Stitching device with gap locking component

Abstract

This disclosure provides a suture device with a gap locking member. A tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotally connected to each other. A locking member is rotatably supported on a distal portion of the cartridge assembly and positioned for reception in a hole defined in the distal portion of the anvil. The locking member is operably coupled to a slide for advancing a staple from the cartridge assembly. Advancement of the slide causes the locking member to rotate relative to the hole to approach the distal portion of the anvil and cartridge assembly.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 913,961, filed October 11, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a surgical suturing device, and more specifically, to a linear surgical suturing device having a tool assembly defining a tissue gap, and including a locking member to maintain the tissue gap during firing of the suturing device. Background Technology

[0004] Surgical suturing devices are commonly used during various surgical procedures to suture and / or cut tissue. Compared to conventional suturing techniques, the use of surgical suturing devices allows for faster suturing and cutting of tissue. Furthermore, endoscopic suturing devices can be used for less invasive surgical procedures compared to conventional suturing techniques. Therefore, the use of surgical suturing devices in certain surgical procedures is desirable to reduce patient trauma and shorten recovery time.

[0005] Typically, linear endoscopic surgical suturing devices comprise a tool assembly with a staple cartridge and an anvil assembly movable relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position. The staple cartridge defines a plurality of staple recesses for receiving staples, and the anvil assembly defines a plurality of staple deformation recesses. When the tool assembly is in the clamped position, the staple deformation recesses of the anvil assembly align with the staple recesses of the staple cartridge such that, upon firing the suturing device, the studs are received within and deformed within the staple deformation recesses. The staple cartridge and anvil assembly must be properly aligned to achieve proper staple shaping.

[0006] Generally, the cartridge and anvil assembly have proximal ends secured to each other via a pivoting member, allowing them to pivot from an open position to a clamped position. In the open position, the distal ends of the cartridge and anvil assembly are spaced apart, while in the clamped position, they are aligned side-by-side. During firing of the nail from the cartridge, the force applied to the cartridge and anvil assembly tends to deflect them outwards away from each other. Some suture devices provide a knife bar comprising an upper and lower bar that engages with the anvil assembly and cartridge to minimize deflection of the cartridge and anvil assembly during firing. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a tool assembly comprising an anvil, a cartridge assembly, a slide, and a locking member. The anvil and cartridge assembly each have a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cartridge assembly is pivotally coupled to the proximal portion of the anvil. The distal portion of the anvil defines a hole therein. The slide is slidably received in the cartridge assembly and configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position to advance a nail from the cartridge assembly. The locking member is rotatably supported on the distal portion of the cartridge assembly and positioned for reception in the hole. The locking member is operatively coupled to the slide such that advance of the slide from the proximal position to the distal position causes the locking member to rotate relative to the hole to approach the distal portion of the anvil and cartridge assembly.

[0008] In various aspects, the locking member may have an extension having a threaded outer surface. A hole in the distal portion of the anvil may be defined by a threaded inner surface configured to threadly engage with the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member.

[0009] In each respect, the anvil and chamber assembly are movable between an expanded position and a first approach position, in which the extension of the locking member is spaced apart from the hole in the anvil, and in the first approach position, the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member engages with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

[0010] In various aspects, the anvil and chamber assembly can be configured to move from a first approach position to a second approach position in response to rotation of the locking member when the threaded outer surface of the locking member engages with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

[0011] In various aspects, the tool assembly may further include a tether having a proximal portion connected to the slide and a distal portion disposed around the locking member, such that translation of the slide causes rotation of the locking member via the tether.

[0012] In various aspects, the locking component may have a cylindrical portion rotatably supported within the bin assembly. The distal end of the tether may be secured around the cylindrical portion.

[0013] In various aspects, the tool assembly may further include a biasing member housed within the cylinder portion and coupled to the bin assembly. The biasing member may be configured to actuate the tether in a distal direction.

[0014] In all aspects, the locking component can be spring-biased to push the tether in the distal direction.

[0015] In various aspects, the tether may be an annular band defining multiple orifices. The locking component may have multiple circumferentially spaced protrusions configured to be received in the corresponding multiple orifices.

[0016] In various respects, the slide may have a pin extending from it and received in one of a plurality of orifices, such that translation of the slide causes the belt to move along a circular path.

[0017] In all aspects, the distal portion of the anvil may have a tissue dissecter, and the tissue dissecter may define an aperture.

[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a surgical suturing device is provided, comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, a drive shaft, and a tool assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, and the drive shaft has a proximal portion operatively coupled to the trigger. The tool assembly is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated body and includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly, a tether, and a locking member. The anvil and cartridge assembly each have proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion of the cartridge assembly is pivotally coupled to the proximal portion of the anvil between an expanded position and an approach position. The distal portion of the anvil defines an aperture therein. The tether has a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion of the drive shaft. The locking member is rotatably supported on the distal portion of the cartridge assembly and positioned for reception within the aperture. The tether has a distal portion disposed around and coupled to the locking member such that, when the cartridge assembly and the anvil are in the approach position, advance of the drive shaft causes the locking member to rotate relative to and within the aperture to approach the distal portion of the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

[0019] In various aspects, the locking member may have an extension having a threaded outer surface. A hole in the distal portion of the anvil may be defined by a threaded inner surface configured to threadly engage with the threaded outer surface of the locking member's extension when the anvil and cartridge assembly are in a proximal position.

[0020] In all aspects, in the expanded position, the extension of the locking member can be spaced apart from the hole in the anvil, and in the approach position, the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member can engage with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

[0021] In various aspects, the locking component may have a cylindrical portion rotatably supported within the bin assembly. The cylindrical portion allows the distal end of the tether to be secured around the cylindrical portion.

[0022] In various aspects, the tool assembly may further include a biasing member housed within the cylinder portion and coupled to the bin assembly. The biasing member may be configured to actuate the tether in a distal direction.

[0023] In all aspects, the locking component can be spring-biased to push the tether in the distal direction.

[0024] In various aspects, the tether may be an annular band defining multiple orifices. The locking component may have multiple circumferentially spaced protrusions configured to be received in the corresponding multiple orifices.

[0025] In various aspects, the tool assembly may further include a slide slidably housed within the cartridge assembly. The slide interconnects the distal portion of the drive shaft with the proximal portion of the tether. The slide may be configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position in response to actuation of a trigger to advance the pin from the cartridge assembly.

[0026] In various aspects, the locking component can be configured to rotate in response to movement of the slide between a proximal position and a distal position. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Various embodiments of the disclosed linear surgical suture device, including tool components, are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 It is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed suturing apparatus including a tool assembly in the open position;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the tool assembly of the suture device in the open position, as shown in the image;

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the tool components shown in the image;

[0031] Figure 3A This shows the channels for the locking components, biasing components, and housing assembly. Figure 3 A magnified view of the detailed area shown in the image;

[0032] Figure 4A It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the tool assembly along its longitudinal axis is shown in the figure, with the anvil and chamber assembly in the first approach position;

[0033] Figure 4B This shows the locking component of the chamber assembly that engages with the threaded hole in the anvil. Figure 4A A magnified view of the detailed area shown in the image;

[0034] Figure 5 It shows the locking component. Figure 4A The bottom perspective of the tool component's container component shown in the image has been partially removed;

[0035] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the longitudinal axis of the container assembly is shown in the figure, with the slide of the tool assembly in the distal position;

[0036] Figure 7 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the tool assembly along its longitudinal axis is shown in the figure, with the anvil and chamber assembly in the second closest position;

[0037] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the tool component; and

[0038] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The bottom perspective of the tool component's container component shown in the image has been partially removed. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The disclosed surgical suturing apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in each of the several views refer to the same or corresponding elements. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of this disclosure and can be implemented in various forms. To avoid unnecessarily obscuring this disclosure, well-known functions or constructions have not been described in detail. Therefore, the specific construction and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but should only serve as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use this disclosure in different ways with any practically appropriate detailed structure.

[0040] This disclosure provides a tool assembly including a locking member rotatably supported within a cartridge assembly of the tool assembly. The anvil of the tool assembly has a threaded inner surface defining a bore in a distal portion of the anvil. When the tool assembly approaches tissue at a selected distance, the locking member is positioned to receive within the bore of the anvil. The locking member has a threaded outer surface configured to thread-engage with the threaded inner surface of the anvil. The locking member is operatively coupled to a nail-firing member such that actuation of the nail-firing member rotates the locking member. The tool assembly is configured to further approach tissue in response to rotation of the locking member within the bore of the anvil to maintain a clearance distance between the anvil and the distal end of the cartridge assembly.

[0041] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the part of the device closer to the clinician, while the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the part of the device farther from the clinician. Additionally, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and support staff.

[0042] exist Figure 1In this design, a surgical suturing device is generally shown as a suturing device 10, and includes a handle assembly 12, an elongated body 14, and a staple reload 16. The elongated body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a coupled to the handle assembly 12 and a distal portion 14b supporting the staple reload 16. The staple reload 16 includes a proximal body portion 18 and a tool assembly 20. The proximal body portion 18 is releasably coupled to the distal portion 14b of the elongated body 14. Alternatively, the staple reload 16 and the elongated body 14 may be integrally formed such that the tool assembly 20 is fixedly attached to the elongated body 14. In other respects, the tool assembly 20 may be directly attached to the distal portion 14b of the elongated body 14.

[0043] Handle assembly 12 includes a housing 22 defining a fixed grip 24 and supporting a movable trigger 26 and a rotary knob 28. The rotary knob 28 is coupled to a distal portion of the housing 22 for rotation and supports an elongated body 14 such that rotation of the rotary knob 28 causes the elongated body 14 to rotate about a longitudinal axis “X”. The movable trigger 26 is supported by the housing 22 and is pivotable relative to the fixed grip 24 to actuate the tool assembly 20. In an embodiment, the rotary knob 28 also supports a hinged knob 30, which is pivotable or rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis “X” to hinge the tool assembly 20 from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” to a position not aligned with the longitudinal axis “X”. Although shown as a manually operated handle assembly 12, it is contemplated that the handle assembly 12 may be electrically or pneumatically powered and may be suitable for use with or coupled to a robotic surgical system.

[0044] Figure 2-7 A tool assembly 20 is shown comprising an anvil 34 and a storage compartment 36 movably connected to each other. Each of the anvil 34 and the storage compartment 36 includes proximal portions 34a, 36a and distal portions 34b, 36b. The proximal portion 34a of the anvil 34 is connected to the proximal portion 36a of the storage compartment 36 via a pivot member 38, such that the tool assembly 20 can be in an open position (…). Figure 2 ) and the first proximity position ( Figure 4A Pivoting between ) . In an embodiment, the bin assembly 36 includes defining a longitudinal slot 42 ( Figure 3 The suture device 10 comprises a channel 40 and a staple cartridge 44 having a tissue contact surface 46. The staple cartridge 44 defines a plurality of staple recesses 48 and is received within a longitudinal slot 42 of the channel 40. In some embodiments, the staple cartridge 44 is adapted to be released from the channel 40 after firing of the suture device 10 and replaced with a new or loaded staple cartridge 44. Each of the staple recesses 48 is configured and sized to receive a staple 70. In an embodiment, the staple cartridge 44 has a tissue guiding portion 50 angled distally from the anvil 34.

[0045] Anvil 34 defines tissue engagement surface 52 ( Figure 2 It also includes a distal portion 34b that is angled at an obtuse angle from the tissue engagement surface 52 of the anvil 34 toward the cartridge assembly 36. The angled distal portion 34b of the anvil 34 forms an anatomical tip 54. In an embodiment, the anatomical tip 54 is spaced apart from the tissue guide portion 50 of the cartridge 44 when the tool assembly 20 is in the clamped position and extends along an axis generally parallel to the axis defined by the tissue guide portion 50. Alternatively, the anatomical tip 54 may have other configurations.

[0046] An orifice 56 is defined in any suitable location of the dissecting tip 54 or the distal portion 34b of the anvil. In an embodiment, the anvil 34 does not contain the dissecting tip 54 but still has the orifice 56. The orifice 56 in the distal portion 34b of the anvil 34 defines an axis extending laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the anvil 34. The dissecting tip 54 has a circular inner surface 58 defining an orifice 52. The inner surface 58 has a threaded first section 58a disposed closer to the tissue engagement surface 52 of the anvil 34. Figure 4A and 4B The first section 58a, which is not threaded, is disposed closer to the outer surface of the anvil 34, and the second section 58b, which is unthreaded. As will be described, the threaded first section 58a is configured to engage threadedly with the threaded shape of the locking member 60 of the tool assembly 20.

[0047] Tool assembly 20 also includes a drive assembly comprising a resilient firing shaft 62, a clamping member 64, and a slide 66. The firing shaft 62 may be made of multiple elongated laminates and has operatively coupled to trigger 26. Figure 1 The proximal portion of the body (not explicitly shown) causes the actuation of the trigger 26 to translate the firing shaft 62 through the elongated body 14. Figure 1 The firing shaft 62 has a distal portion 68 adjacent to or otherwise coupled to the slide 66 for translating the slide 66 through the cartridge assembly 36. As is known in the art, the firing shaft 62 can move from a retracted position to a forward position in response to actuation of the trigger 26, thereby actuating the slide 66 forward through the tool assembly 20 to sequentially eject nails 70 from the nail cartridge 44.

[0048] The clamping member 64 is coupled to the firing shaft 62 in a manner that allows it to advance a selected distance together with the firing shaft 62, and thereafter the firing shaft 62 can move independently relative to the clamping member 64. The clamping member 64 is configured to advance together with the firing shaft 62 into the slot 74 of the anvil 34. Figure 2 and 3 The length of the tool assembly 20 is closed, and the clamping member 64 is released from the firing shaft 62, thereby allowing the firing shaft 62 to continue advancing independently of the clamping member to fire the nail 70.

[0049] Tool component 20 includes tether 72 ( Figure 3 The tether 72 comprises a locking member 60 and a biasing member 88. The tether 72 may be a flexible strip, belt, etc., and has a proximal portion 72a and a distal portion 72b. The proximal portion 72a of the tether 72 is coupled to a slide. In some embodiments, the proximal portion of the tether 72 defines a hole 80 through which a protrusion 82 of the slide 66 is received, thereby coupling the tether 72 to the slide 66. The distal portion 72b of the tether 72 is coupled to the locking member 60 such that translation of the tether 72 causes rotation of the locking member 60.

[0050] The locking component 60 is positioned in the longitudinal slot 42 of the channel 40. Figure 3 and 3A The locking member 60 is located in the distal end of the staple cartridge 44 and extends through an opening 84 in the distal end of the staple cartridge 44. The locking member 60 has a base or cylindrical portion 86 and an extension 89 projecting upward from the cylindrical portion 86. The cylindrical portion 86 of the locking member 60 is captured within the tissue guide portion 50 of the staple cartridge 44 to prevent lateral translation of the locking member 60 relative to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge 44. The cylindrical portion 86 has a circular outer surface around which the distal portion 72b of the tether 72 is wound. The distal portion 72b of the tether 72b may be secured or otherwise attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 86 via an adhesive, fastener, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. Thus, the locking member 60 is secured by… Figure 6 Rotation in the first rotational direction indicated by arrow "A" causes the tether 72 to translate (e.g., pull the tether 72 distally), and retraction of the tether 72 causes the locking member 60 to engage with the tether 72. Figure 6 Rotate in the second rotational direction indicated by the arrow "B".

[0051] Reference Figure 2 -4 and 7, the extension 89 of the locking member 60 has a cylindrical configuration and has an unthreaded first portion 89a disposed closer to the cylinder portion 86, and a threaded second portion 89b extending to the end of the extension 89. The extension 89 of the locking member 60 is positioned to be received in the hole 56 of the anvil 34, so that the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 is threadedly engaged with the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the anvil 34. When the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 of the locking member 60 engages with the threaded first section 88a of the inner surface 58 of the hole 56 of the anvil 34, rotation of the locking member 60 brings the distal portion 34b of the anvil 34 and the distal portion 36b of the cartridge assembly 36 closer together.

[0052] Reference Figure 3-7 Locking component 60 is made of Figure 7The direction indicated by arrow "A" is biased by a spring through biasing member 88 to coil the distal portion 72b of the tether 72 around the cylindrical portion 86 of the locking member 60. The biasing member 88 may be a torsion spring and is housed within a cavity 90 defined by the cylindrical portion 86 of the locking member 60. In various respects, the biasing member 88 may be a spring. Other biasing members are also included. The biasing member 88 has a slot 92 defined along the length of the post 94. Figure 3 and 3A The first end 88a is captured inside. The post 94 is fixed to the channel 40 of the bin assembly 36 and received in the cavity 90 defined in the cylindrical portion 86 of the locking member 60. The biasing member 88 has a second end 88b fixed to the annular inner surface 96 of the cylindrical portion 86. It is intended that the locking member 60 and the biasing member 88 are assembled when the biasing member 88 is in a loaded state, such that the biasing member 88 is configured to apply a distal force on the tether 72 via the locking member 60.

[0053] During operation, when the surgical suture device 10 is actuated to move the tool assembly 20 from the open position ( Figure 2 Move to the first proximity point around the tissue. Figure 4A and 4B When the handle assembly 12 ( Figure 1 The trigger 26 is actuated by the trigger 26 to be activated by the trigger 26. Figure 4A The firing shaft 62 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow "C" to make the clamping member 64 ( Figure 3 Forward. The clamping member 64 engages the cam surface on the anvil 34 and / or the magazine assembly 36 to move the tool assembly 20 to a first approach position. This is achieved through a slot 74 defined in the anvil 34. Figure 2 The distal restriction prevents the clamping part 64 of the tool assembly 20 from advancing (to the tissue contact surface / through the staple cartridge 44). Therefore, the firing shaft 62 and the clamping part 64 disengage from each other, thereby allowing the firing shaft 62 and the slide 66 to advance independently of the clamping part 64 through the staple cartridge 44 to eject staples from the staple cartridge 44.

[0054] After the tool assembly 20 is moved to the first approach position, the firing shaft 62 advances further, causing the slide 66 to advance through the chamber assembly 36 and engage with the plurality of pushers 73. Figure 3 The slide 66 advances, ejecting the nails 70 sequentially from the cartridge 44 into the tissue. As the slide 66 advances, ejecting the nails 70, the proximal portion 72a of the tether 72 translates distally toward the distal portion 72b of the tether 72, thereby reducing the tension in the tether 72. As the tension in the tether 72 decreases, the biasing member 88, which allows loading, causes the locking member 60 to engage with the cartridge 44. Figure 6Rotate in the first direction indicated by arrow "A" to coil the tether around the cylinder 86 and maintain the selected tension in the tether 72. When the tool assembly 20 is in the first approach position ( Figure 4A and 4B In the case of [missing information], the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 of the locking member 60 contacts the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the dissecting tip 54. Therefore, the rotation of the locking member 60 caused by the biasing member 88 causes the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 to thread into the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the dissecting tip 54 and move linearly through the hole 56.

[0055] like Figure 7 As shown, the threaded engagement between the extension 89 of the locking member 60 and the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the dissecting tip 54 brings the anvil 34 and the cartridge assembly 36 closer together to a second approach position to lock the dissecting tip 54 to the distal portion 36b of the cartridge assembly 36. The engagement of the locking member 60 with the dissecting tip 54 of the anvil 34 prevents the distal portion of the anvil 34 from moving outwards relative to the distal portion of the cartridge assembly 36 beyond a predetermined distance, thereby establishing a predetermined tissue gap between the anvil 34 and the cartridge assembly 36 at the distal end of the tool assembly 20.

[0056] Immediately before the tool assembly 20 enters the second approach position, the bottom thread of the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 of the locking member 60 crosses the top thread of the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the dissecting tip 54. Therefore, the threaded second portion 89b of the extension 89 of the locking member 60 disengages from the threaded first section 58a of the inner surface 58 of the dissecting tip 54 and engages with the unthreaded second section 58b of the inner surface 58, preventing further rotation of the locking member 60 from bringing the tool assembly 20 any closer. In this way, as the slide 66 continues to advance to eject the staples 70 from the staple cartridge 44, the locking member 60 and the dissecting tip 54 maintain the tissue gap defined between the anvil 34 and the cartridge assembly 36 of the tool assembly 20. Figure 7 And avoid excessive squeezing or clamping of the tissue.

[0057] Figure 8 and 9Another embodiment of a locking member 160 for setting the tissue gap of tool assembly 120 is shown. Tool assembly 120 is similar to tool assembly 20, and only the differences between the two components will be described in detail. Tool assembly 120 includes an anvil 134 and a cartridge assembly 136. Anvil 134 includes an anatomical tip 154 ​​that defines a hole 156 therein. Cartridge assembly 136 includes a cartridge 144 that supports a plurality of staples 170. A firing pin 162 and a slide 166 are provided for advancing the staples 170 from the cartridge 144.

[0058] The staple cartridge 144 includes a flexible annular belt 172 that operably interconnects a slide 166 with a locking member 160. The annular belt 172 defines a plurality of orifices 174 spaced apart along its length. One orifice in the proximal portion 172a of the annular belt 172 receives a pin 182 extending from the slide 166, thereby engaging the slide 166 and the annular belt 172. The proximal portion 172a of the annular belt 172 is wound around a proximal post 180a extending upward from the channel 140 of the cartridge assembly 136. Figure 8 The annular belt 172 has a distal portion 172b of the base portion 186 of the winding locking member 160.

[0059] The base portion 186 of the locking member 160 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions 182 configured to be received in corresponding apertures 174 of the annular band 172. The base portion 186 of the locking member 160 is rotatably supported on a first distal post 180b extending upward from the distal end of the channel 140 of the cartridge assembly 136. A second distal post 180c of the channel 140 engages with the outer surface of the distal end portion 172b of the annular band 172 to keep the distal end portion 172b of the annular band 172 tightly wound around the locking member 160. The annular band 172 is rotatable about the first distal post 180b and the proximal post 180a to rotate the base portion 186 of the locking member 160 about the first distal post 180b in response to movement of the slide 166 within the staple cartridge 144. As the annular belt 172 rotates within the staple cartridge 144, the protrusions 182 of the locking member 160 are sequentially received in corresponding orifices 174 within the annular belt 172. In some aspects, instead of the locking member 160 having protrusions 182 received in corresponding orifices 174 within the annular belt 172, the distal portion 172b of the annular belt 172 may frictionally engage with the outer surface of the locking member 160. Alternatively, other known techniques or devices may be used to attach the annular belt 172 to the base portion 186 of the locking member 160.

[0060] The locking member 160 has an extension 189 extending from the base portion 186. The extension 189 has a threaded outer surface 190 positioned for receiving in a hole 156 in the anvil 134, so that the threaded outer surface 190 of the extension 189 is threadedly engaged with the threaded inner surface 158 defining the hole 156 in the anvil 14.

[0061] Tool assembly 120 functions in a similar manner to tool assembly 20. More specifically, after tool assembly 120 moves from the open position to the first approach position, the forward movement of firing shaft 162 causes slide 166 to advance through cartridge assembly 136 and engage with multiple pushers 173 to sequentially inject staples 170 from staple cartridge 144 into the tissue. Because slide 166 is coupled to annular belt 172, the forward movement of slide 166 causes annular belt 172 to travel along an annular path around the first distal post 180b and proximal post 180a of channel 140, thereby rotating locking member 160.

[0062] In the first approach position of the tool assembly 120, the threaded outer surface 190 of the extension 189 of the locking member 160 contacts the threaded inner surface 158 of the dissecting tip 154 ​​of the anvil 134. Therefore, the locking member 160, via rotation of the annular belt 172, causes the threaded outer surface 190 of the extension 189 of the locking member 160 to thread into the threaded inner surface 158 of the dissecting tip 154 ​​and moves linearly through the hole 156.

[0063] Rotation of the extension 189 of the locking member 160 drives the anvil 134 and the cartridge assembly 136 further closer to the second approach position to lock the dissecting tip 154 ​​to the distal portion of the cartridge assembly 136. Engagement of the locking member 160 with the dissecting tip 154 ​​of the anvil 134 prevents the anvil 134 from moving outward relative to the cartridge assembly 136 beyond a predetermined distance to establish a predetermined tissue gap between the anvil 134 and the cartridge assembly 136 at the distal end of the tool assembly 120.

[0064] Immediately before entering the second approach position, the bottom thread of the threaded outer surface 190 of the extension 189 crosses the top thread of the threaded inner surface 158 of the anvil 134, thus disengaging the threaded outer surface 190 from the threaded inner surface 158, preventing further rotation of the locking member 160 from bringing the tool assembly 120 any closer. In this way, as the slide 166 continues to advance to eject the staples 170 from the cartridge 144, the locking member 160 and the anatomical tip 154 ​​of the anvil 134 cooperate to maintain the tissue gap defined between the anvil 134 and the cartridge assembly 136 of the tool assembly 120.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatuses and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is contemplated that elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with elements and features of another exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand additional features and advantages of this disclosure based on the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tool component comprising: An anvil having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the anvil defines a hole therein; A bin assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the bin assembly being pivotally connected to the proximal portion of the anvil; A slide block, which is slidably housed in the compartment assembly, and configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position to advance the pin from the compartment assembly; as well as A locking member, rotatably supported on the distal portion of the compartment assembly and positioned for reception in the hole, wherein the locking member is operatively coupled to the slide such that advance of the slide from the proximal position to the distal position causes the locking member to rotate relative to the hole to approach the distal portion of the anvil and the distal portion of the compartment assembly.

2. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member has an extension having a threaded outer surface, and the hole in the distal portion of the anvil is defined by a threaded inner surface configured to thread-engage with the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member.

3. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the anvil and cartridge assembly is movable between an expanded position and a first approach position, wherein in the expanded position the extension of the locking member is spaced apart from the hole in the anvil, and in the first approach position the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member engages with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

4. The tool assembly of claim 3, wherein the anvil and cartridge assembly is configured to move from a first approach position to a second approach position in response to rotation of the locking member when the threaded outer surface of the locking member engages with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

5. The tool assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cord having a proximal portion connected to the slide and a distal portion disposed around the locking member, such that translation of the slide causes rotation of the locking member via the cord.

6. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking member has a cylindrical portion rotatably supported in the chamber assembly, and the distal portion of the tether is secured around the cylindrical portion.

7. The tool assembly of claim 6, further comprising a biasing member housed in the cylindrical portion and coupled to the bin assembly, wherein the biasing member is configured to push the tether in a distal direction.

8. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking member is spring-biased to push the tether in a distal direction.

9. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the tether is an annular band defining a plurality of orifices, and the locking member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions configured to be received in the corresponding plurality of orifices.

10. The tool assembly of claim 9, wherein the slide has a pin extending therefrom and received in one of the plurality of orifices, such that translation of the slide causes the annular belt to move along an annular path.

11. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the anvil has a tissue dissector defining the orifice.

12. A surgical suturing device, comprising: A handle assembly, which includes a trigger; A slender body that extends distally from the handle assembly; A drive shaft having a proximal portion operatively coupled to the trigger and a distal portion; as well as A tool assembly coupled to the distal portion of the elongated body, the tool assembly comprising: An anvil having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the anvil defines a hole therein; A bin assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the bin assembly being pivotally connected to the proximal portion of the anvil between an expanded position and a proximal position; A tether having a proximal portion connected to the distal portion of the drive shaft, and a distal portion; as well as A locking member, rotatably supported on the distal portion of the bin assembly and positioned for reception in the hole, wherein the distal portion of the tether is disposed around and coupled to the locking member, such that when the bin assembly and the anvil are in the proximity position, forward movement of the drive shaft causes the locking member to rotate relative to and within the hole to approach the distal portion of the anvil and the distal portion of the bin assembly.

13. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the locking member has an extension having a threaded outer surface, the hole in the distal portion of the anvil being defined by a threaded inner surface, the threaded inner surface being configured to thread-engage with the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member when the anvil and the cartridge assembly are in the proximal position.

14. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 13, wherein in the expanded position, the extension of the locking member is spaced apart from the hole in the anvil, and in the approach position, the threaded outer surface of the extension of the locking member engages with the threaded inner surface of the anvil.

15. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the locking member has a cylindrical portion rotatably supported in the chamber assembly and securing the distal portion of the tether around the cylindrical portion.

16. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tool assembly further comprises a biasing member housed in the cylindrical portion and coupled to the chamber assembly, the biasing member being configured to push the tether in a distal direction.

17. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the locking member is spring-biased to push the tether in a distal direction.

18. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tether is an annular band defining a plurality of orifices, and the locking member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions configured to be received in the corresponding plurality of orifices.

19. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tool assembly further comprises a slide slidably received in the chamber assembly and interconnecting the distal portion of the drive shaft with the proximal portion of the tether, the slide being configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position in response to actuation of the trigger to advance the staple from the chamber assembly.

20. The surgical suturing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the locking member is configured to rotate in response to movement of the slide between the proximal position and the distal position.

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