US 7,624,902 B2 · Surgical stapling apparatus

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.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims14

Dependent claims

A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a handle assembly;
(b) a body extending distally from the handle assembly, the body defining a first longitudinal axis;
(c) a tool assembly pivotably supported on a distal end of the body, the tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis, the tool assembly being pivotable from a non-articulated position in which the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis and at least one articulated position in which the second longitudinal axis is at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;
and
(d) an articulation mechanism including:
(i) a receptacle positioned adjacent the handle assembly;
(ii) a main shaft having base portion, the main shaft being rotatably supported within the receptacle;
(iii) a lower clutch fixedly positioned within the receptacle, the lower clutch having a serrated portion and being positioned about the main shaft, the serrated portion including a series of shallow serrations and at least one deep serration;
(iv) an upper clutch slidably positioned about the main shaft, the upper clutch being rotatably fixed to the main shaft such that rotation of the main shaft effects rotation of the upper clutch, the upper clutch including at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position;
and
(v) an articulation link having a proximal end operatively connected to the base portion of the main shaft and a distal end operatively connected to the tool assembly, wherein the main shaft is rotatable to move the articulation link to effect movement of the tool assembly between the non-articulated position and the at least one articulated position.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,032 words

Summary1,139 words

#1. Technical Field

#This application relates to a surgical stapling apparatus, and more particularly, to an articulating mechanism for use with an endoscopic surgical stapling apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue and optionally incising fastened tissue.

#2. Background of Related Art

Brief description of the drawings86 figures

#Various preferred embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical stapling apparatus;

#FIG. 2 is a top view of the surgical apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description8,065 words

#Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed endoscopic surgical stapling apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

#In the drawings and in the description that follows, the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of the stapling apparatus which is closest to the operator, while the term distal will refer to the end of the apparatus which is furthest from the operator.

#FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical stapling apparatus shown generally as 10. Briefly, surgical stapling apparatus 10 includes a handle assembly 12 and an elongated body 14. A disposable loading unit or DLU 16 is releasably secured to a distal end of elongated body 14. Disposable loading unit 16 includes a tool assembly 17 having a cartridge assembly 18 housing a plurality of surgical staples and an anvil assembly 20 movably secured in relation to cartridge assembly 18. Disposable loading unit 16 is configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 30 mm to about 60 mm in length. Disposable loading units having linear rows of staples of other lengths are also envisioned, e.g., 45 mm. Handle assembly 12 includes a stationary handle member 22, a movable handle member 24, and a barrel portion 26. A rotatable member 28 is preferably mounted on the forward end of barrel portion 26 to facilitate rotation of elongated body 14 with respect to handle assembly 12. An articulation lever 30 is also preferably mounted on the forward end of barrel portion 26 adjacent rotatable knob 28 to facilitate articulation of tool assembly 17. A pair of retraction knobs 32 are movably positioned along barrel portion 26 to return surgical stapling apparatus 10 to a retracted position, as will be described in detail below.

Facts

Application

12/200,004Filed 28 Aug 2008 · continuation in part

Priority

31 Aug 2007

Published

US 2009/0057370 A15 Mar 2009

Granted

1 Dec 2009

Term ends

15 Oct 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

A61B 17/07207
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: the staples being applied sequentially
A61B 2017/00473
With a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable: distal part, e.g. tip or head
A61B 2017/07214
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: stapler heads
A61B 2017/2927
Details of heads or jaws: the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Family

Application60/967,169Us provisional application · filed 31 Aug 2007

Application11/974,638Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 15 Oct 2007

US 2009/0057370 A1Pre-grant publication · published 5 Mar 2009

US 7,515,993 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2008/0041916 A1Published application

US 7,565,993 B2Related patent

US 7,624,902 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

31 Aug 2007Priority claimedParent application 60/967,169
28 Aug 2008Application filedUS 12/200,004
15 Sep 2008Assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group LPassignment of assignor's interest
5 Mar 2009PublishedUS 2009/0057370 A1
1 Dec 2009GrantedUS 7,624,902 B2
2 Oct 2012Assigned to Covidien LPchange of name
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
15 Oct 2027Term endsEstimated

Surgical stapling apparatus

Life of this patent

Surgical stapling apparatus

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims14

Description11,032 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,032 words