SURGICAL STAPLER WITH PARTIAL POCKETS

摘要

A surgical stapler includes a jaw assembly at a distal end connected to a handle assembly that is configured to control the stapler and actuate the deployment of staples. The surgical stapler successfully eliminates intermediate caming portions commonly known as pushers that are located between the staples and a translating slider. The staples are located in pockets at an angle such that the base of the staple is parallel to an angled caming surface of the slider. The translating slider comes into direct contact with staples during deployment as the slider moves through each staple pocket where staples are partially supported by recesses along the slider pathway. The staples are deployed at an angle against the anvil surface. Because there are no pushers, a great deal of space is saved resulting in a much smaller diameter surgical stapler that is particularly suitable for laparoscopic stapling applications.

主权项

1. A surgical stapler comprising:
a handle assembly; a cartridge assembly connected to the handle assembly; the cartridge assembly having a proximal end and a distal end; the cartridge assembly comprising;
a jaw assembly at the distal end of the cartridge assembly; the jaw assembly comprising;
a first jaw having an anvil surface; anda second jaw having a top surface; the second jaw being movable relative to the first jaw and having a closed position in which the anvil surface is adjacent to a top surface and a gap is defined between the top surface and the anvil surface; the second jaw having a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the top surface; the first surface and second surface defining a first slot between the first surface and the second surface extending along a length of the second jaw; the first slot having a slot width; the first surface having a plurality of recesses formed into the first surface; each recess having a recessed wall, a front sidewall, and a rear sidewall; the second jaw including a plurality of staple pockets; each staple pocket being defined by the recessed wall, front sidewall, rear sidewall, a bottom wall, second surface and an opening to the top surface of the second jaw;an actuator coupled to the handle assembly;a first caming surface having a thickness; the first caming surface being movable by the actuator within the first slot and along a length of the second jaw; and a plurality of staples positioned in the plurality of staple pockets; each staple having a staple width and being positioned within a pocket such that a portion of the staple width resides within the first slot and a portion of the staple width is located in the recess of the first surface; wherein, with translation of the first caming surface within the first slot, the first caming surface passes through one or more staple pockets making contact with that portion of the staple width resident within the first slot to urge the staple out of the opening and against the anvil surface.