Surgical stapling device with a curved cutting member

Abstract

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a curved end-effector which is configured to deploy staples in at least one curved staple line. The surgical stapler can include a staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein, an anvil configured to deform the staples, and a cutting member having a cutting surface. The staple cartridge and / or anvil can include a curved slot configured for receiving and guiding the cutting member wherein at least a portion of the cutting member can be defined by a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the slot. In these embodiments, the curved cutting member can be easily moved within the curved slot thereby reducing the possibility that the cutting member will become stuck within the slot.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The subject application is related to six co-pending and commonly-owned applications filed on even date herewith, the disclosure of each is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, these six applications being respectively entitled:[0002](1) Surgical Stapling Device Having Supports for a Flexible Drive Mechanism to Frederick E. Shelton, IV, and Jerome R. Morgan (K&LNG Docket No. 060334 / END5919USNP);[0003](2) Surgical Stapling Device With a Curved End Effector to Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, and Stephen J. Balek (K&LNG Docket No. 060349 / END5929USNP);[0004](3) Apparatus for Closing a Curved Anvil of a Surgical Stapling Device to Frederick E. Shelton, IV, and Jerome R. Morgan (K&LNG Docket No. 060336 / END5921USNP);[0005](4) Improved Curved End Effector for a Surgical Stapling Device to Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Stephen J. Balek, and Douglas Siebenaler (K&LNG Docket No. 060348 / END5930USNP);[0006](5) ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In various embodiments, the present invention includes a surgical stapler having a curved end-effector which is configured to deploy staples in at least one curved staple line. In at least one embodiment, the surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein, an anvil configured to deform the staples, and a cutting member having a cutting surface. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge and / or anvil can include a curved slot configured for receiving and guiding the cutting member. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the cutting member can be defined by a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the slot. As a result, the curved cutting member can be easily moved within the curved slot thereby reducing the possibility that the cutting member will become stuck within the slot. In at least one embodiment, the surgical stapler can further include a staple driver operably engaged with the cutting member for driving the staples from the staple cartridge against the anvil. In these embodiments, at least a portion of the staple driver can also be curved to substantially match the curvature of the slot.

Problems solved by technology

However, in some circumstances, end-effectors having such a linear configuration are somewhat difficult to use.

More particularly, for example, when the end-effector must be placed adjacent to or against a cavity wall, such as the thoracic cavity wall, for example, it is often difficult for the surgeon to position a jaw of the end effector behind delicate or fragile tissue which is proximal to and / or attached to the cavity wall.

Furthermore, even if the surgeon is successful in positioning a jaw behind the tissue, owing to the linear configuration of the end-effector, the surgeon may not be able to see the distal end of the end-effector.

However, owing to the amount of force that is typically transmitted through the flexible drive member, the drive member may buckle or otherwise deform in an unsuitable manner.

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