Damage resistant anvil assembly
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorJustin Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An anvil assembly is disclosed that includes an anvil shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a first longitudinal bore. The proximal portion includes a plurality of flexible legs that define the first longitudinal bore dimensioned to receive a trocar of a stapling device. An anvil head assembly is secured to the distal portion of the anvil shaft and supports an annular anvil plate that a plurality of staple deforming pockets. The anvil assembly also includes a rigid collet defining a second longitudinal bore that is configured to receive the trocar of the stapling device. The rigid collet is supported within the first longitudinal bore and is positioned to prevent crushing of the plurality of flexible legs when the anvil assembly is manipulated with a grasper.
Claims19
An anvil assembly comprising:
- an anvil shaft defining a first longitudinal bore, the anvil shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including a plurality of flexible legs that define the first longitudinal bore;
- an anvil head assembly secured to the distal portion of the anvil shaft, the anvil head assembly supporting an anvil plate defining a plurality of staple deforming pockets;
- and
- a stabilizing collet defining a second longitudinal bore, the stabilizing collet supported within the first longitudinal bore and being positioned to prevent damage to the plurality of flexible legs.
A surgical stapler comprising:
- a stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion that extends distally from the handle assembly, a shell assembly including a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples, and a trocar extending from the shell assembly;
- and
- an anvil assembly including an anvil shaft and an anvil head assembly, the anvil shaft defining a first longitudinal bore configured to receive the trocar, the anvil shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including a plurality of flexible legs that define the first longitudinal bore, the anvil head assembly secured to the distal portion of the anvil shaft and supporting an anvil plate defining a plurality of staple deforming pockets, and a stabilizing collet defining a second longitudinal bore configured to receive the trocar, the collet supported within the first longitudinal bore and being positioned to prevent damage to the plurality of flexible legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.