US 8,408,439 B2Granted

Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

InventorsZhifan F. Huang, Chad P. Boudreaux, Joseph C. Huell, Dean B. Bruewer, David B. Smith

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a closure tube configured to at least partially surround the anvil and the staple cartridge channel to hold the anvil in a closed position. The closure tube can extend around the anvil a greater distance than the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and, in addition, an articulation joint pivotably connecting the end effector to the shaft. The articulation joint can further comprise a floating guide member which can guidably support a knife bar extending into the end effector and, at the same time, move independently of the end effector and the shaft to provide such support.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A surgical stapler, comprising:

a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, wherein said channel comprises:
a distal end;
a proximal portion;
and
a stop;
an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge, wherein said anvil comprises a distal end and a proximal portion, wherein said proximal portion of said anvil is pivotably coupled to said proximal portion of said channel, and wherein said anvil is rotatable between an open position and a closed position;
and
a closure member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said closure member is configured to move said anvil between said open position and said closed position when said closure member is moved between said first position and said second position, and wherein said closure member comprises:
a body;
a first camming portion extending from said body a first distance toward said distal end of said channel, wherein said first camming portion is configured to be at least partially positioned around said anvil when said closure member is in said second position;
and
a second camming portion extending from said body a second distance toward said distal end of said channel, wherein said first distance is larger than said second distance, and wherein said second camming portion is configured to be at least partially positioned around said channel and adjacent to said stop when said closure member is in said second position.

9 more elements

A surgical stapler, comprising:

a shaft;
an end effector configured to articulate relative to said shaft at a pivot, wherein said end effector comprises:
an elongate channel configured to receive a staple cartridge, wherein said elongate channel comprises a perimeter that comprises a contact edge;
and
an anvil pivotably coupled to said elongate channel and rotatable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said anvil comprises a perimeter;
and
a closure member movable between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein said closure member is configured to move said anvil between said open position and said closed position when said closure member is moved between said proximal position and said distal position, and wherein said closure member comprises:
a first cam comprising a first distal end, wherein a first length is defined between said pivot and said first distal end when said closure member is in said distal position, wherein said first cam is configured to at least partially surround said perimeter of said anvil when said closure member is in said distal position;
and
a second cam comprising a second distal end, wherein a second length is defined between said pivot and said second distal end when said closure member is in said distal position, wherein said first length is greater than said second length, and wherein said second cam is configured to at least partially surround said perimeter of said channel and to abut said contact edge when said closure member is in said distal position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/765,337Filed 22 Apr 2010 · continuation in part
Priority: 22 Jun 2007
Published: US 2010/0264193 A121 Oct 2010
Granted: 2 Apr 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
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 2017/00318
Steerable: steering mechanisms
A61B 2017/00734
Aspects not otherwise provided for: battery operated

Family

Application11/821,277Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Jun 2007
Application12/008,266Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Jan 2008
US 2010/0264193 A1Pre-grant publication · published 21 Oct 2010
US 7,954,684 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 7,753,245 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2008/0314955 A1Published application
US 2008/0314957 A1Published application
US 8,408,439 B2This patent

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