U.S. patent application number 16/895164 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-09 for surgical stapling device with parallel jaw closure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Roanit Fernandes, Rajanikanth Mandula.
Application Number | 20210378666 16/895164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005983324 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210378666 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mandula; Rajanikanth ; et
al. |
December 9, 2021 |
SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH PARALLEL JAW CLOSURE
Abstract
A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an
anvil, a cartridge assembly movable in relation to the anvil
between open and clamped positions, a drive member, and a biasing
mechanism or member. The biasing mechanism or member is configured
to urge the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly to
its fully open position to provide access to tissue during a
surgical procedure.
Inventors: |
Mandula; Rajanikanth;
(Hyderabad, IN) ; Fernandes; Roanit; (Hyderabad,
IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005983324 |
Appl. No.: |
16/895164 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/0686 20130101;
A61B 2017/07271 20130101; A61B 17/072 20130101; A61B 2017/07257
20130101; A61B 2017/0725 20130101; A61B 2017/07285 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/068 20060101
A61B017/068; A61B 17/072 20060101 A61B017/072 |
Claims
1. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil including a body having a
proximal portion and a distal portion, the body defining a central
knife slot and including a staple forming surface, the proximal
portion of the body including spaced side walls defining an anvil
cavity, at least one of the side walls supporting a boss that
extends into the anvil cavity; a cartridge assembly including a
channel member and a staple cartridge, the channel member including
side walls and a base wall that define a channel cavity that
receives the staple cartridge, at least one of the side walls of
the channel member defining a slot that extends through a portion
of the respective side wall, the cartridge assembly movable in
relation to the anvil to move the tool assembly from the open
position to the clamped position; a biasing mechanism including at
least one spiral spring and a roller including a toothed portion,
the roller rotatably supported between the side walls of the anvil,
the at least one spiral spring including a coil portion and a first
end, the coil portion of the at least one spiral spring supported
on the boss on the at least one side wall of the anvil in a
position between the anvil and the channel member, the at least one
spiral spring extending through the slot in the at least one side
wall of the channel member, the first end of the at least one
spiral spring connected to the roller; and a drive member including
a beam portion and a working end, the drive member movable in
relation to the anvil and the cartridge assembly from a retracted
position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly, the
beam portion including a toothed rack that is engaged with the
toothed portion of the roller, wherein movement of the drive member
from its retracted position towards its advanced position causes
rotation of the roller to wind the at least one spiral spring about
the roller and move the tool assembly from the open position to the
clamped position.
2. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one spiral
spring includes two spiral springs.
3. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the toothed portion of the
roller is centrally located on the roller and one of the two spiral
springs is positioned on each side of the toothed portion of the
roller.
4. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the side walls of
the channel member defines a circular concavity, and the coil of
each of the two spiral springs is received within a respective one
of the circular concavities on the side wall of the channel
member.
5. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the anvil defines a
longitudinal axis and supports spaced pins, each of the spaced pins
defining a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the anvil.
6. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the side walls of
the channel member defines a bore, and each of the spaced pins of
the anvil is received within one of the bores to maintain the anvil
and the cartridge assembly in parallel alignment with each other as
the tool assembly is moved between the open position and the
clamped position.
7. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the working end of the
drive member includes a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical
strut interconnecting the first and second beams, the first beam
engaging the anvil and the second beam engaging the cartridge
assembly to define a maximum tissue gap between the anvil and the
cartridge assembly during firing of the tool assembly.
8. A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly
including a stationary handle; an elongate body having a proximal
portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion coupled to the
handle assembly; and a tool assembly supported on the distal
portion of the elongate body, the tool assembly including: an anvil
including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion,
the body defining a central knife slot and including a staple
forming surface, the proximal portion of the body including spaced
side walls defining an anvil cavity, at least one of the side walls
supporting a boss that extends into the anvil cavity; a cartridge
assembly including a channel member and a staple cartridge, the
channel member including side walls and a base wall that define a
channel cavity that receives the staple cartridge, at least one of
the side walls of the channel member defining a slot that extends
through a portion of the respective side wall, the cartridge
assembly movable in relation to the anvil to move the tool assembly
from the open position to the clamped position; a biasing mechanism
including at least one spiral spring and a roller including a
toothed portion, the roller rotatably supported between the side
walls of the anvil, the at least one spiral spring including a coil
portion and a first end, the coil portion of the at least one
spiral spring supported on the boss on the at least one side wall
of the anvil in a position between the anvil and the channel
member, the at least one spiral spring extending through the slot
in the at least one side wall of the channel member, the first end
of the at least one spiral spring connected to the roller; and a
drive member including a beam portion and a working end, the drive
member movable in relation to the anvil and the cartridge assembly
from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the
tool assembly, the beam portion including a toothed rack that is
engaged with the toothed portion of the roller, wherein movement of
the drive member from its retracted position towards its advanced
position causes rotation of the roller to wind the at least one
spiral spring about the roller and move the tool assembly from the
open position to the clamped position.
9. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the tool
assembly forms part of a reload assembly, the reload assembly
including a proximal body portion that is releasably coupled to the
distal portion of the elongate body.
10. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the at least
one spiral spring includes two spiral springs.
11. The surgical stapling device of claim 10, wherein the toothed
portion of the roller is centrally located on the roller and one of
the two spiral springs is positioned on each side of the toothed
portion of the roller.
12. The surgical stapling device of claim 10, wherein each of the
side walls of the channel member defines a circular concavity, and
the coil of each of the two spiral springs is received within a
respective one of the circular concavities on the side wall of the
channel member.
13. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the anvil
defines a longitudinal axis and supports spaced pins, each of the
spaced pins defining a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the anvil.
14. The surgical stapling device of claim 13, wherein each of the
side walls of the channel member defines a bore, and each of the
spaced pins of the anvil is received within one of the bores to
maintain the anvil and the cartridge assembly in parallel alignment
with each other as the tool assembly is moved between the open
position and the clamped position.
15. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein each of the
side wall of the channel member defines a bore, each of the spaced
pins of the anvil received within one of the bores to maintain the
anvil and the cartridge assembly in parallel alignment with each
other as the tool assembly is moved between the open position and
the clamped position.
16. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil including a body having a
proximal portion and a distal portion, the body defining a central
knife slot and including a staple forming surface, the proximal
portion of the body including spaced side walls defining an anvil
cavity, each of the side walls supporting a distal pivot member and
a proximal pivot member, the distal pivot member longitudinally
spaced from the proximal pivot member, the distal and proximal
pivot members extending from the respective side walls of the
channel member into the anvil cavity; a cartridge assembly defining
a longitudinal axis and including a channel member and a staple
cartridge, the channel member including side walls and a base wall
that define a channel cavity that receives the staple cartridge,
each of the side walls of the channel member having a proximal
portion that defines first and second slots, the first and second
slots defining axes that are substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the cartridge assembly, the first slots being
longitudinally spaced from the second slots, each of the first
slots receiving a respective one of the distal pivot members, and
each of the second slots receiving a respective one of the proximal
pivot members, the cartridge assembly movable in relation to the
anvil to move the tool assembly from the open position to the
clamped position; and a drive member including a beam portion and a
working end, the drive member movable in relation to the anvil and
the cartridge assembly from a retracted position to an intermediate
position and subsequently to a clamped position to move the
cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil from the open position
to the clamped position, wherein the first and second slots are
configured such that that movement of the drive member from the
retracted position to the intermediate position pivots the
cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil into parallel alignment
with the anvil and movement of the drive member from its
intermediate position to its clamped position moves the cartridge
assembly in relation to the anvil to the clamped position while
maintaining the cartridge assembly in parallel relation to the
anvil.
17. The tool assembly of claim 16, wherein the first slots include
an angled portion that allows the cartridge assembly to pivot in
relation to the anvil as the drive member moves from its retracted
position towards the intermediate position.
18. The tool assembly of claim 17, further including biasing
members supported between the proximal portion of the anvil and the
proximal portion of the channel member, the biasing members urging
the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil towards its clamped
position.
19. The tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the channel member
supports a ramp, and the working end of the drive member includes a
first beam, a second beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the
first and second beams, the first beam engaging the anvil and the
second beam engaging the ramp of the cartridge assembly as the
drive member is moved from its retracted position to its clamped
position to move the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil
from its open position to its clamped position.
20. The tool assembly of claim 19, wherein the biasing members
include coil springs that are supported between the ramp of the
cartridge assembly and the anvil.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This technology is generally related to stapling devices
and, more particularly, to surgical stapling devices with parallel
jaw closure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Surgical stapling devices for simultaneously cutting and
stapling tissue are known in the art and are commonly used during
surgical procedures to reduce the time required to perform the
surgical procedure and to facilitate endoscopic access to a
surgical site. Performing a surgical procedure endoscopically
reduces the amount of trauma inflicted on a patient during the
surgical procedure to minimize patient discomfort and reduce
patient recovery times.
[0003] Typically, endoscopic stapling devices include a tool
assembly having a first jaw, and a second jaw that can pivot in
relation to the first jaw between an open or spaced position and a
closed or clamped position. One of the first or second jaws
supports a cartridge assembly that includes a plurality of staples
and the other of the first or second jaws supports an anvil
assembly that includes an anvil having staple deforming pockets
that receive and form legs of the staples when the staples are
ejected from the cartridge assembly.
[0004] In surgical procedures that require a stapling device
including a tool assembly having jaws of an extended length, e.g.,
bariatric procedures and procedures involving the bowel or lungs,
the surgical site is confined by the anatomy of the patient. This
confinement may make it difficult to move the jaws of the tool
assembly to a fully open position to receive and treat tissue.
SUMMARY
[0005] In aspects, this disclosure generally relates to a surgical
stapling device including an anvil, a cartridge assembly movable in
relation to the anvil between open and clamped positions, a drive
member, and a biasing mechanism or member. The biasing mechanism or
member is configured to urge the cartridge assembly in relation to
the anvil assembly to its fully open position to provide access to
tissue during a surgical procedure.
[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a tool assembly
including an anvil, a cartridge assembly, a biasing mechanism, and
a drive member. The anvil includes a body having a proximal portion
and a distal portion. The body defines a central knife slot and
includes a staple forming surface. The proximal portion of the body
includes spaced side walls that define an anvil cavity. At least
one of the side walls supports a boss that extends into the anvil
cavity. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a
staple cartridge. The channel member includes side walls and a base
wall that define a channel cavity that receives the staple
cartridge. At least one of the side walls of the channel member
defines a slot that extends through a portion of the respective
side wall. The cartridge assembly is movable in relation to the
anvil to move the tool assembly from the open position to the
clamped position. The biasing mechanism includes at least one
spiral spring and a roller including a toothed portion. The roller
is rotatably supported between the side walls of the anvil. The at
least one spiral spring includes a coil portion and a first end.
The coil portion of the at least one spiral spring is supported on
the boss on the at least one side wall of the anvil in a position
between the anvil and the channel member. The at least one spiral
spring extends through the slot in the at least one side wall of
the channel member. The first end of the at least one spiral spring
is connected to the roller. The drive member includes a beam
portion and a working end. The drive member is movable in relation
to the anvil and the cartridge assembly from a retracted position
to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly. The beam
portion includes a toothed rack that is engaged with the toothed
portion of the roller such that movement of the drive member from
its retracted position towards its advanced position causes
rotation of the roller to wind the at least one spiral spring about
the roller and move the tool assembly from the open position to the
clamped position.
[0007] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical
stapling device including a handle assembly, an elongate body, and
a tool assembly. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle.
The elongate body has a proximal portion coupled to the handle
assembly and a distal portion. The tool assembly is supported on
the distal portion of the elongate body and includes an anvil, a
cartridge assembly, a biasing mechanism, and a drive member. The
anvil includes a body having a proximal portion and a distal
portion. The body defines a central knife slot and includes a
staple forming surface. The proximal portion of the body includes
spaced side walls that define an anvil cavity. At least one of the
side walls supports a boss that extends into the anvil cavity. The
cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple
cartridge. The channel member includes side walls and a base wall
that define a channel cavity that receives the staple cartridge. At
least one of the side walls of the channel member defines a slot
that extends through a portion of the respective side wall. The
cartridge assembly is movable in relation to the anvil to move the
tool assembly from the open position to the clamped position. The
biasing mechanism includes at least one spiral spring and a roller
including a toothed portion. The roller is rotatably supported
between the side walls of the anvil. The at least one spiral spring
includes a coil portion and a first end. The coil portion of the at
least one spiral spring is supported on the boss on the at least
one side wall of the anvil in a position between the anvil and the
channel member. The at least one spiral spring extends through the
slot in the at least one side wall of the channel member. The first
end of the at least one spiral spring is connected to the roller.
The drive member includes a beam portion and a working end. The
drive member is movable in relation to the anvil and the cartridge
assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position to
actuate the tool assembly. The beam portion includes a toothed rack
that is engaged with the toothed portion of the roller such that
movement of the drive member from its retracted position towards
its advanced position causes rotation of the roller to wind the at
least one spiral spring about the roller and move the tool assembly
from the open position to the clamped position.
[0008] In aspects of the disclosure, the at least one spiral spring
includes two spiral springs.
[0009] In some aspects of the disclosure, the toothed portion of
the roller is centrally located on the roller and one of the two
spiral springs is positioned on each side of the toothed portion of
the roller.
[0010] In certain aspects of the disclosure, each of the side walls
of the channel member defines a circular concavity and the coil of
each of the two spiral springs is received within a respective one
of the circular concavities on the side wall of the channel
member.
[0011] In aspects of the disclosure, the anvil defines a
longitudinal axis and supports spaced pins, and each of the spaced
pins defines a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the anvil.
[0012] In some aspects of the disclosure, each of the side walls of
the channel member defines a bore, and each of the spaced pins of
the anvil is received within one of the bores to maintain the anvil
and the cartridge assembly in parallel alignment with each other as
the tool assembly is moved between the open position and the
clamped position.
[0013] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the working end of the
drive member includes a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical
strut interconnecting the first and second beams.
[0014] In aspects of the disclosure, the first beam engages the
anvil and the second beam engages the cartridge assembly to define
a maximum tissue gap between the anvil and the cartridge assembly
during firing of the tool assembly.
[0015] Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to a tool
assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly, and a drive
member. The anvil includes a body having a proximal portion and a
distal portion. The body defines a central knife slot and includes
a staple forming surface. The proximal portion of the body includes
spaced side walls that define an anvil cavity. Each of the side
walls supports a distal pivot member and a proximal pivot member.
The distal pivot member is longitudinally spaced from the proximal
pivot member. The distal and proximal pivot members extend from the
respective side walls of the channel member into the anvil cavity.
The cartridge assembly defines a longitudinal axis and includes a
channel member and a staple cartridge. The channel member includes
side walls and a base wall that define a channel cavity that
receives the staple cartridge. Each of the side walls of the
channel member has a proximal portion that defines first and second
slots. The first and second slots define axes that are
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
cartridge assembly. The first slots are longitudinally spaced from
the second slots. Each of the first slots receives a respective one
of the distal pivot members and each of the second slots receives a
respective one of the proximal pivot members. The cartridge
assembly is movable in relation to the anvil to move the tool
assembly from its open position to its clamped position. The drive
member includes a beam portion and a working end. The drive member
is movable in relation to the anvil and the cartridge assembly from
a retracted position to an intermediate position and subsequently
to a clamped position to move the cartridge assembly in relation to
the anvil from the open position to the clamped position. The first
and second slots are configured such that that movement of the
drive member from the retracted position to the intermediate
position pivots the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil
into parallel alignment with the anvil and movement of the drive
member from its intermediate position to its clamped position moves
the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil to the clamped
position while maintaining the cartridge assembly in parallel
relation to the anvil.
[0016] In aspects of the disclosure, the first slots include an
angled portion that allows the cartridge assembly to pivot in
relation to the anvil as the drive member moves from its retracted
position towards the intermediate position.
[0017] In some aspects of the disclosure, biasing members are
supported between the proximal portion of the anvil and the
proximal portion of the channel member, the biasing members urging
the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil towards its clamped
position.
[0018] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the channel member
supports a ramp and the working end of the drive member includes a
first beam, a second beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the
first and second beams.
[0019] In aspects of the disclosure, the first beam engages the
anvil and the second beam engages the ramp of the cartridge
assembly as the drive member is moved from its retracted position
to its clamped position to move the cartridge assembly in relation
to the anvil from its open position to its clamped position.
[0020] In some aspects of the disclosure, the biasing members
include coil springs that are supported between the ramp of the
cartridge assembly and the anvil.
[0021] Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from
the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below
with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exemplary aspects of a
surgical stapling device according to aspects of the
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side perspective exploded view of the tool
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the anvil of the tool
assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a drive assembly of the
tool assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side perspective, cutaway view of a proximal
portion of the tool assembly of the surgical stapling device shown
in FIG. 1 with a channel of the tool assembly shown in phantom;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
8-8 of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
8-8 of FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 9;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through the tool
assembly of the stapling device of FIG. 1 as the tool assembly is
moved to a clamped position;
[0034] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 11 in an open position;
[0036] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 13;
[0037] FIG. 15 is an alternative version of the tool assembly of
the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a side perspective exploded view of the tool
assembly shown in FIG. 15;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view from above of the channel of
the tool assembly shown in FIG. 16;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a side view of a proximal portion of the channel
shown in FIG. 17;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a perspective view from below of a proximal
portion of the anvil of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 16;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a perspective view from a distal end of the tool
assembly shown in FIG. 15 with a staple cartridge removed from a
cartridge assembly of the tool assembly and the tool assembly in
the open position;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 15 in the open position with the anvil shown in
phantom;
[0044] FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 21;
[0045] FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 15 in the an intermediate position between the open
and clamped positions with the anvil shown in phantom;
[0046] FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 23;
[0047] FIG. 25 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 15 in the clamped position with the anvil shown in
phantom; and
[0048] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The disclosed surgical stapling device 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. However, it is to be understood that aspects of
the disclosure described herein are merely exemplary of the
disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known
functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid
obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front,
rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar
terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are
not intended to limit the disclosure.
[0050] In this description, the term "proximal" is used generally
to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a
clinician, while the term "distal" is used generally to refer to
that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In
addition, the term "endoscopic" is used generally used to refer to
endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure
conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further,
the term "clinician" is used generally to refer to medical
personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel. As used
herein, the term "substantially parallel" includes true parallel as
well as 10 degrees in either direction.
[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary aspects of the disclosed
surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10.
Stapling device 10 includes a powered handle assembly 12, an
elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. The elongate body 14
defines a longitudinal axis "X" and includes a proximal portion 14a
supported on the handle assembly 12 and a distal portion 14b that
supports the tool assembly 16. In some aspects of the disclosure,
the tool assembly 16 forms part of a reload assembly 18 that
includes a proximal body portion 18a that is releasably coupled to
the distal portion 14b of the elongate body 14 of the stapling
device 10. The proximal body portion 18a includes a distal portion
that supports the tool assembly 16. Although not shown, the tool
assembly 16 can be coupled to the proximal body portion 18a by a
pivot member that facilitates articulation of the tool assembly 16
about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis "X" of the
elongate body 14. In alternate aspects of the disclosure, the tool
assembly 16 is fixedly secured to the distal portion 14b of the
elongate body 14. For a description of exemplary aspects of the
tool assembly, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 ("the '139
patent").
[0052] The handle assembly 12 of the stapling device 10 includes a
stationary handle 20 and actuation buttons 22 that can be depressed
to actuate the tool assembly 16, e.g., approximate the tool
assembly 16, articulate the tool assembly 16, fire staples, etc. In
aspects of the disclosure, batteries (not shown) are supported in
the stationary handle 20 to power the handle assembly 12. It is
envisioned that the stapling device 10 need not be powered but can
also include a manually powered handle assembly such as described
in the '139 patent.
[0053] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the tool assembly 16 of the stapling
device 10 in an open position. The tool assembly 16 includes an
anvil 26, a cartridge assembly 28, and a drive member 30. The anvil
26 is fixedly secured to a distal end of the proximal body portion
18a of the reload assembly 18 (or to the distal end of the elongate
body 14). The cartridge assembly 28 is supported on the anvil 26
for movement between an open position (FIG. 1) and a clamped
position (FIG. 11) and includes a staple cartridge 32 and a channel
member 34. The channel member 34 includes side walls 36 and a base
wall 38 that define a channel cavity 40 that receives the staple
cartridge 32. The base wall 38 defines a knife slot 42 that extends
through the channel member 34 along most of its length and includes
a closed proximal and distal end. The knife slot 42 receives a
portion of the drive member 30 to facilitate movement of the drive
member 30 in relation to the anvil 26 and cartridge assembly 28
between retracted and advanced positions.
[0054] The channel member 34 has a proximal portion including a
base 44 that is defined by a proximal portion 36a (FIG. 3) of the
side walls 36 of the channel member 34. I aspects of the
disclosure, the width of the proximal portion 36a of the side walls
36 in the base 44 of the channel member 34 is thicker than the
width of the side walls 36 in a distal portion of the channel
member 34. Each of the proximal portions 36a of the side walls 36
in the base 44 includes an upper surface (as viewed in FIG. 3) that
defines a bore 46 and a circular concavity 48. The bores 46 extend
along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal
axis of the cartridge assembly 28. The proximal portions 36a of the
side walls 36 are spaced from each other to define a channel 50
that communicates with the channel cavity 40 and receives the drive
member 30 when the drive member 30 is in its retracted position.
Each of the proximal portions 36a of the side walls 36 of the
channel member 34 also defines a circular slot 52 that extends
through the side wall 36a from an upper surface of the side wall 36
of the channel member 34 to the proximal end of the side wall 36 of
the channel member 34 (FIG. 8).
[0055] The staple cartridge 32 is received within the channel
cavity 40 and includes a cartridge body 54 that defines a central
knife slot 56 and rows of staple pockets 58 on each side of the
central knife slot 56. It is envisioned that two or more rows of
staple pockets can be provided on each side of the central knife
slot 56. It is also envisioned that the staple pockets 58 need not
be aligned in rows but rather a variety of different arrays of
staple pockets 58 can be defined on each side of the central knife
slot 56. Each of the staple pockets 58 receives a staple and a
pusher (not shown). For a more detailed description of the staple
cartridge 32 including staples and pushers, see the '139
patent.
[0056] FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate the anvil 26 of the stapling device
10 (FIG. 1) which includes a proximal portion 60 and a distal
portion 62. The distal portion 62 of the anvil 26 defines a central
knife slot 64 and includes a staple forming surface 66. The central
knife slot 64 extends from the staple forming surface 66 and
communicates with an internal channel (not shown) defined within
the anvil 26. The central knife slot 64 and the internal channel
(not shown) within the anvil 26 receive a portion of the drive
member 30 as the drive member 30 is moved between its retracted and
advanced positions.
[0057] The proximal portion 60 of the anvil 26 includes a pair of
spaced side walls 70 that defines an anvil cavity 72 that receives
the base 44 of the channel member 34 when the tool assembly is in
its clamped position. The anvil cavity 72 is defined in part by a
base wall 74 of the anvil 26 which supports two spaced pins 76 that
extend upwardly from the base wall 74 (as viewed in FIG. 5) within
the anvil cavity 72 towards the cartridge assembly 28. The pins 76
define an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the anvil 26 and are received within the bores
46 formed in the proximal portions 36a of the side walls 36 of the
channel member 34. The side walls 70 also support bosses 78 that
extend from the side walls 70 into the anvil cavity 72.
[0058] FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrate the proximal portion of the tool
assembly 16 which includes a biasing mechanism 68. The biasing
mechanism 68 includes a roller 80 and a pair of biasing members 82.
The roller 80 is rotatably supported between the spaced side walls
70 of the anvil 26 and extends across the anvil cavity 72. The
roller 80 has a toothed central portion 80a. In aspects of the
disclosure, each of the biasing members 82 includes a spiral spring
82 that has a coil portion 83 and a first end portion 84 that
extends from the coil portion 83 and is secured to the roller 80.
Each of the spiral springs 82 extends through the circular slot 52
in the channel member 34. The coil portion 83 of each of the spiral
springs 82 is supported on one of the bosses 78 of the anvil 26 and
sits within one of the circular concavities 48 (FIG. 3) defined in
the proximal portions 36a of the side walls 36 of the channel
member 34. The outer surfaces of the spiral springs 82 engage inner
surfaces of the channel member 34 to urge the cartridge assembly 28
away from the anvil 26 to move the tool assembly 16 to the open
position. It is envisioned that the biasing mechanism 68 can have
only a single spiral spring 82.
[0059] FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate the drive member 30 which includes
an elongate beam 31 having a proximal portion 86 and a distal
portion 88. The proximal portion 86 is configured to receive a
coupling member (not shown) that couples the drive member 30 to a
control rod (not shown) included in the elongate body 14 of the
stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The control rod (not shown) is movable
between a retracted position and an advanced position to move the
drive member 30 between its retracted and advanced positions. The
'139 patent describes exemplary aspects of a coupling member and a
control rod.
[0060] The distal portion 88 of the drive member 30 supports a
working end 90 that is movable through the anvil 26 and the
cartridge assembly 28 to actuate the tool assembly 16. In aspects
of the disclosure, the working end 90 of the drive member 30
includes a first beam 92, a second beam 94, and a vertical strut 96
that couples the first beam 92 to the second beam 94. The vertical
strut 96 supports a distally facing knife blade 98 and extends
through the knife slot 64 of the anvil 26 and the knife slots 42
and 56 of the channel member 34 and the staple cartridge 32. The
first beam 92 is received within the internal channel (not shown)
of the anvil 26 and the second beam 94 is engaged with the channel
member 34 of the cartridge assembly 28 such that movement of the
drive member 30 from its retracted position towards its advanced
position defines a maximum tissue gap between the staple cartridge
32 and the staple forming surface 66 (FIG. 5) of the anvil 26 as
the tool assembly 16 is fired. It is noted that in this aspect of
the disclosure, the working end 90 of the drive member 30 does not
affect movement of the tool assembly 16 from its open position to
its clamped position.
[0061] The elongate beam portion 31 of the drive member 30 includes
a toothed rack 102. The toothed rack 102 is engaged with the
toothed central portion 80a of the roller 80. When the drive member
30 is moved from its retracted position to its advanced position,
engagement between the toothed central portion 80a of the roller 80
and the toothed rack 102 of the drive member 30 causes the roller
80 to rotate within the anvil cavity 72. Rotation of the roller 80
winds the spiral springs 82 about the roller 80 to move the coil
portions 83 of the spiral springs 82 from an expanded condition
(FIG. 8) to a contracted or condition (FIG. 12). When the spiral
springs 82 are in their expanded condition, the coil portions 83 of
the spiral springs 82 are positioned between the anvil 26 and the
channel member 30 of the cartridge assembly 28 and urge the
cartridge assembly 28 away from the anvil 26 to move the tool
assembly 16 to the open position. When the spiral springs 82 are in
their contracted condition, the coil portions 83 of the spiral
springs 82 are contracted about the bosses 78 of the anvil 26 and
the spiral springs 82 which extend through the slots 52 in the
channel member 34 pulls the cartridge assembly 28 towards the anvil
26 such that the tool assembly 16 moves from its open position to
its clamped position.
[0062] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the tool assembly 16 in the open
position. In the open position of the tool assembly 16, the drive
member 30 is in a retracted position with the toothed rack 102 on
the beam portion 100 of the drive member 30 engaged with the
toothed central portion 80a of the roller 80. When the drive member
30 is in the retracted position, the spiral springs 82 are in their
expanded position such that the coil portions 83 of the spiral
springs 82 urge the cartridge assembly 28 away from the anvil 26 to
move the tool assembly 16 to the open position. The pins 76 of the
anvil 26 are received within the bores 46 of the channel member 34
to maintain the anvil 26 in parallel alignment with the staple
cartridge 32 of the cartridge assembly 28.
[0063] FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the tool assembly 16 in the clamped
position. When the drive member 30 is moved from its retracted
position towards its advanced position in the direction indicated
by arrows "A" in FIGS. 11 and 12, engagement between the toothed
rack 102 of the beam portion 100 of the drive member 30 and the
roller 80 causes the roller 80 to rotate in the direction indicated
by arrow "B" in FIG. 12 within the anvil cavity 72 of the anvil 26.
As described above, the first end 84 of the spiral spring 82 is
secured to the roller 80. Thus, as the roller 80 rotates within the
anvil cavity 72, the first end 84 of the spiral spring 82 is wound
about the roller 82 to contract the coil portions 83 of the spiral
springs 82 about the bosses 78. As the spiral springs 82 are wound
about the roller 80, the spiral springs 82 which extend through the
circular slots 52 of the channel member 34 pulls the cartridge
assembly 28 toward the anvil 26 in the direction indicated by arrow
"C" in FIG. 11 to move the tool assembly 16 to the clamped
position. As described above, the pins 76 move through the bores 46
in the channel member 34 to maintain the anvil 26 and the cartridge
assembly 28 in parallel alignment as the cartridge assembly 28
moves towards the anvil 26. In the clamped position of the tool
assembly 16, the staple forming surface 66 of the anvil 26 is in
juxtaposed alignment with the staple cartridge 28.
[0064] It is envisioned that the cartridge assembly 28 could be
fixedly secured to the elongate body 14 (FIG. 1) and the anvil 26
could be movable in relation to the elongate body 14 toward the
cartridge assembly 28.
[0065] It is noted that the beam portion 100 of the drive member 30
immediately proximal of the toothed rack 100 includes a flat
surface 112 (FIG. 6). After the tool assembly 16 is in the clamped
position, the drive member 30 continues to move towards its
advanced position to actuate the tool assembly 16. The flat surface
112 allows the beam portion 100 to pass over the roller 80 without
rotating the roller 80.
[0066] FIGS. 15-26 illustrate an alternate version of the tool
assembly of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) shown generally as tool
assembly 216. The tool assembly 216 is like tool assembly 16 (FIG.
3) and includes an anvil 226, a cartridge assembly 228, and a drive
member 230 (FIG. 16). The anvil 226 is fixedly secured to a distal
end of the proximal body portion 18a (FIG. 1) of the reload
assembly 18 (or to the distal end of the elongate body 14) (FIG.
1). The cartridge assembly 228 is supported on the anvil 226 for
movement between an open position (FIG. 15) and a clamped position
(FIG. 25) and includes a staple cartridge 232 and a channel member
234. The channel member 234 includes side walls 236 and a base wall
238 that define a channel cavity 240 (FIG. 16) that receives the
staple cartridge 232. The base wall 238 of the channel member 234
defines a knife slot 242 (FIG. 17) that extends through the channel
member 234 along most of its length and includes a closed distal
end. The knife slot 242 receives a portion of the drive member 230
to facilitate movement of the drive member 230 in relation to the
anvil 226 and cartridge assembly 228 between retracted and advanced
positions as described below.
[0067] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate the channel member 234 which includes
a proximal portion that is defined by the side walls 236 of the
channel member 234. The proximal portion of each of the side walls
236 defines first and second slots 250 and 252 (FIG. 18). The slots
252 are substantially linear and vertically oriented as viewed in
FIG. 18. The slots 252 are also vertically oriented and include a
linear portion 252a and an angled portion 252b. The angled portion
252b of each of the slots 252 defines an angle .theta. with the
axis of the linear portion. The angle .theta. is selected to allow
the channel member 234 to pivot in relation to the anvil 226 from a
pivoted position (FIG. 21) to a position in parallel alignment with
the anvil 26 (FIG. 23) and can be from about 1 degree to about 5
degrees. In some aspects of the disclosure, angle .theta. is about
3 degrees.
[0068] The channel member 234 includes a ramp 255 that is supported
between the proximal portion of the side walls 236. The ramp 255
defines a knife slot 255a that is aligned with the knife slot 242
(FIG. 17) of the channel member 234 and supports a pair of spring
mounts 258 which are positioned on each side of the knife slot
256a.
[0069] The staple cartridge 232 is received within the channel
cavity 240 of the channel member 234 and includes a cartridge body
254 that defines a central knife slot 256 and rows of staple
pockets 257 on each side of the central knife slot 256. It is
envisioned that two or more rows of staple pockets 257 can be
provided on each side of the central knife slot 256. It is also
envisioned that the staple pockets 257 need not be aligned in rows
but rather a variety of different arrays of staple pockets 257 can
be defined on each side of the central knife slot 256. Each of the
staple pockets 257 receives a staple and a pusher (not shown). For
a more detailed description of an exemplary staple cartridge 232
including staples and pushers, see the '139 patent.
[0070] FIGS. 16 and 19 illustrate the anvil 226 which includes a
proximal portion 260 and a distal portion 262. The distal portion
262 of the anvil 226 defines a central knife slot 264 and includes
a staple forming surface 266. The central knife slot 264 extends
through the staple forming surface 266 and communicates with an
internal channel (not shown) defined within the anvil 226. The
central knife slot 264 and the internal channel (not shown) within
the anvil 226 receive a portion of the drive member 230 as the
drive member 30 is moved between its retracted and advanced
positions as described in further detail below.
[0071] The proximal portion 260 of the anvil 226 includes a pair of
spaced side walls 270 that defines an anvil cavity 272 that
receives the proximal portion of the channel member 234. The anvil
cavity 272 is defined in part by a base wall 274 of the anvil 226.
The base wall 274 defines a continuation of the central knife slot
264 such that the central knife slot 264 extends through a proximal
end of the base wall 274. The base wall 274 includes spring mounts
276 (FIG. 19). The side walls 270 support pivot members 278 and 280
that extend from the side walls 270 inwardly into the anvil cavity
272. The pivot members 280 are positioned distally of the pivot
members 278 and are received within the first slots 250 of the
channel member 234. The pivot members 280 are received within the
second slots 252 of the channel member.
[0072] FIG. 16 illustrates the drive member 230 which includes an
elongate beam portion 231 including a proximal portion 286 and a
distal portion 288. The proximal portion 286 is configured to
receive a coupling member (not shown) that couples the drive member
230 to a control rod (not shown) included in the elongate body 14
of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The control rod (not shown) is
movable between a retracted position and an advanced position to
move the drive member 230 between its retracted and advanced
positions. The '139 patent describes exemplary aspects of a
coupling member and a control rod. The distal portion 288 of the
elongate beam 231 supports a working end 290 that is movable
through the anvil 226 and the cartridge assembly 228 to actuate the
tool assembly 216. In aspects of the disclosure, the working end
290 of the drive member 230 includes a first beam 292, a second
beam 294, and a vertical strut 296 that couples the first beam 292
to the second beam 294. The vertical strut 296 supports a distally
facing knife blade 298 and extends through the knife slot 264 (FIG.
19) of the anvil 226 and the knife slots 242 (FIG. 17) and 256 of
the channel member 234 and the staple cartridge 232, respectively.
The first beam 292 is received within the internal channel (not
shown) of the anvil 226 and the second beam 294 is engaged with the
channel member 234 of the cartridge assembly 228 such that movement
of the drive member 230 from its retracted position towards its
advanced position moves the cartridge assembly 228 towards the
anvil 226 to move the tool assembly 216 to the clamped position
(FIG. 25) and define a maximum tissue gap between the staple
cartridge 232 and the staple forming surface 266 (FIG. 5) of the
anvil 226 as the tool assembly 216 is fired.
[0073] FIGS. 16 and 20 illustrate the biasing members 300 of the
tool assembly 16. In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing members
300 include coil springs, e.g., 4, that are positioned between the
proximal portions of the anvil 226 and the channel member 228. The
coil springs 300 have a first end secured to the spring mounts 258
on the channel member 234 and a second end secured to the spring
mounts 276 on the base wall 274 of the anvil 226. The coil springs
300 urge the proximal portions of the anvil 226 and channel member
234 of the cartridge assembly 228 apart to move the tool assembly
216 to its clamped position.
[0074] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate the tool assembly 216 in the open
position. In the open position, the drive member 230 is in its
retracted position with the working end 290 of the drive member 230
positioned proximally of the ramp 255, and the pivot members 278
and 280 are positioned within upper ends of the slots 250 and 252
of the channel member 234. The coil springs 300 which are engaged
with the proximal portions of the anvil 226 and cartridge assembly
228 urge the proximal portions of the anvil 226 and the cartridge
assembly 228 apart to move the tool assembly 216 to the open
position.
[0075] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate the tool assembly 216 as the tool
assembly 216 is moved from the open position towards the clamped
position. When the drive member 230 is moved from its retracted
position towards its advanced position in the direction indicated
by arrows "E" in FIG. 23, the second beam 294 of the working end
290 of the drive member 230 engages and moves along an underside of
the ramp 255 and pivots the cartridge assembly 228 about the pivot
member 278 in the direction of arrow "F" in FIG. 23 towards the
anvil 226 to an intermediate position in which the cartridge
assembly 228 is in parallel alignment with the anvil 226. As the
cartridge assembly 228 pivots to the intermediate position, the
pivot members 280 move within the angled portions 252b of the
second slots 252 towards the linear portions 252a of the slots
252.
[0076] FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate the tool assembly 216 as the tool
assembly 216 is moved from the intermediate position towards the
clamped position. When the drive member 230 is moved from the
position shown in FIG. 23 towards its advanced position in the
direction indicated by arrows "E" in FIG. 25, the second beam 294
of the working end 290 of the drive member 230 continues to engage
and move along the underside of the ramp 255 to urge the cartridge
assembly 228 in the direction of arrows "G" in FIG. 25 towards the
anvil 226 and towards the clamped position in which the cartridge
assembly 228 is in juxtaposed parallel alignment with the anvil
226. As the cartridge assembly 228 moves to the clamped position,
the pivot members 280 move within the linear portions 252a of the
slots 252 and the pivot members 278 move within the linear slots
250 to maintain the anvil 226 and the cartridge assembly 228 in
substantially parallel alignment.
[0077] Although not shown, continued movement of the drive member
230 in relation to the anvil 226 and the cartridge assembly 228
towards its advanced position fires staples from the staple
cartridge 232 of the cartridge assembly 228 into the gap defined
between the staple forming surface 266 of the anvil 226 and the
staple cartridge 232 of the cartridge assembly 228 and into the
staple forming surface 266 of the anvil assembly 226. For a more
detailed description of the operation and firing of an exemplary
tool assembly, see the '139 patent.
[0078] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices
and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the
disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features
illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary
embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of
another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features
and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described
aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be
limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except
as indicated by the appended claims.
* * * * *