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

Surgical Stapling Apparatus

An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Electrosurgical hemostatic device

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Vessel sealer and divider

A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile.

Surgical stapling device

A surgical severing and stapling instrument clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar affirmatively maintains a desired spacing while severing and stapling tissue by longitudinally engaging the anvil and elongate channel. Separate closing action and firing (i.e., severing and stapling) action of the end effector allows a clinician to selectively position and clamp tissue. The end effector enables this advantageous separate firing while affirmatively spacing the end effector by having an upper pin of the firing bar reside within an anvil pocket before firing. When the anvil is closed and clamped, the upper pin of the E-beam firing bar may move longitudinally and distally from the anvil pocket to an anvil slot thereby engaging the anvil.

Surgical stapling instrument having separate distinct closing and firing systems

A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member. The reciprocating section includes a work portion which, when moved distally, effects the firing of staples in the staple cartridge toward the anvil. The work portion is also provided with a reciprocating knife. The first and second reciprocating positions are separated by a second distance which differs from the first distance.

Surgical stapler instrument

A surgical stapling instrument which has an elongated staple cartridge and anvil is disclosed. The anvil is movable relative to the cartridge from rearward to forward positions for insertion of tissue between these two components and clamping the tissue, respectively. A pair of spaced-apart ribs protrude from the anvil, and when the anvil is moved from its rearward to forward positions, these ribs are received into and slide within a groove embedded on the surface of the cartridge. In this manner, misalignment of the anvil and cartridge when tissue is being clamped is prevented or appreciably reduced, therefore reducing the chances of misforming the staples when the instrument is fired. The alignment features also act as tissue abutment surfaces to prevent the migration of tissue into a region where tissue is transected but not stapled.

Surgical clamping mechanism

An articulating surgical instrument with an articulation transmission assembly for remotely articulating the end effector of the instrument includes a body with a housing mounted on the instrument, oscillating and rotating members, and an actuator rotatably mounted on the housing and secured to the rotating member. The oscillating member is seated rotationally stationary within the housing. The rotating member fits into the oscillating member, and has a drive shaft extending into the body for translating rotation from the rotating member into reciprocation of an elongated transmission rod attached to the drive shaft. First and second sets of unloading teeth are displayed on the oscillating member and actuator, respectively. First and second locking teeth are displayed on the oscillating and rotating members, respectively. The assembly provides ratcheting rotation for precisely positioning the end effector in discrete positions. In the preferred embodiment, the frictional forces between the unloading teeth are less than those between the locking teeth. The instrument may be used for endoscopic as well as conventional open surgical procedures.

Articulation transmission mechanism for surgical instruments

A surgical stapler having an end effector with a reduced stacking height for its components to decrease the diameter of a trocar cannula or other access device during minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The end effector includes an elongated channel containing a staple cartridge and an anvil movable toward and away from the channel. The anvil is movable to first, second and third fixed positions relative to the channel. The first fixed position is a closed position which eliminates clearance between the anvil and cartridge. The second fixed position is an open position for inserting tissue between the anvil and cartridge. The third fixed position is a clamped position where a tissue-clamping gap exists between the anvil and cartridge to properly clamp tissue. The elimination of clearance between the anvil and cartridge of the first fixed position of the anvil reduces the stacking height, and therefore enables the user to insert the stapler through a smaller diameter access opening.

Endoscopic surgical stapler with compact profile

A surgical instrument, illustrated as an endoscopic surgical stapler, includes first and second operating linkages respectively operatively connected with first and second operating levers pivotally mounted on a frame of the instrument. An improved mounting arrangement is provided for the operating levers in the form of first and second mounting bosses. The mounting bosses are formed separately in order to isolate forces exerted thereon by the operating levers attendant to use of the instrument.

Bryan D. Knodel

Papers

Surgical stapler instrument

Surgical clamping mechanism

Articulation transmission mechanism for surgical instruments

Endoscopic surgical stapler with compact profile

Surgical stapler with improved operating lever mounting arrangement