Small diameter endoscopic stapler

#Technical Field

#The present disclosure relates to surgical staplers, and more particularly, to surgical staplers for laparoscopic or endoscopic use.

#Background

#Various embodiments of the presently disclosed small diameter surgical stapler are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed small diameter surgical stapler in an unapproximated position;

#FIG. 1A is a side perspective view from the distal end of a stapler reload of the surgical stapler shown in FIG. 1;

#Embodiments of the presently disclosed small diameter surgical stapler will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and any other surgical procedure performed through a small incision or a cannula inserted into a patient's body.

#The presently disclosed surgical stapler includes a tool assembly which supports a series of staples which are supported and configured to be rotatably ejected from a staple cartridge into an anvil to suture tissue. The manner in which the staples are supported and ejected from within the staple cartridge facilitates the use of a small diameter tool assembly which includes staples capable of suturing thicker tissues than would normally be associated with tool assemblies with such a small diameter.

#FIG. 1-2 illustrate the presently disclosed surgical stapler 10 which includes an actuating device 12 having a handle assembly 12a, a body portion 14 which extends distally from the handle portion 12, and a stapler reload 100 supported on a distal end of the body portion 14. The distal end of the body portion 14 is adapted to releasably engage a proximal end of the reload 100 such that actuation of the actuating device 12 effects operation of the reload 100. A suitable actuating device is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361 (“361 patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,924 (“924 patent”) which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Although the presently disclosed actuating device is illustrated as a manually actuated handle assembly, it is envisioned that the reload 100 could be actuated by other known actuating devices including robotic devices, motorized devices, and/or electrically or mechanically driven devices.