Patent Application
20250120705
The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments, end effectors, and staple cartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.
In various surgical instruments a sled of a staple cartridge is pushed distally by a firing driver to eject staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. When the firing driver is retracted after the staple firing stroke, in some such instruments, the sled is left behind in a distal fired position. The sled can comprise a tissue cutting knife that remains exposed when the sled is left behind in its distal fired position which can accidentally contact patient tissue. As such, it may be desirable for a sled having a tissue cutting knife to be retracted to a proximal position where a sharp edge, or blade, of the knife is housed in a knife housing to prevent the blade from coming into contact with patient tissue, for example. However, the sled can become stuck as it is being retracted. For instance, one or more of the staple drivers of the staple cartridge can fall down behind the sled during the staple firing stroke which prevents the sled from being retracted. As such it may be desirable for a sled to be comprised of multiple components which can separate such that the knife can still be retracted even if the remainder of the sled cannot. Various multi-component sled and firing driver arrangements disclosed herein address such problems.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a stapling assembly comprising a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a deck including a proximal end and a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck. The stapling assembly further comprises a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned in the staple cavities, a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities, and a sled assembly configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The sled assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a base and at least one rail extending from the base. The rail comprises a distal-facing ramp. The distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke. The rail is comprised of metal. The second component is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.
Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:
Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:
Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.
Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.
Further to the above, the firing driver 40910 comprises a first lateral cam 40914 configured to engage the first jaw 40931 and a second lateral cam 40912 configured to engage the second jaw 40932. The first jaw 40931 comprises a longitudinal cavity 40933 defined therein that is configured to receive the first cam 40914 of the firing driver 40910. Further, the second jaw 40932 comprises a longitudinal cavity 40934 defined therein that is configured to receive the second cam 40912 of the firing driver 40610. During the firing stroke, the first cam 40914 and the second cam 40912 are configured to maintain the position of the first jaw 40931 relative to the second jaw 40932.
Further to the above, referring to
In use, the staple cartridge 40920 is seated in the first jaw 40931 of the end effector 40930 with the sled assembly 40922 positioned in a proximal unfired position and the firing driver 40910 positioned proximal to the sled assembly 40922. The firing driver 40910 comprises opposing arms 40913 that each comprises a resilient cantilever configured to flex laterally outwardly and resiliently return laterally inwardly. The arms 40913 may be part of a metal clip, for example. At the outset of the firing stroke, the firing driver 40910 is advanced distally toward the sled assembly 40922 such that the arms 40913 engage and attach the firing driver 40910 to the knife portion 40940 of the sled assembly 40922. More specifically, each of the arms 40913 comprises a shoulder that snap-fits into a recess 40943 defined in the proximal end of the knife portion 40940 during the firing stroke of the firing driver 40910. That said, the firing driver 40910 can be configured to connect to the knife portion 40940 in any suitable manner. As the knife portion 40940 of the sled assembly 40922 is pushed distally by the firing driver 40910, the distal wall 40942 of the knife portion 40940 abuts a proximal wall 40928 of the wedge portion 40923 (see
Further to the above, the sled assembly 40922 may become stuck and may not be retractable after the firing stroke. For instance, one or more of the drivers 40921 may fall from their fired position toward their unfired position behind the sled assembly 40922 after the sled assembly 40922 has passed thereby during the firing stroke.
Further to the above, the wedge portion 40923 may comprise a first material and the knife portion 40940 comprises a second material that is different than the first material. For example, the wedge portion 40923 is comprised of plastic and the knife portion 40940 is comprised of metal. The wedge portion 40923 may be comprised of polyvinylchloride, for example, and the blade of the knife portion 40940 may be comprised of stainless steel, for example. The knife portion 40940 may comprise a plastic material and the wedge portion 40923 may comprise a metal material.
Referring to
Further to the above, a firing driver, such as the firing driver 40910 discussed above, for example, engages the knife portion 41150 of the sled assembly 41130 during a firing stroke to advance the knife portion 41150 and the wedge portion 41140 together from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position. As the knife portion 41150 is pushed distally by the firing driver, the knife portion 41150 pushes the wedge portion 41140 distally owing to the engagement of the hook portion 41154 of the knife portion 41150 with the proximal protrusion 41145 of the wedge portion 41140. After the firing stroke has been completed, or at least partially completed, the firing driver can be retracted so that the jaws of the stapling system 41100 can be re-opened and/or so that the stapling system 41100 can be reset. As such, the firing driver retracts the knife portion 41150 proximally to its original proximal unfired position within the staple cartridge 41120. The firing driver and/or the knife portion 41150 comprise one or more features that couple the firing driver and knife portion 41150 so that the firing driver can retract the knife portion 41150. The wedge portion 41140, however, remains in the distal fired position within the staple cartridge 41120 and is not retracted with the knife portion 41150. The interface between the knife portion 41150 and the wedge portion 41140 permits the knife portion 41150 to slide proximally away from the wedge portion 41140 as the knife portion 41150 is being retracted.
Further to the above, the knife portion 41150 can rest upon and/or can be supported by the wedge portion 41140 during the staple firing stroke. When the knife portion 41150 is retracted proximally relative to the wedge portion 41140 during the retraction stroke, however, the knife portion 41150 can no longer be supported by the wedge portion 41140. That being said, the cartridge body 41122 is configured to support the knife portion 41150 during the staple firing stroke and the retraction stroke. More specifically, the knife portion 41150 comprises lateral protrusions 41153 that are received within and are supported by the sidewalls of longitudinal recesses 41123 defined in the cartridge body 41122 during the staple firing and retraction strokes. The lateral protrusions 41153 extend longitudinally along the lateral sides of the nose portion 41152 and slide within the longitudinal recesses 41123. Owing to the configuration of the lateral protrusions 41153 and the longitudinal recesses 41123, the knife portion 41150 is prevented from, or at least limited in, moving vertically within the longitudinal slot 41124 of the cartridge body 41122. In any event, the knife, or blade, 41156 of the knife portion 41150 is housed within the knife housing portion 41125 of the cartridge body 41122 when the knife portion 41150 is in its proximal unfired position.
When the knife portion 41150 is retracted into its proximal unfired position by the firing driver, a proximal end 41159 of the knife portion 41150 engages the cartridge slot protrusions 41129 of the cartridge body 41122 which stops the proximal movement of the knife portion 41150. The firing driver is then retracted further proximally into its unfired position which causes the firing driver to detach from the knife portion 41150. As such, the sled assembly 41130 of the staple cartridge 41120 is not attached to the firing driver of the stapling system 41100 when the staple cartridge 41120 is removed from the stapling system 41100. Moreover, the knife, or blade, 41156 of the knife portion 41150 is stored or stowed within the knife housing 41125 of the cartridge body 41122 so that the tissue cutting edge of the knife 41156 is not accidentally touched by a clinician handling the staple cartridge 41120.
A staple cartridge 41800 is depicted in
Further to the above, the wedge portion 41140 may comprise a first material and the knife portion 41150 may comprise a second material that is different than the first material. For example, the wedge portion 41140 may comprise a plastic material and the knife portion 41150 may comprise a metal material. However, the knife portion 41150 may comprise a plastic material and the wedge portion 41140 may comprise a metal material.
Further to the above, the inner rail component 41220 comprises an inner base 41222 and inner rails 41224 extending upward from the inner base 41222. Each of the inner rails 41224 comprises an inner distal ramp 41226. The inner rail component 41220 further comprises a central tab 41223 extending upward from the inner base 41222 and a through hole 41227 extending through the base 41222. The outer rail component 41230 comprises an outer base 41232 and outer rails 41234 extending upward from the outer base 41232. Each of the outer rails 41234 comprises an outer distal ramp 41236. The outer base 41232 further comprises a through hole 41237 defined through the outer base 41232.
To assemble the sled assembly 41200, further to the above, the inner rail component 41220 is placed onto the outer rail component 41230 such that the through hole 41227 of the inner rail component 41220 aligns with the through hole 41237 of the outer rail component 41230. The central nose component 41210 is then placed onto the inner rail component 41220 such that the central tab 41223 of the inner rail component 41220 is received in the cavity 41213 of the central nose component 41210 to align the inner rail component 41220 with the central nose component 41210. Once assembled, the post 41215 of the central nose component 41210 extends through the through hole 41227 of the inner rail component 41220 and the through hole 41237 of the outer rail component 41230 as illustrated in
In use, as discussed above, the sled assembly 41200 is configured to be advanced through a staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke to cammingly engage and move the staple drivers of the staple cartridge from an unfired position to a fired position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. Specifically, the inner distal ramps 41226 and the outer distal ramps 41236 of the sled assembly 41200 are configured to cammingly engage cam drive surfaces on the staple drivers to lift the staple drivers from their unfired positions to their fired positions as the sled assembly 41200 is advanced distally from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position by a firing driver. When the firing driver is retracted after the staple firing stroke, the sled assembly 41200 remains in a distal fired position. In other words, the firing driver is configured to advance the sled assembly 41200 but not retract the sled assembly 41200. However, a firing driver, such as the firing driver 40910, for example, can be attachable to the sled assembly 41200 to advance the sled assembly 41200 from its proximal unfired position to a distal fired position and retract the sled assembly 41200 from a distal fired position to its proximal unfired position.
Further to the above, the inner rail component 41220 and the outer rail component 41230 of the sled assembly 41200 are made from stamped metal and the central nose portion 41210 of the sled assembly 41200 is made of plastic. As discussed above, the inner rail component 41220 and the outer rail component 41230 contact and drive the staple drivers of a staple cartridge to eject the staples out of the staple cartridge and drive the staples against an anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge. Large forces are transmitted through the rail components 41220, 41230 and, as such, constructing the rail components 41220, 41230 can allow the rail components 41220, 41230 to withstand the large forces without deflecting, or substantially deflecting, as a result thereof. If the rails 41224, 41234, respectively, of the rail components 41220, 41230 were to deflect significantly while driving staples against the anvil, however, the staples being driven against the anvil may not be deformed to the proper formed height. More specifically, the formed height of the deformed staples may be too tall and the deformed staples may not properly clinch the patient tissue therein. That said, the metal rail components 41220, 41230 can be stiff and the interfacing surfaces between the cartridge body and the metal rail components 41220, 41230 can resist the movement of the sled assembly 41200 relative to the cartridge body. With this in mind, the central nose component 41210 of the sled assembly 41200 is comprised of plastic and is configured to slide within the cartridge body of the staple cartridge which is also comprised of plastic. The interfacing plastic surfaces between the central nose component 41210 and the cartridge body may provide little resistance to the movement of the sled assembly 41200 relative to the cartridge body.
As described above, the central nose component 41210 is comprised of plastic. In accordance with the present disclosure, the central nose component 41210 may be over-molded onto the inner rail component 41220 and/or the outer rail component 41230 to form the multi-component sled 41200 into a one-piece, unitary structure. Furthermore, the central nose component 41210 may be heat staked onto the inner rail component 41220 and the outer rail component 41230 to form the multi-component sled 41200 into a one-piece, unitary structure. Furthermore, the inner rails 41224 of the inner rail component 41220 may comprise stamped metal and the remainder of the inner rail component may be comprised of plastic which has been over-molded and/or heat staked onto the inner rails 41224. Furthermore, the outer rails 41234 of the outer rail component 41230 may comprise stamped metal and the remainder of the outer rail component may be comprised of plastic which has been over-molded and/or heat staked onto the outer rails 41234.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a sled rail can be comprised of metal or plastic. A sled rail can be comprised of both metal and plastic. Referring again to
Referring again to
Further to the above, the staple cartridge 41500 comprises a cartridge body 41502 including a longitudinal slot 41504 and a plurality of staple cavities 41506 defined therein. The staple cavities 41506 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows in the cartridge body 41502. Specifically, three rows of staple cavities 41506 are arranged on a first side of the longitudinal slot 41504 and three rows of staple cavities 41506 are arranged on a second side of the longitudinal slot 41504 opposite the first side; however, any suitable arrangement can be utilized. The staple cartridge 41500 further comprises a plurality of staple drivers 41510 movably positioned in the cartridge body 41502. Each of the staple drivers 41510 comprises a staple support portion that moves within a staple cavity 41506 and is configured to support a staple thereon.
Further to the above, the staple cartridge 41500 comprises a multi-component sled 41520 including a nose component 41530 and a wedge component 41540 that are movable relative to one another. The wedge component 41540 comprises a base 41542 and a plurality of rails 41544 extending upward from the base 41542. Specifically, two rails 41544 are positioned on a first side of a central portion 41543 of the base 41542 and two rails 41544 are positioned on a second side of the central portion 41543 opposite the first side. The central portion 41543 of the base 41542 comprises a concave surface 41545 configured to receive a portion of the drive screw 41405—but is not threadably engaged with the drive screw 41405—when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400. Further, each of the rails 41544 comprises a distal ramp 41546 facing distally and configured to cammingly engage the staple drivers 41510 to eject the staples from the staple cartridge 41500. The central portion 41543 comprises an upstanding body 41547 and a knife 41549 pivotably connected to the upstanding body 41547 by a pin 41548. Further, the wedge component 41540 comprises flexible tabs 41541 extending proximally from the inner most rails of the rails 41544, i.e., closest to the central portion 41543. The flexible tabs 41541 are bent inwardly toward each other.
Further to the above, the nose component 41530 of the multi-component sled 41520 comprises a base 41532 and an upstanding body 41534 extending upward from the base 41532. The base 41532 comprises a concave surface 41536 and proximally extending tabs 41537 on either side of the concave surface 41536. Each of the tabs 41537 comprises an inward detent 41537a extending toward one another. The tabs 41537 are configured to latchingly engage with the lateral recesses 41417 of the firing driver 41410, as discussed further below. Further, the concave surface 41536 is configured to receive a portion of the drive screw 41405—but is not threadably engaged with the drive screw 41405—when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400. As such, the wedge component 41540 and the nose component 41530 of the sled 41520 are configured to be seated onto and/or over the drive screw 41405 when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400. After the staple cartridge 41500 is seated in the end effector 41400, the firing driver 41410 can be advanced distally toward the sled 41520 to perform the staple firing stroke. As the firing driver 41410 approaches the sled 41520, the firing driver 41410 abuts proximal surfaces 41531a, 41531b of the nose component 41530 to advance the nose component 41530 distally relative the wedge component 41540.
Further to the above, the upstanding body 41534 of the nose component 41530 comprises a cavity 41535 defined therein. The cavity 41535 is configured to receive the upstanding body 41547 of the wedge component 41540 therein. At the outset of the staple firing stroke, a proximal sidewall of the cavity 41535 of the nose component 41530 cammingly engages the knife 41549 of the wedge component 41540 to rotate the knife 41549 from a retracted position (
When the firing driver 41410 abuts the sled 41520 to advance the sled 41520 distally, further to the above, the proximal tabs 41537 of the nose component 41530 of the sled 41520 latchingly engage the lateral recesses 41417 of the firing driver 41410 to operably couple the nose component 41530 of the sled 41520 to the firing driver 41410. After the firing driver 41410 advances the sled 41520 distally to a completely fired, or at least partially fired position, the nose component 41530 is retracted proximally with the firing driver 41410 owing to this coupling. As the nose component 41530 is retracted proximally from the position in
As the wedge component 41540 is advanced distally during the staple firing stroke, the flexible tabs 41541 extending proximally from the wedge component 41540 are generally compressed inwardly by the cartridge body 41502. That said, the flexible tabs 41541 are afforded room to resiliently flex outwardly into the staple cavities 41506 as the flexible tabs 41541 pass by the staple cavities 41506 during the staple firing stroke. Such resilient flexing and relaxing of the flexible tabs 41541 during the staple firing stroke does not stop the staple firing stroke; however, in the event that the wedge component 41540 were to be pulled proximally after being advanced through at least a portion of the staple firing stroke, the proximal ends of the flexible tabs 41541 are configured to engage the sidewalls of a staple cavity 41506 and prevent the retraction of the wedge component 41540. As such, the nose component 41530 is retractable proximally with the firing driver 41410, but not the wedge component 41540. When the nose component 41530 is retracted back into its proximal unfired position, the nose component 41530 contacts a stop surface of the cartridge body 41502 which prevents the nose component 41530 from being further retracted proximally. At such point, however, the firing driver 41410 has not yet been returned to its proximal unfired position. When the firing driver 41410 is further retracted with enough force, the proximal tabs 41537 of the nose component 41530 disengage from the lateral recesses 41417 of the firing driver 41410 to decouple the nose component 41530 from the firing driver 41410. The firing driver 41410 can then be retracted back into its original proximal unfired position to permit the spent staple cartridge 41500 to be removed from the end effector 41400. Owing to the recessed position of the knife 41549 in such instances, the possibility of a user coming into contact with the knife 41549 while removing the staple cartridge 41500 from the end effector 41400 is reduced.
Further to the above, the sled 41630 of the staple cartridge 41620 is configured to be moved from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position by a firing driver, such as the firing driver 40910 (
Further to the above, the staple cartridge 41620 comprises a movable knife housing 41640 positioned at a distal end 41623 of the cartridge body 41621 within the longitudinal slot 41624. The knife housing 41640 comprises a proximal opening 41642 and a proximal ramp 41644 and slides within a track defined in the cartridge body 41621. The track comprises a vertical slot that extends orthogonally to the longitudinal slot 41624; however, the track can extend in any suitable direction. In use, the knife housing 41640 is movable relative to the cartridge body 41621 between a recessed positon (
Further to the above, the sled 41630 can be prevented from moving proximally and exposing the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629 after the firing stroke is completed owing to the engagement of the sled 41630 with the cartridge body 41621. More specifically, the sled 41630 may comprise proximal engagement features, such as the flexible tabs 41541 (see
Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following examples.
Example 1—A stapling assembly comprising a cartridge body (40920, 41122). The cartridge body comprises a deck (41126) including a proximal end and a distal end, a longitudinal slot (41124) extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and a plurality of staple cavities (41127) defined in the deck. The stapling assembly further comprises a plurality of staple drivers (40921) movably positioned in the staple cavities, a plurality of staples (40929) removably stored in the staple cavities, and a sled assembly (40922, 41130) configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The sled assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The first component (40923, 41140) comprises a base (40926, 41142) and at least one rail (40925, 41140) extending from the base. The rail comprises a distal-facing ramp (40924, 41146). The distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke. The rail is comprised of metal. The second component (40940, 41150) is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.
Example 2—The stapling assembly of Example 1, wherein the second component is comprised of plastic.
Example 3—The stapling assembly of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the first component and the second component are coupled in the first configuration, and wherein the first component and the second component are decoupled in the second configuration.
Example 4—The stapling assembly of Example 3, further comprising a first jaw (40931), a second jaw (40932) rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position, and a firing driver (40910) movable distally during the staple firing stroke and movable proximally during the retraction stroke. The firing driver moves the sled assembly distally during the staple firing stroke.
Example 5—The stapling assembly of Example 4, wherein the firing driver is configured to retract the first component during the retraction stroke.
Example 6—The stapling assembly of Example 4, wherein the firing driver is configured to retract the second component during the retraction stroke.
Example 7—The stapling assembly of Example 6, wherein the firing driver is configured to operably attach to the second component during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the firing driver is configured to operably detach from the second component during the retraction stroke.
Example 8—The stapling assembly of Example 7, wherein the firing driver comprises at least one lock arm (40913) configured to releasably couple the firing driver to the second component.
Example 9—The stapling assembly of Example 6, wherein the first component is unconnected to the firing driver, and wherein the first component is not retracted with the firing driver during the retraction stroke.
Example 10—The stapling assembly of Examples 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein the first component comprises a protrusion (40927), wherein the second component comprises a cutout (40947) engaged with the protrusion to couple the second component with the first component when the sled assembly is in the first configuration, and wherein the cutout is disengaged from the protrusion when the sled assembly is in the second configuration.
Example 11—The stapling assembly of Example 10, wherein the rail of the first component comprises a first rail, wherein the first component further comprises a second rail extending from the base, wherein the second rail comprises a second distal-facing ramp, wherein the second distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the protrusion extends between the first rail and the second rail.
Example 12—The stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, wherein the second component comprises plastic overmolded onto the metal of the rail.
Example 13—The stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein the rail of the first component comprises a first rail, wherein the first component further comprises a second rail extending from the base, wherein the second rail comprises a second distal-facing ramp, wherein the second distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, wherein the second rail is comprised of metal, and wherein the first rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot and the second rail is positioned on a second lateral side of the longitudinal slot.
Example 14—The stapling assembly of Example 13, wherein the first component further comprises a third rail extending from the base, wherein the third rail comprises a third distal-facing ramp, wherein the third distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, wherein the third rail is comprised of plastic, and wherein the third rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot.
Example 15—The stapling assembly of Example 14, wherein the first rail is positioned closer to the longitudinal slot than the third rail.
Example 16—The stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, wherein the second component comprises a knife (40945, 41156, 41549, 41629, 41832).
Example 17—The stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the staple assembly is replaceable.
Example 18—A stapling assembly comprising a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises a deck including a proximal end and a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck. The stapling assembly further comprises a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned in the staple cavities, a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities, and a sled assembly configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The sled assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a base and at least one rail extending from the base. The rail comprises a distal-facing ramp. The distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke. The rail is comprised of metal. The second component is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.
Example 19—The stapling assembly of Example 18, wherein the second component is comprised of plastic.
Example 20—The stapling assembly of Examples 18 or 19, wherein the first component and the second component are coupled in the first configuration, and wherein the first component and the second component are decoupled in the second configuration.
Example 21—The stapling assembly of Example 20, further comprises a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position, and a firing driver movable distally during the staple firing stroke and movable proximally during the retraction stroke. The firing driver moves the sled assembly distally during the staple firing stroke.
Example 22—The stapling assembly of Example 21, wherein the firing driver is configured to retract the first component during the retraction stroke.
Example 23—The stapling assembly of Example 21, wherein the firing driver is configured to retract the second component during the retraction stroke.
Example 24—The stapling assembly of Example 23, wherein the firing driver is configured to operably attach to the second component during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the firing driver is configured to operably detach from the second component during the retraction stroke.
Example 25—The stapling assembly of Example 24, wherein the firing driver comprises at least one lock arm configured to releasably couple the firing driver to the second component.
Example 26—The stapling assembly of Example 23, wherein the first component is unconnected to the firing driver, and wherein the first component is not retracted with the firing driver during the retraction stroke.
Example 27—The stapling assembly of Examples 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26, wherein the first component comprises a protrusion, wherein the second component comprises a cutout engaged with the protrusion to couple the second component with the first component when the sled assembly is in the first configuration, and wherein the cutout is disengaged from the protrusion when the sled assembly is in the second configuration.
Example 28—The stapling assembly of Example 27, wherein the rail of the first component comprises a first rail, wherein the first component further comprises a second rail extending from the base, wherein the second rail comprises a second distal-facing ramp, wherein the second distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the protrusion extends between the first rail and the second rail.
Example 29—The stapling assembly of Examples 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28, wherein the second component comprises plastic overmolded onto the metal of the rail.
Example 30—The stapling assembly of Examples 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, wherein the rail of the first component comprises a first rail, wherein the first component further comprises a second rail extending from the base, wherein the second rail comprises a second distal-facing ramp, wherein the second distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, wherein the second rail is comprised of metal, and wherein the first rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot and the second rail is positioned on a second lateral side of the longitudinal slot.
Example 31—The stapling assembly of Example 30, wherein the first component further comprises a third rail extending from the base, wherein the third rail comprises a third distal-facing ramp, wherein the third distal-facing ramp is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke, wherein the third rail is comprised of plastic, and wherein the third rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot.
Example 32—The stapling assembly of Example 31, wherein the first rail is positioned closer to the longitudinal slot than the third rail.
Example 33—The stapling assembly of Examples 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, or 32, wherein the second component comprises a knife.
Example 34—The stapling assembly of Examples 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, or 33, wherein the stapling assembly is replaceable.
Example 35—A stapling system comprising a stapling instrument and a staple cartridge. The stapling instrument comprising a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position, and a firing driver movable distally during a firing stroke and movable proximally during a retraction stroke. The staple cartridge is positioned in the first jaw. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staple drivers, staples, and a sled assembly. The cartridge body comprises a deck, a longitudinal slot, staple cavities defined in the deck, and a longitudinal recess. The deck includes a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The longitudinal recess extends laterally from the longitudinal slot. The staple drivers are movably positioned in the staple cavities. The staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The sled assembly comprises a ramp portion and a central nose portion. The ramp portion is configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke. The ramp portion comprises metal. The central nose portion is movable within the longitudinal slot. The central nose portion comprises a plastic portion and a knife. The plastic portion comprises a lateral protrusion. The ramp portion and the central nose portion are moved from a proximal position to a distal position by the firing driver during the firing stroke. Only the central nose portion is retracted from the distal position to the proximal position by the firing driver during the retraction stroke. The lateral protrusion is configured to be supported by the longitudinal recess as the central nose portion moves between the proximal position and the distal position.
Example 36—The stapling system of Example 35, wherein the knife comprises a metal knife blade.
Example 37—A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a staple driver, staples, and a sled assembly. The cartridge body comprises a deck, a longitudinal slot, and a staple cavity defined in the deck. The deck includes a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The staple driver is movably positioned in the staple cavity. The staple driver is movable from an unfired position to a fired position. The staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The sled assembly is movable distally through a firing stroke by a firing driver to move the staple driver from the unfired position to the fired position. The sled assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises ramps. The ramps are configured to engage the staple driver and move the staple driver from the unfired position to the fired position to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke. The second portion is movable within the longitudinal slot. The second portion comprises a knife. The first portion and the second portion are moved from a proximal position to a distal position by the firing driver during the firing stroke. The first portion and the second portion are moved from the distal position toward the proximal position by the firing driver during a retraction stroke. The first portion and the second portion operably decoupled from one another when the first portion engages the staple driver in the unfired position such that only the second portion is retracted proximally into the proximal position by the firing driver during the retraction stroke.
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The entire disclosures of:
The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the present disclosure may not be so limited. The present disclosure envisions that fasteners other than staples can be deployed, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, the present disclosure envisions utilizing any suitable means for sealing tissue. An end effector in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, an end effector in accordance with the present disclosure can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue.
Although various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.
It is worthy to note that any reference numbers included in the appended claims are used to reference exemplary embodiments/elements described in the present disclosure. Accordingly, any such reference numbers are not meant to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the appended claims.
The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps including, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, after cleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.
The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.
While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.
