US 7,055,730 B2 · Surgical fastener applying apparatus

Abstract

An improved surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section with the cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position. The apparatus includes a replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out The safety lock-out is pivotable between an initial position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position is permitted and a blocking position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to return them to their fully clamped position after the plurality of staples have been at least partially fired is prevented. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted firing lever for moving a pair of camming surfaces longitudinally. In addition, each of the presently disclosed cartridge and anvil half-sections of the fastener applying apparatus includes a clamping lever, which clamping levers are configured and adapted to enable the applying apparatus to be opened by either one of the cartridge half-section and the anvil half-section.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A replaceable staple cartridge assembly for use in a surgical fastener applying apparatus having a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section, the cartridge half-section and anvil half-section being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position, wherein the staple cartridge assembly comprises:

a plurality of surgical staples abutting a plurality of staple pusher members;
and
a safety lock-out, said safety lock-out being pivotable between an initial position permitting a relative movement of said cartridge half-section and anvil half-section to said clamped position and a blocking position preventing a relative movement of said cartridge half-section and anvil half-section from returning to said clamped position after said plurality of staples have been at least partially fired, wherein said safety lock-out is pivotably connected to said replaceable staple cartridge assembly, said safety lock-out includes a transverse horizontal surface formed on an underside thereof which transverse horizontal surface engages a hook formed on an upper edge surface of a knife thereby retaining said safety lock-out in said lock-out position, wherein said knife is slidably mounted within a slotted track formed in said cartridge assembly.

A surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising:

a cartridge half-section;
an anvil half-section, said cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position;
a replaceable staple cartridge assembly receivable in said cartridge half-section, said cartridge assembly including a plurality of surgical staples abutting a plurality of staple pusher members and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out, wherein said safety lockout is pivotable between an initial position permitting a relative movement of said cartridge and anvil half-sections to said clamped position and a blocking position preventing relative movement of said cartridge and anvil half-sections from returning to said clamped position after said staples have been at least partially fired, wherein said safety lock-out pivotably connected to said replaceable staple cartridge assembly;
a pair of camming surface extensions extending from a cam bar arrangement and positioned within said cartridge half-section;
and
a pivotably mounted firing lever operatively associated with said pair of camming surface extensions to move said pair of camming surface extensions longitudinally to thereby sequentially fire said plurality of surgical staples in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of said pair of camming surface extensions, wherein the firing lever is pivotable to extend from a selected one of a right and a left side of the apparatus.

3 more elements

A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section, the cartridge half-section and anvil half-section being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position, wherein the cartridge half-section comprises:

a cam bar arrangement slidably coupled to said cartridge half-section, wherein said cam bar arrangement includes a pair of camming surface extensions;
and
a rocker pivotably mounted to said cartridge half-section, said rocker including a downwardly extending blocking surface and being biased toward a lock-out position, wherein said blocking surface engages said cam bar arrangement to prevent a longitudinal movement of said cam bar arrangement and said camming surface extensions.

A surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising:

a cartridge half-section;
an anvil half-section, said cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position;
a replaceable staple cartridge assembly receivable in said cartridge half-section, said cartridge assembly including a plurality of surgical staples abutting a plurality of staple pusher members;
a pair of camming surface extensions extending from a cam bar arrangement and positioned within said cartridge half-section;
and
a pivotably mounted firing lever operatively associated with said pair of camming surface extensions to move said pair of camming surface extensions longitudinally to thereby sequentially fire said plurality of surgical staples in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of said pair of camming surface extensions, wherein the firing lever is pivotable to extend from a selected one of a right and a left side of the apparatus.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical fastener applying apparatus

Life of this patent

Surgical fastener applying apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46