Elongated-member-driving apparatus – Surgical stapler – With magazine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-10
2001-11-13
Smith, Scott A. (Department: 3721)
Elongated-member-driving apparatus
Surgical stapler
With magazine
C227S019000, C227S180100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315183
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to an improved stapler and cartridge for joining layers of body tissues.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the introduction of surgical staplers, they have enjoyed substantial success with surgeons for a variety of procedures. Staplers have improved many surgical procedures because of their ability to perform uniform tissue-fastening and consistent results with a squeeze of a handle. In meeting the ever-increasing demand for improvements, numerous changes have been made over the years in surgical staplers and cartridges. However, in spite of the substantial success which staplers have enjoyed and the substantial efforts expended in achieving improvements, several areas have remained completely incapable of resolution, until the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,628; U.S. 4,566,620; U.S. 5,111,987; and U.S. 5,425,745 are exemplary of currently used staplers which exist in the prior art. One characteristic feature of these staplers is that pusher bars and complex linkages are used to clamp, connect and divide layers of body tissues. Another characteristic feature is that they are disposable.
One of the principal drawbacks encountered with current staplers is their high costs. Despite their advantages over needles and thread, staplers have been under-utilized because of their high costs. Much of the high costs is due to complexity and numerous internal parts which are difficult to clean and sterilize. These difficulties have resulted in a practice of disposing staplers after a single use. Costs of disposing staplers has been somewhat offset by the use of plastic materials, however, a substantial cost penalty continues to exist.
Another drawback with some current staplers is that actuation of separate levers are required to clamp body tissues and to clinch staples.
Another drawback with some current staplers and cartridges is their size which limits their applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
All of the drawbacks and difficulties encountered with current staplers are completely overcome with the present invention. In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention provides a reusable stapler which is easily cleaned and sterilized, is adaptable to endoscopic and open wound surgery and is improved in function.
In a first aspect of the invention, a pair of jaws are pivotally connected along a common centerline with a pivot axis of a pair of interconnected handles to join layers of body tissue with closely spaced rows of wire staples. The staples are supplied in a disposable cartridge which is detachably mounted in one of the jaws. The cartridge may also include a knife for separating the body tissues between a pair of adjacent rows of staples.
One advantage of the first aspect is that the jaws and handles are exposed for cleaning and sterilizing with existing methods and equipment. Another advantage is that a high force with minimum friction is provided for firing and clinching staples. The high force and minimum friction improves a surgeon's control over operation of the stapler. Another advantage is that the handles are used for clamping body tissues and clinching staples. Still yet another advantage is that complexity is substantially reduced over current staplers. Another feature of the invention is that a detent is provided on the handles' pivot axis for clamping and positioning the stapler prior to clinching the staples. The detent permits a surgeon to clamp and inspect the position of the stapler with respect to body tissues before clinching staples. If the surgeon is satisfied with the position of the staples, a simple squeeze of a handle fires the staples through the tissue and clinches the ends of the staples.
The cartridge which itself is believed to be novel consists of a staple retaining member and a staple ejecting member. The two members are initially partially engaged to ensure proper alignment of the staples with a staple ejecting member. One advantage of the cartridge, as will be fully understood in an ensuing detailed description, is that the size of the cartridge is reduced during the clinching of the staples. This assists a surgeon in removing the stapler more easily from surgical fields, including endoscopic surgery. An optional feature of the cartridge is that pre-formed hinge points are provided to reduce the required force for clinching the staples. This permits the stapler to be reduced.
In a second aspect of the invention, a pair of pivotally connected members serve as handles and jaws for clamping layers of body tissue and clinching parallel arranged rows of staples. The staples are provided in a disposable cartridge heretofore described.
In a third aspect of the invention, a pair of handles are connected to a pair of pivotally connected jaws by a pair of short links and a long slender rod.
In employing the teaching of the present invention, a plurality of additional alternate constructions can be developed to achieve the desired features of the current invention. The embodiments herein described are intended as examples and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Further benefits and features of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description and drawings which disclose the invention. The property in which exclusive rights are claimed is set forth in each of the numbered claims at the conclusion of the detailed description.
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Rhodes Alex
Smith Scott A.
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