stapler having an intermediate closing position > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0072253 A1 - Document ID: US20100072253A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/234,143 - Filed: 2008-09-19 - Published: 2010-03-25 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-19 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III; James J. Bedi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100072253A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/2909: {Handles} - A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 2017/00446: {for use only by lefthanded or only by righthanded persons} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/0725: {with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter} - A61B 2090/0801: {Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking} - A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs} - A61B 2090/0813: {Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical stapling instrument including first and second jaw members which can be pivotably connected to each other and secured in position relative to each other by a latch. The first and second jaw members can include first and second locking members which can allow the first and second jaw members to be rotated relative to one another but prevent, or at least inhibit, the first and second jaw members from being separated from one another. Such embodiments may be particularly useful in circumstances when the latch is in a partially-closed position and the first and second jaw members are being manipulated to position tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members can be sufficiently connected together in order to prevent, or at least reduce the possibility of, the first and second jaw members from becoming detached from one another and exposing a cutting member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including: a proximal end; a distal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including: a proximal end; a distal end; and an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion at a location which is intermediate its proximal end and its distal end, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin cannot be disengaged from said slot when said latch is in said partially-closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said latch is rotatably mounted to said first handle portion, wherein said second handle portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said projection to move said anvil into close opposition to said staple cartridge channel when said latch is moved between said open position and said closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said pin and said slot are configured to comprise a pivot about which said second handle portion can be rotated toward said first handle portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said first handle portion includes said pin, wherein said second handle portion includes said slot, and wherein said slot includes an open end and a closed end, and wherein said open end is proximal with respect to said closed end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said pin can be disengaged from said slot when said latch is in said open position. ### Claim 6 A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including: a proximal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including: a proximal end; and an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin can be disengaged from said slot only when said latch is in said fully open position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The surgical stapler of claim 6, wherein said latch is rotatably mounted to said first handle portion, wherein said second handle portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said projection to move said anvil into close opposition to said staple cartridge channel when said latch is moved between said fully open position and said fully closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical stapler of claim 7, wherein the engagement between said latch and said projection prevents said pin from being disengaged from said slot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The surgical stapler of claim 6, wherein said pin and said slot are configured to comprise a pivot about which said second handle portion can be rotated toward said first handle portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The surgical stapler of claim 6, wherein said first handle portion includes said pin, wherein said second handle portion includes said slot, and wherein said slot includes an open end and a closed end, and wherein said open end is proximal with respect to said closed end. ### Claim 11 A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including: a proximal end; a first lock portion; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including: a proximal end a second lock portion; and an anvil, wherein said first lock portion is configured to be engaged with said second lock portion to pivotably couple said proximal end of said first handle portion and said proximal end of said second handle portion; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion and move said anvil into position relative to said staple cartridge channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said first lock portion and said second lock portion are configured to prevent said first handle portion from being disengaged from said second handle portion when said latch is in said partially-closed position and said closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said latch is rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and wherein said first lock portion and said second lock portion are configured to be disengaged from each other only when said latch is in said fully open position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein said latch is rotatably mounted to said first handle portion, wherein said second handle portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said projection to move said anvil into close opposition to said staple cartridge channel when said latch is moved between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The surgical stapler of claim 11, wherein one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin, wherein the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot, and wherein said pin and said slot are configured to comprise a pivot about which said second handle portion can be rotated toward said first handle portion. ### Claim 16 A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including: a proximal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including: a proximal end; and an anvil; pivot means for pivotably coupling said proximal end of said first handle portion to said proximal end of said second handle portion; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first portion and said second portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first portion and said second portion and move said anvil into position relative to said staple cartridge channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said first handle portion cannot be disengaged from said second handle portion when said latch is in said partially-closed position and said closed position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein said latch is rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, wherein said first handle portion can be disengaged from said second handle portion only when said latch is in said fully open position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein said latch is rotatably mounted to said first handle portion, wherein said second handle portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said projection to move said anvil into close opposition to said staple cartridge channel when said latch is moved between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin, wherein the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot, and wherein said pin and said slot comprise said pivot means. ### Claim 21 A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including an anvil; a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, and wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position and a closed position; and a biasing member configured to bias said anvil away from said staple cartridge channel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein said biasing member is positioned intermediate said first handle portion and said second handle portion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein said latch is rotatable into a partially-closed position, and wherein said biasing member is configured to position said anvil relative to said staple cartridge such there is a tissue-receiving gap present between said anvil and said staple cartridge channel when said latch is in said partially-closed position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein said first handle portion comprises a proximal end including a first lock portion, wherein said second handle portion comprises a proximal end including a second lock portion, and wherein said first lock portion is configured to be engaged with said second lock portion to pivotably couple said proximal end of said first handle portion and said proximal end of said second handle portion.