Articulated surgical instrument with improved jaw closure mechanism

#This invention relates generally to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to laparoscopic surgical instruments having an articulated operating tip and improved jaw closure mechanisms.

#Many traditional surgical procedures have required a surgeon to open up internal, operating sites by making relatively large incisions. More recently, however, surgeons are developing new techniques that enable many "open" surgical procedures to be performed laparoscopically. In laparoscopic procedures, a few relatively small incisions are made in the body cavity. Smaller incisions greatly reduce trauma to a patient and speed recovery.

#Elongated cylindrical tubes, known in the art as cannulas, are placed in each incision. The design and use of cannulas is disclosed, for example, in applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/189,318, which is hereby incorporated by reference. A laparoscopic, miniature video camera, or other viewing device is inserted through one of the cannulas so that the surgeon can see the operating site. Surgical instruments then are passed through the other cannulas to repair or remove tissue in the body cavity.

#FIG. 1 is a front, left side and partially exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment 10 of the subject invention, wherein instrument 10 is a laparoscopic linear stapler/divider with a rotating shaft and an articulating tip having replaceable staple cartridges;

#FIG. 2 is a left elevational view of instrument 10 showing the instrument 10 with its jaws in the open position;

#FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the instrument 10 with its jaws in the clamped or closed position;

#A laparoscopic instrument 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-7. The illustrated embodiment 10 of the invention is configured as an articulated linear stapler which is capable of both stapling and cutting tissue. The instrument 10 is designed for use in bowel reconstructions and other surgical procedures where it is necessary to join and divide body tissue. Bowel reconstruction, for example, is a procedure in which diseased portions of the bowel are removed. The bowel is a tubular shaped organ through which body wastes are processed. It is necessary to close off portions of the bowel before tissue is cut so as to minimize bleeding and discharge of bowel contents into a patient's body cavity.

#Consequently, the instrument 10 lays down opposing rows of staples to hemostatically close, for example, a portion of the bowel at two parallel seams. In the same operation, the instrument 10 then divides that portion of the bowel which is between the opposing stapled seams. Since that part of the bowel adjacent to the incision in large part has been closed by the rows of staples, discharge of bowel contents is minimized.

#Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that the invention is not limited to the disclosed linear stapler 10 in particular or to linear staplers in general. On the contrary, the teachings of the instant invention can be employed in articulated laparoscopic instruments of widely varying designs, purposes, and uses without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. For example, graspers, scissors, and dissectors can be constructed in accordance with the subject invention. Linear staplers which do not simultaneously divide tissue may be constructed as well.