Surgical stapling apparatus
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorsKeith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph Orban III, Randolph F. Lehn
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Abstract
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
Claims21
A surgical apparatus comprising:
- a handle assembly;
- an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis;
- a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis, the tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and being movable between a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;
- a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the drive member having a distal end which is movable in relation to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly;
- and
- at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate having a planar surface substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out plate is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.
In a surgical apparatus including an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly pivotally supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis and a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, wherein the tool assembly is pivotal from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a position disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising
- at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate being substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out plate is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.