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

A self-contained powered surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes an elongate body, a fastener applying assembly including an anvil for forming a surgical fastener driven thereagainst, a motor assembly and power source for energizing the motor assembly disposed within the elongate body, and a pusher driven by the motor assembly for driving a surgical fastener toward the anvil to be formed thereby and fastened to body tissue. The apparatus is configured for utilization during conventional invasive surgical procedures as well as endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedures by providing a detachable extension shaft.

Self-contained powered surgical apparatus

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 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 stapling instrument (1) comprises a body portion (2, 3), a handle (4) and a staple fastening assembly (8). The staple fastening assembly (8) includes a curved cartridge (10), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil (22), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge (10) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge (10). The staple fastening assembly (8) is adapted to allow unobstructed access towards the concave inner faces of the cartridge (10) and the anvil (22). The cartridge (10) can be moved towards the anvil (22) from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue. Preferably, a knife is contained within the cartridge (10) and is positioned such that there is at least one row of staples on at least one side of the knife.

Surgical stapling instrument

An articulating surgical instrument which has an articulation transmission assembly for remotely articulating an end effector of the instrument is disclosed. Ratcheting rotation of a compressible deck within a detent housing of the assembly from a first locked position to a second locked position causes axial movement of an elongated transmission member for the articulation of the end effector from a first position to a second position angled from the first position. Also disclosed is a flexible neck assembly for articulating the end effector of the surgical instrument. Neck ribs, each having an interior plate and an exterior dish, extend from a central longitudinal rib separating a pair of flexible neck portions of the assembly. A pair of transmission band assemblies, each having an interior articulation band and an attached exterior reinforcement band, reciprocate in opposite directions within side slots of the neck ribs in response to actuation of the articulation transmission assembly. Reciprocation causes the flexible neck assembly to bend, effecting articulation. The shape of the neck ribs optimizes the radius of curvature when articulation is effected, and the reinforcement bands prevent buckling of the articulation bands.

Articulation assembly for surgical instruments

A surgical stapler comprising at least one cam having a cam surface, an arrangement for actuating the cam for a longitudinal firing movement of the cam surface, a cartridge having a plurality of staple drive members driven by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface, and a plurality of surgical staples respectively associated with the staple drive members for being fired by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the staple drive members include at least a pair of alternating first and second staple drive members, the first staple drive member including a laterally spaced pair of staple driving surfaces, the second staple drive member including a single staple driving surface. The first and second staple drive members are disposed such that the staple driving surfaces thereof are arranged in laterally spaced three rows. Alternate embodiments include drive members each having a pair of longitudinally aligned driving surfaces, and a third laterally offset driving surface, as well as a spine-like flexible drive element operatively positioned between the cam surface of the cam and the drive members.

Surgical stapler and staple cartridge

In various embodiments, an anvil of a disposable loading unit including a first member having staple pockets for deforming staples, a first cover plate secured to the first member, and a second cover plate secured to at least one of the first member and the first cover plate, wherein the first and second cover plates can be configured to support the first member. In at least one embodiment, an anvil can include a first member inserted into a second member, where at least one of the first and second members can be deformed to retain one to the other. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit comprising a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve can be configured to be slid relative to the staple cartridge and the anvil to hold the anvil in a closed position.

End effectors for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument

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 cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Thomas W. Huitema

Papers

Articulation assembly for surgical instruments

Surgical stapler and staple cartridge

End effectors for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument

Articulation transmission mechanism for surgical instruments

Motorized surgical instrument