Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110226837 | SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT - A surgical stapler can comprise an anvil comprising a staple pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface. The staple pocket can comprise a midline or centerline, a first forming cup, and a second forming cup. The first forming cup can comprise a first interior sidewall comprising a first vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The second forming cup can comprise a second interior sidewall comprising a second vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The first vertical portion and the second vertical portion can extend through the centerline, wherein the first interior sidewall and the second interior sidewall can comprise a trap for deforming a first staple leg of a staple to a first side of the centerline and for deforming a second staple leg of the staple to a second side of the centerline. | 09-22-2011 |
20120160721 | STAPLE CARTRIDGE LOADING ASSEMBLY - A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. | 06-28-2012 |
20130068816 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND BUTTRESS MATERIAL - An apparatus including a surgical instrument may be used to sever and staple a portion of tissue. In some versions, the apparatus comprises a retainer cap. The retainer cap is in communication with the surgical instrument. The apparatus also comprises buttress material operable to couple with a portion of the surgical instrument. In some versions, the buttress material may comprise a plurality of tabs or other similar structures for coupling the buttress material to the surgical instrument. In some versions, a cutter may be operable to decouple the buttress material from the surgical instrument. | 03-21-2013 |
20130146638 | REUSABLE LINEAR STAPLER CARTRIDGE DEVICE FOR TISSUE THICKNESS MEASUREMENT - A surgical instrument includes a body, a removable insert including a measurement indicator, and an end effector positioned at a distal end of the body. The end effector has a distal interior surface facing a proximal end of the body. The end effector is configured to receive the insert. An actuation feature is in communication with the end effector and the insert when the insert is received in the end effector. The actuation feature is configured to advance the insert distally toward the distal interior surface of the end effector. The measurement indicator of the removable insert is configured to determine the thickness of tissue positioned between the removable insert and the distal interior surface of the end effector. Based on the measured tissue thickness, a user selects a cartridge configured to at least staple (and perhaps also sever) the measured tissue. The cartridge is received within the end effector. | 06-13-2013 |
20130153631 | FEATURE TO LOCK KNOB OF TISSUE STAPLER - A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis comprises a stapling head assembly, an actuator handle assembly, a shaft assembly, a safety latch, and a locking member. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil that moves relative to a staple holder and a staple driver to drive staples from the staple holder into tissue and against the anvil. The actuator handle assembly has a first actuator that controls motion of the anvil and a second actuator that controls motion of the staple driver. The shaft assembly couples the stapling head assembly to the actuator handle assembly. The safety latch prevents operation of the second actuator when the gap between the anvil and staple holder is outside a predetermined range. The locking member is configured to prevent adjustment of the anvil gap after the desired staple height has been set inside the predetermined range. | 06-20-2013 |
20130175318 | TISSUE STAPLER ANVIL FEATURE TO PREVENT PREMATURE JAW OPENING - A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175320 | RATCHETING FEATURE ON TISSUE STAPLE TRIGGER TO PREVENT PREMATURE JAW OPENING - A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body. | 07-11-2013 |
20160030038 | TISSUE STAPLER ANVIL FEATURE TO PREVENT PREMATURE JAW OPENING - A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature. | 02-04-2016 |