Anvil stabilization features for surgical stapler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016374670-A1
Application number	US-201514751506-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 26, 2015
Priority date	Jun 26, 2015
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A surgical instrument for stapling tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an anvil. The shaft assembly includes a stapling head assembly and an actuator. The anvil is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. The anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to staple tissue. The anvil comprises a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen, and an engagement feature. The engagement feature is in communication with the lumen such that the engagement feature is configured to move relative to the axis in response to the rod being directed into the lumen. The engagement feature is configured to selectively couple the shank to the actuator. The proximal end of the engagement feature is radially fixed relative to the axis.

First claim

I/We claim:

1 . A surgical instrument for stapling tissue, the instrument comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending from the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
(i) a stapling head assembly, and
(ii) an actuator; and
(c) an anvil configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator, wherein the anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to staple tissue, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) a head, and
(ii) a shank extending from the head along an axis, the shank comprising:
(A) a proximal end,
(B) a distal end,
(C) a lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and
(D) an engagement feature between the proximal and distal ends,
wherein the engagement feature is in communication with the lumen such that the engagement feature is configured to move relative to the axis in response to the rod being directed into the lumen,
wherein the engagement feature is configured to selectively couple the shank to the actuator,
wherein the proximal end of the engagement feature is radially fixed relative to the axis.

2 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement feature comprises a resilient member.

3 . The surgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the resilient member is configured to flex outwardly relative to the axis in response to the actuator being directed into the lumen.

4 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the resilient member is configured to flex back inwardly in response to the actuator being directed further into the lumen.

5 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the resilient member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the resilient member is configured to flex about the distal end of the resilient member in response to the actuator being directed into the lumen.

6 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the resilient member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the resilient member is configured to flex about the proximal end of the resilient member in response to the actuator being directed into the lumen.

7 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the resilient member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal and distal ends of the resilient member are fixed relative to the axis.

8 . The surgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the resilient member is formed by at least one slit in the shank.

9 . The surgical instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one slit further comprises a longitudinal slit extending parallel to the axis.

10 . The surgical instrument according to claim 8 , further comprising a transverse slit extending transversely relative to the longitudinal slit.

11 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement feature includes a first cam surface and a second cam surface, wherein the engagement feature is configured to move outwardly in response to the actuator riding against the first cam feature, wherein the engagement feature is configured to move inwardly in response to the actuator reaching the second cam feature.

12 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement feature comprises a protrusion, wherein the actuator comprises an annular groove configured to receive the protrusion.

13 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the shank further comprises a plurality of splines extending radially outwardly from the shank.

14 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a trocar.

15 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the shank comprises an outer surface, wherein the outer surface comprises a textured surface region.

16 . A surgical instrument for stapling tissue, the instrument comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending from the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
(i) a stapling head assembly, and
(ii) an actuator; and
(c) an anvil configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator, wherein the anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to cut and staple tissue, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) a head, and
(ii) a shank extending from the head along an axis, the shank comprising:
(A) an engagement feature configured to selectively couple the shank to the rod, and
(B) an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface comprises a first textured gripping region, wherein the first textured gripping region is not longitudinally offset from the engagement feature.

17 . The surgical instrument according to claim 16 , wherein the first textured gripping region comprises a knurled configuration.

18 . The surgical instrument according to claim 16 , further comprising a second textured gripping region, wherein the engagement feature is longitudinally positioned between the first and second textured gripping regions.

19 . The surgical instrument according to claim 16 , wherein the shank further comprises:
(A) a first portion having a first cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first textured gripping region is coincident with the first portion, and (B) a second portion having a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the second cross-sectional dimension is less than the first cross-sectional dimension, wherein the second textured gripping region is coincident with the second portion.

20 . A surgical instrument for stapling tissue, the instrument comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending from the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
(i) a stapling head assembly, and
(ii) an actuator; and
(c) an anvil configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator, wherein the anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to staple tissue, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) a head, and
(ii) a shank extending from the head along an axis, the shank comprising:
(A) a proximal end,
(B) a distal end, and
(C) an engagement feature between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the engagement feature is configured to selectively couple the shank to the rod, wherein the engagement feature comprises a set of resilient arms formed by a plurality of slits formed in the shank.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Fox William D
• Schwemberger Richard F
• Dinardo Brian F
• Miller Christopher C
• Vakharia Omar J
• Scheib Charles J

Classifications

• A61B17/068 Primary

  Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) · CPC title

• A61B17/1155 Primary

  Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples · CPC title

• A61B17/072

  for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously · CPC title

• A61B2017/00433

  knurled · CPC title

• A61B2017/07214

  Stapler heads · CPC title