Surgical stapling device with dissecting tip

Abstract

A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 764,103, filed Jan. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by referenceBACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] This application relates to a surgical stapling device. More particularly, this application relates to a surgical stapling device having an improved tip construction for accessing and / or separating tissue. [0004] 2. Background of Related Art [0005] Surgical staple or fastener applying devices for joining tissue are well known. Typically, such devices include opposing jaw structure for grasping and clamping selected tissue, wherein one of the jaws of the opposing jaw structure includes a cartridge which houses a plurality of staples or fasteners. In some instruments, a knife is provided to cut tissue which has been joined by the staples or fasteners. [0006] Linear surgical stapling devices, for example, include two elongated members which are relatively moveable to capture...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, a dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapling device and, especially, a linear surgical stapling device, including an end effector having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip is supported on the end effector, preferably, on the distal end of the anvil assembly. The dissecting tip can instead or also be supported on the distal end of the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip can be positioned to extend distally from the anvil assembly and includes a body having an outer surface, an inner surface and a distal tip. The body may assume a variety of configurations. For example, the body may include inner and / or outer surfaces which are curved along the longitudinal and / or transverse axis of the anvil assembly and extend downwardly towards the cartridge assembly. In another preferred embodiment, the inner and / or outer surfaces are substantially flat. In yet another preferred embodiment, the inner and / or outer surfaces include a pair of flat sections interconnected by a curved transition section. Preferably, the width of the dissecting tip decreases from the proximal end of the dissecting tip to the distal end of the dissecting tip. The distal tip of the dissecting tip is preferably rounded and blunt to prevent snagging, pulling and / or cutting of tissue.

Problems solved by technology

These procedures require extra steps and devices and can be time consuming and expensive especially during endoscopic procedures.

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