Disposable linear surgical stapler

Claim 2

A disposable linear surgical stapler comprising a staple cartridge member (14) and anvil means (15) pivoted to each other, an operating handle (11) substantially independent of the cartridge member and anvil means, and flexible stapler operating means (12) interconnecting the handle and cartridge member.

Claim 3

A disposable linear surgical stapler comprising a handle (11), anvil means (15), staple cartridge means (14) operatively connected to the anvil means, the anvil means and cartridge means selectively juxtaposed with respect to each other across a gap (G), staple firing means (18) on the handle, the handle being spaced from the anvil means and staple cartridge means, flexible means (12) operably interconnecting the staple firing means and staple cartridge for driving staples from the cartridge toward and against the anvil across the gap, and wherein the staple firing means is operable to fire staples (S) sequentially in a row.

Claim 4

A disposable linear surgical stapler comprising a handle (11), anvil means (15), staple cartridge means (14) operatively connected to the anvil means, the anvil means and cartridge means selectively juxtaposed with respect to each other across a gap (G), staple firing means (18) on the handle, the handle being spaced from the anvil means and staple cartridge means, flexible means (12) operably interconnecting the staple firing means and staple cartridge for driving staples from the cartridge toward and against the anvil across the gap, and wherein the staple firing means is operable to fire staples (S) sequentially in a row.

Claim 5

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting and forming at least one line of staples in tissue comprising anvil means (15) including an anvil having a plurality of staple pockets for forming and clinching staples, staple cartridge means (14) including a plurality of staple channels (80) for holding staples in a row, the staple cartridge means operatively juxtaposed with the anvil means, a handle (11) being spaced from the anvil means and the cartridge means, a plurality of staple driver (40) operatively aligned with respective staples in the staple channels, a driver engaging wedge means (90) disposed at a forward end of the staple cartridge and movable in a drive path therein for sequentially engaging the drivers, moving them toward the staples and firing the staples from the channels toward the anvil, a flexible conduit (26) extending between the handle and the cartridge means, a rotatable firing knob means (18) in the handler and a flexible cable (27) extending through the conduit and having a forward end attached to the wedge means, and a rearward end attached to the firing knob means such that rotation of the knob means pulls the cable and the wedge is thereby pulled through the path, sequentially engaging the drivers and firing the staples.

Claim 6

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting and forming at least one line of staples in tissue comprising anvil means (15) including an anvil having a plurality of staple pockets for forming and clinching staples, staple cartridge means (14) including a plurality of staple channels (80) for holding staples in a row, the staple cartridge means operatively juxtaposed with the anvil means, a handle (11) being spaced from the anvil means and the cartridge means, a plurality of staple driver (40) operatively aligned with respective staples in the staple channels, a driver engaging wedge means (90) disposed at a forward end of the staple cartridge and movable in a drive path therein for sequentially engaging the drivers, moving them toward the staples and firing the staples from the channels toward the anvil, a flexible conduit (26) extending between the handle and the cartridge means, a rotatable firing knob means (18) in the handler and a flexible cable (27) extending through the conduit and having a forward end attached to the wedge means, and a rearward end attached to the firing knob means such that rotation of the knob means pulls the cable and the wedge is thereby pulled through the path, sequentially engaging the drivers and firing the staples.

Claim 7

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the flexible conduit (26) has two ends (29, 30) one secured to the handle and one to the cartridge means, such that when the knob means (18) is operated, the cable (27) slidable within the conduit and is operative to draw the wedge means (90) within the cartridge means from a forward to a rearward end thereof and toward the handle.

Claim 8

A disposable linear surgical stapler as claimed in any preceding claim including firing knob neans in the handle comprising a knob (18), a cable spool (147) attached to the knob for rotation therewith, a threaded shank (148) extending beyond the spool for rotation therewith, a nut (149) on the threaded shank, neans (151) for restraining the nut from rotation, such that when the knob is turned the nut moves along the shank, and first stop means (147) for engaging the nut, and preventing rotation of the knob in an inoperative direction when the knob is initially rotated.

Claim 9

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the spool means is provided with a safety lug recess (168) and further including a slidable safety lu g (165) within the handle for extending into the safety lug recess in a safety position preventing rotation of the knob, and being slidable out of the safety lug recess to permit rotation of the knob.

Claim 10

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim including a flexible reinforcing means (28) attached along the flexible means (12) for preventing firing of the staples in response to inadvertent elongation of the flexible means.

Claim 11

A disposable linear surgical stapler as claimed in any preceidng claim wherein the handle includes a rotatable firing knob (18), a cable spool (147) mounted for rotation with the knob and operable to pull the flexible means when initially rotated in a predetermined direction, and means (147, 148, 149, 151) for preventing initial rotation of the spool in an inoperative direction other than the predetermined direction.

Claim 12

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the means for preventing initial rotation of the spool in an inoperative direction includes a threaded shank (148) attached to the spool for rotation therewith,a nut (149) mounted on the shank, means (151) to restrain the nut against rotation so that the nut moves linearly along the shank when the knob, spool and shank are rotated, and a stop surface (147) holding the nut against such linear movement, and holding the shank, spool and knob against rotation in a predetermined inoperative direction.

Claim 13

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in either Claims 8 or 9 further including a second stop surface for preventing continued rotation of the shank, spool and knob when a number of staples have been fired.

Claim 14

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 further including slidable safety lug means (165, 168) for engaging one of the knob, spool and shank and selectively preventing rotation thereof.

Claim 15

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting and forming at least one row of staples in tissue and including an anvil means (15) for forming and clinching staples, and a staple cartridge means (14) for driving staples there from across a gap and toward the anvil means, the anvil means including an anvil housing (110) secured against motion with respect to the cartridge means, an anvil (101) slidably mounted in the housing and defining a plurality of staple pockets (104) for forming and clinching staples in tissue, and cam means (105, 106) in the housing for moving the anvil with respect to the cartridge means such that the gap is adjustable.

Claim 16

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting and forming at least one row of staples in tissue and including an anvil means (15) for forming and clinching staples, and a staple cartridge means (14) for driving staples there from across a gap and toward the anvil means, the anvil means including an anvil housing (110) secured against motion with respect to the cartridge means, an anvil (101) slidably mounted in the housing and defining a plurality of staple pockets (104) for forming and clinching staples in tissue, and cam means (105, 106) in the housing for moving the anvil with respect to the cartridge means such that the gap is adjustable.

Claim 17

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting at least one row of staples in tissue including anvil means (15) for forming and clinching staples and staple cartridge means (14) for driving staples across a gap toward the anvil means, the staple cartridge means including a cartridge body (35), a plurality of paired staple channels in the body, a plurality of staple drivers (40) comprising staple driver leg members, a staple driver leg member (41, 42) disposed in operative relation to each pair of staple channels, and awedgemeans (90) movable through a path in which the drivers lie for engaging and moving the drivers to sequentially fire the staples.

Claim 18

A disposable linear surgical stapler for implanting at least one row of staples in tissue including anvil means (15) for forming and clinching staples and staple cartridge means (14) for driving staples across a gap toward the anvil means, the staple cartridge means including a cartridge body (35), a plurality of paired staple channels in the body, a plurality of staple drivers (40) comprising staple driver leg members, a staple driver leg member (41, 42) disposed in operative relation to each pair of staple channels, and awedgemeans (90) movable through a path in which the drivers lie for engaging and moving the drivers to sequentially fire the staples.

Claim 19

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 13 including a flexible cable (27) attached to the wedge means, and means (18) for applying tension to the cable for pulling the wedge through the path and firing the staples.

Claim 20

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in either Claim 13 or 14 wherein each of the drivers is bifurcated and has two offset staple driving leg members (41, 42), joined at an upper portion thereof, the upper portion defining a tapered cam surface (45, 46) for engagement by the wedge.

Claim 21

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means includes an anvil (101) having a plurality of staple receiving and clinching pockets (104) and means (105, 106) for adjusting the anvil toward and away from the staple cartridge means for varying the gap therebetween.

Claim 22

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means is pivoted to the cartridge means and juxtaposed in a parallel operative relationship therewith, defining a gap (G) therebetween.

Claim 23

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means includes an anvil housing and anvil position adjusting means (105, 106) in the housing for adjusting the position of the anvil with respect to the housing and in a direction to vary the width of the gap between the anvil means and the cartridge means.

Claim 24

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 18 wherein the anvil position adjusting means includes a sliding cam (106) having two cam surfaces (112, 113) corresponding to a retracted anvil position and two second cam surfaces corresponding to a projected anvil position and a smaller gap.

Claim 25

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 19, including two screws (108, 109) mounted in an upper face of the anvil rearward of the staple pockets (104), the screws having heads disposed in sliding engagement with the sliding cam (106) and respective cam surfaces, the screws being rotatable within the anvil for adjustment of the position of the anvil with respect to the sliding cam and the anvil housing.

Claim 26

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 20 further including a retention plate (105) connected to the sliding cam for motion therewith and including a slot (114, 115) at each end through which a respective one on the screws extends.

Claim 27

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means is pivoted at one end to the cartridge means and includes a releasable cartridge latch means (120) disposed at another end thereof.

Claim 28

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means includes a cartridge means positioning receptacle (132, 133) at each end thereof for receiving cartridge positioning and latching projections (130, 131) for positioning the cartridge means with respect to the anvil.

Claim 29

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the stapler is operable to implant and form two staggared rows of staples in tissue and further including a plurality of staggered guide rails (70-77) within the cartridge means and defining driver channels (82) for guiding staple drivers (40) as they are moved by wedge means (90) to fire staples, the staggered guide rails also defining inwardly facing guide surfaces (78) for guiding the wedge means along a drive path.

Claim 30

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in Claim 24 further including a wedge means pocket (65) disposed at a forward end of the cartridge means receiving the wedge means prior to movement thereof along the path.

Claim 31

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 25 wherein guide rails at a forward end of the path within the cartridge means have respective forward tapering surfaces (66, 67i leading from the wedge means pocket (65) to the path for guiding the eedge therebetween when the wedge is pulled toward the drivers.

Claim 32

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 26 wherein each of the drivers

Claim 33

(40) comprises bifurcated, offset, staple driving leg portions (41, 42) joined at upper ends thereof, each upper end having a cam surface (45, 46) sloping upwardly to an apex (47) intermediate the leg portions.

Claim 34

(40) comprises bifurcated, offset, staple driving leg portions (41, 42) joined at upper ends thereof, each upper end having a cam surface (45, 46) sloping upwardly to an apex (47) intermediate the leg portions.

Claim 35

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 27 wherein one of the leg portions (41) of each driver resides between two guide rails (70 - 73) on one side of the cartridge means, and the other leg portion (42) of each driver resides between another two guide rails (74-77) on another side of the cartridge means offset from the other pair of guide rails (70-73).

Claim 36

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28 including an elongated driver blocking rib (83) extending between staple rows at a bottom face of the cartridge means for blocking free movement of drivers (40) out of the cartridge means.

Claim 37

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 including a cartridge lid (36) disposed over the driver channels and capturing the drivers (40) therein, the lid defining an elongated slot (96) aligned with the path for guiding the wedge means (90).

Claim 38

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 30 wherein the wedge means (90) includes a tapered wedge blade (91) extending in the path and a base member (92) slidably disposed on the cartridge lid (36).

Claim 39

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 31 wherein the cartridge means includes a cartridge body (35) housing staple channels, guide rails, drivers and wedge pocket, and further including a cartridge housing (37) enclosing the base member (92) of the wedge means and slidably holding the base member on the cartridge lid (36).

Claim 40

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the anvil means and the cartridge means are pivoted together at a pivot point (16) near rearward ends thereof, and the anvil means comprises an anvil (101) having two ends, each defining a cartridge positioning receptacle (132,133).

Claim 41

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 33 wherein the cartridge means includes a positioning lug (130) extending outwardly of the cartridge means disposed near the pivot point, and positioned to enter one of the cartridge positioning receptacles (132) when the anvil means and cartridge means are pivoted together, and wherein the cartridge means further includes a latching and positioning Lug (131) at a foward end thereof, the latching and pivoting lug extending into another of the cartridge positioning receptacles (133) when the anvil means and cartridge means are pivoted together, for positioning the cartridge means and staple channels in operative position with respect to the anvil means and staple pockets therein.

Claim 42

A disposable linear surgical stapler, as claimed in claim 34 further including latching means (120) disposed at a forward end of the anvil means for receiving and releasably latching the latching and positioning lug (131).