Surgical suture device with locking component

Abstract

A surgical suturing device includes an anvil half, a cartridge receiving half, a firing assembly including a pusher plate, and a locking assembly. The cartridge receiving half defines an elongated channel member configured to receive a single-use loading unit (SULU). The locking assembly is supported within the elongated channel member and includes a locking mechanism that selectively engages the pusher plate to prevent movement of the pusher plate relative to the locking assembly when the anvil half and the cartridge receiving half are not secured together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to surgical suturing devices, and more specifically, to surgical suturing devices having reusable and disposable components. Background Technology

[0002] Surgical suturing devices that clamp tissue between opposing jaw structures and secure the clamped tissue with surgical staples are well known in the art. In such devices, a cutter is typically provided to cut the tissue joined by the staples.

[0003] Surgical suturing devices typically include two elongated beam members for capturing or clamping tissue between them. Typically, one beam member carries a disposable staple cartridge assembly that houses multiple staples arranged in at least two transverse rows, while the other beam member includes an anvil that defines a surface for forming staple legs when the staples are driven from the staple cartridge assembly. In the case of a two-piece fastener, the beam member including the anvil carries the mating portion of the two-piece fastener, such as a receiver. Typically, the staple formation process is influenced by the interaction between one or more longitudinally moving cam members and a series of individual staple pushers. As the cam members travel longitudinally through the staple cartridge-carrying beam member, the individual pusher members are biased upwards into the backspan of the staples supported within the staple cartridge assembly to sequentially eject the staples from the cartridge. A cutter may be provided to travel with the cam members between the staple rows to cut the tissue between the formed staple rows. Examples of such instruments are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,631,794, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a surgical suturing apparatus includes an anvil half, a cartridge receiving half, a firing assembly including a pusher plate, and a locking assembly. The cartridge receiving half defines an elongated channel member configured to receive a single-use loading unit (SULU). The locking assembly is supported within the elongated channel member and includes a locking mechanism that selectively engages the pusher plate to prevent movement of the pusher plate relative to the locking assembly when the anvil half and the cartridge receiving half are not secured together.

[0005] In various aspects of this disclosure, the locking assembly may include a stop, and the push plate may define a locking recess configured to receive the stop of the locking assembly within the locking recess.

[0006] In various aspects of this disclosure, the locking assembly may include a locking member and a spring unit fixed to the locking member. The spring unit may be positioned to engage the push plate. The spring unit may include a leaf spring that contacts the push plate and biases the push plate into a locked position. The leaf spring may be positioned to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the locking member holds the push plate in the locked position and prevents the push plate from moving distally beyond the locking member, and wherein in the second position, the push plate is positioned to advance through the locking member. The locking member may define a push plate channel through a support wall of the locking member. The support wall of the locking member may be supported between legs of the locking member. The legs may include shoulders that can be received by support holes defined in the elongated channel member to securely fix the locking member to the elongated channel member. The legs may include feet that support the locking member. The support leg may include a protrusion extending laterally from the support leg to secure the spring unit to the locking member. The SULU may include a proximal flange positioned to engage the push plate. The proximal flange may be vertically movable relative to the elongated channel member to move the leaf spring from the first position to the second position.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a surgical suturing apparatus includes an anvil half, a cartridge receiving half defining an elongated channel member, a push plate, and a locking assembly. The elongated channel member is configured to receive a single-use loading unit (SULU). The locking assembly selectively engages the push plate to lock it at an acute angle relative to the elongated channel member when the anvil half and the cartridge receiving half are not secured together.

[0008] In this disclosure, the locking assembly may include a stop, and the push plate may define a locking recess that retains the stop within the locking recess when the push plate is positioned at the acute angle relative to the elongated channel member.

[0009] In various aspects of this disclosure, the locking assembly may include a locking member and a spring unit fixed to the locking member. The spring unit may be positioned to engage the push plate to maintain the push plate at the acute angle. The spring unit may include a leaf spring that contacts the push plate. The leaf spring may be positioned to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the locking member prevents the push plate from moving distally beyond the locking member, and wherein in the second position, the push plate is positioned to advance through the locking member. The locking member may define a push plate channel through a support wall of the locking member to allow the push plate to advance through the locking member when the leaf spring is positioned in the second position. The support wall of the locking member may be supported between legs of the locking member and may extend over the leaf spring. The legs may include shoulders received in support holes defined in the elongated channel member to prevent movement of the locking member relative to the elongated channel member. The legs may include feet that support the locking member. The support leg may include a protrusion extending from the support leg to secure the spring unit to the locking member. The SULU may include a proximal flange positioned to contact the top surface of the push plate. The proximal flange is movable relative to the elongated channel member to move the leaf spring from the first position to the second position.

[0010] The following drawings and description set forth one or more aspects of this disclosure in detail. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, and together with the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a surgical suturing device based on the principles of this disclosure with its components separated.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the various parts of a surgical suture device with the components separated;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged stereoscopic view of the indicated detailed area is shown in the image;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view with the components separated;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the locking element of a surgical suture device;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An enlarged stereoscopic view of the proximal portion of the staple cartridge assembly of a surgical suture device;

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the central portion of a surgical suture device, shown in the locked position, wherein, for clarity, a portion is indicated by dashed lines;

[0019] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 Section line 8-8 is taken Figure 7 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view;

[0020] Figure 9 It is along Figure 1 Section line 9-9 is taken Figure 1 and Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the surgical suture device;

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a surgical suture device shown in a clamped and unlocked position; and

[0022] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 Section line 11-11 is taken Figure 10 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the central part. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Aspects of this disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding elements in each of the several views. Furthermore, the terms "proximal" or "tail" refer to the structural portion closer to the clinician, while the terms "distal" or "anterior" refer to the structural portion farther from the clinician. It is well known that the term "clinician" refers to a physician (e.g., a surgeon), nurse, or any other care provider, and may include support personnel.

[0024] In the following description, well-known functions or structures are not described in detail in order to avoid obscuring this disclosure with unnecessary details.

[0025] refer to Figures 1 to 11 And as Figures 1 to 4 In the best visible position, the surgical stapler or surgical suture device 10 defines the longitudinal axis "L" (see [reference]). Figure 10It includes: an anvil half 12 with an anvil 12a; a staple cartridge receiving half 14; a clamping rod 16; a staple cartridge assembly or disposable loading unit 18 (hereinafter referred to as "SULU"); a firing assembly 20; and a locking assembly 100 having a locking member 110 and a spring unit 120 fixed to the locking member 110. Figure 6 and Figure 9 As best seen in the image, the SULU 18 includes: a staple cartridge body 18a having a tissue contact surface 18b defining a multi-row staple holding groove 18c therein; and a longitudinal cutter groove 18d along the multi-row staple holding groove, the longitudinal cutter groove separating the multi-row staple holding groove 18c. The staple cartridge body 18a supports a drive beam 18e and a proximal finger 18k extending from the drive beam, on which a distal cutter 18f is supported. The staple cartridge body 18a also supports a slide plate 18g that engages a staple pusher 18h for firing staples of the SULU 18 through the multi-row staple holding groove 18c, thereby abutting against a corresponding multi-row staple bag (not shown) defined in the anvil 12a. The staple cartridge body 18a also includes a proximal flange 18i extending proximally from the staple cartridge body.

[0026] When the anvil half 12 and the staple cartridge receiving half 14 are not clamped together, the locking assembly 100 prevents the firing of the surgical suture device 10. In various respects, the anvil half 12, the staple cartridge receiving half 14, and the clamping rod 16 are constructed as reusable components and are therefore made of biocompatible materials suitable for sterilization and reuse (e.g., stainless steel). In contrast, the SULU 18 and / or the firing assembly 20 can be constructed as disposable and can therefore be made of any suitable biocompatible material with the required strength properties (e.g., plastic, metal, combinations thereof). For a more detailed description of similar surgical suture devices, one or more of which may be included in, or modified for use with, the surgical suture device 10, references can be made to U.S. Patent Nos. 10,512,461 and 7,631,794, the entire contents of each of the foregoing documents being incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] refer to Figures 2 to 4The firing assembly 20 of the surgical suture device 10 includes a firing lever assembly 20a having a pusher plate 20b extending distally from the firing lever assembly 20a. The pusher plate 20b of the firing assembly 20 extends distally to a distal finger 20c and defines a finger groove 20d proximally to the distal finger 20c. The finger groove 20d of the pusher plate 20b is positioned to receive a proximal finger 18k of a drive beam 18e such that the proximal end of the drive beam 18e can interlock with the distal end of the pusher plate 20b. The pusher plate 20b also includes an elongated ridge 20e along its top surface. The elongated ridge 20e defines a locking groove 20f within the elongated ridge. The staple cartridge receiving half 14 defines an elongated channel member 22, which defines a U-shaped channel 24 having: a distal portion 24a configured to releasably receive a SULU 18; and a proximal portion 24b configured to releasably receive a firing assembly 20 therein. Typically, when the SULU 18 is supported in the staple cartridge receiving half 14, the anvil 12a and the SULU 18 can be clamped together around tissue, such that the firing assembly 20 can be actuated to fire a staple from the SULU 18 and abut against the anvil 12a to secure the staple to the clamped tissue. The elongated channel member 22 has a base 25 and upright walls 26 extending from the base on opposite sides of the base 25 to support the locking assembly 100 within the elongated channel member 22. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As can be seen, the upright wall 26 of the elongated channel member 22 defines a support hole 26a through the upright wall, the support hole allowing the locking member 110 to be securely connected to the upright wall 26 to prevent the locking member 110 from moving relative to the anvil half 12 or the nail cartridge receiving half 14.

[0028] refer to Figures 3 to 5The locking member 110 of the locking assembly 100 includes a leg 112 that supports the stop assembly 114 between the legs. The leg 112 of the locking member 110 includes a foot 116 extending distally from the leg 112. The foot 116 includes a mounting protrusion 116a that extends laterally from the foot 116 to support the spring unit 120 on the locking member 110. The leg 112 also includes a shoulder 118 that extends laterally from the leg and can be received within a support hole 26a of the elongated channel member 22 to securely fasten the locking assembly 100 to the elongated channel member 22. The stop assembly 114 includes a support wall 114a and a stop 114b supported on the support wall 114a. The support wall 114a of the stop assembly 114 defines a push plate channel 114c through the support wall, which allows the push plate 20b of the firing assembly 20 to advance through the locking member 110. The stop member 114b of the stop assembly 114 can be received within the locking groove 20f of the push plate 20b to prevent the push plate 20b from advancing freely through the push plate channel 114c of the locking member 110.

[0029] The spring unit 120 of the locking assembly 100 includes: a base 122 having a leaf spring 124; and sidewalls 126 extending upward from the base 122. The leaf spring 124 is positioned between the sidewalls 126 and arranged at an acute angle relative to the base 122. The leaf spring 124 is positioned to support the bottom surface of the push plate 20b of the firing assembly 20. The leaf spring 124 can be in an unbent position ( Figure 9 ) and buckling position ( Figure 11 The spring unit 120 can move flexibly between the locked and unlocked positions. The sidewall 126 of the spring unit 120 defines a protrusion recess 126a through the sidewall, the protrusion recess being positioned to receive the mounting protrusion 116a of the locking member 110 in the protrusion recess to secure the spring unit 120 to the bottom surface of the locking member 110.

[0030] refer to Figures 9 to 11 Before the anvil half 12 is secured to the cartridge receiving half 14, the SULU 18 is engaged with the push plate 20b of the firing assembly 20 and placed in a locked position, such that the proximal end of the SULU 18 and the distal end of the push plate 20b are raised to a first height "H1" above the base 25 of the elongated channel member 22, such that the push plate 20b and the SULU 18 are at a slight angle relative to the elongated channel member 22 (e.g., such that the push plate 20b and the SULU 18 are tilted in opposite directions to each other). In this tilted and locked position, the stop 114b of the locking member 110 is placed in the locking groove 20f of the push plate 20b to prevent the push plate 20b from freely advancing through the locking assembly 100 (see...). Figure 9), thereby preventing the drive beam 18e and slide plate 18g of SULU 18 from advancing distally through the staple cartridge 18a of SULU 18 and firing the surgical suture device 10.

[0031] When the anvil half 12 is secured to the cartridge receiving half 14 to clamp the anvil 12a and SULU 18 together, the proximal flange 18i of SULU 18 is driven downward against the elongated ridge 20e of the push plate 20b, as indicated by arrow "A," causing the bottom surface of the push plate 20b to engage the leaf spring 124 of the spring unit 120, thereby causing the leaf spring 124 to flex downward from its unflexed position to its flexed position. As the leaf spring 124 flexes downward, the distal end of the push plate 20b and the proximal end of SULU 18 approach the base 25 of the elongated channel member 22, causing the push plate 20b to move vertically downward relative to the stop 114b of the locking member 110, thereby separating the stop 114b from the locking groove 20f of the push plate 20b. This downward movement causes the distal end of the push plate 20b and the proximal end of SULU 18 to move from a first height "H1" to a second height "H2" that is less than the first height "H1." At the first height “H1”, the surgical suture device 10 is in the locked position, and at the second height “H2”, the surgical suture device 10 is in the unlocked position, allowing the firing assembly 20 to advance distally through the locking assembly 100 to fire the surgical suture device 10. At the second height “H2”, the push plate 20b and SULU 18 are substantially parallel to the base 25 of the elongated channel member 22. Specifically, with the stop 114b of the locking member 110 separated from the locking groove 20f of the push plate 20b of the firing assembly 20, the push plate 20b can advance freely through the push plate channel 114c of the locking member 110, as indicated by arrow “B”, to allow the drive beam 18e and slide plate 18g of the SULU 18 to advance distally to fire the surgical suture device 10 and secure and cut the tissue clamped between the SULU 18 and the anvil 12a of the surgical suture device 10.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will understand that the structures and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that these descriptions, disclosures, and drawings should be interpreted only as examples of specific aspects. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and that various other changes or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure. Furthermore, it is contemplated that elements and features shown or described in conjunction with one exemplary aspect can be combined with elements and features of another exemplary aspect without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. In fact, any combination of any elements and features disclosed is within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. A surgical suturing device comprising: Anvil half section; The staple cartridge receiving half-section defines an elongated channel member configured to receive a single-use loading unit (SULU). The firing assembly includes a pusher plate; A locking assembly, supported within the elongated channel member and including a locking component capable of selectively engaging the push plate, prevents movement of the push plate relative to the locking assembly when the anvil half and the cartridge receiving half are not secured together. The locking assembly includes a locking element and a spring unit fixed to the locking element, the spring unit being positioned to engage the push plate. The spring unit includes a leaf spring that contacts the push plate and biases the push plate into a locked position. The locking element includes a support leg, the support leg including a foot that supports the locking element, the foot including a protrusion that extends laterally from the foot to secure the spring unit to the locking element.

2. The surgical suturing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The locking assembly includes a stop, and wherein the push plate defines a locking recess configured to receive the stop of the locking assembly within the locking recess.

3. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The leaf spring is positioned to move between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the locking member holds the push plate in the locked position and prevents the push plate from moving distally beyond the locking member, and wherein, in the second position, the push plate is positioned to advance through the locking member.

4. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The locking element defines a push plate channel that passes through the support wall of the locking element.

5. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The support wall of the locking member is supported between the legs of the locking member.

6. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The leg includes a shoulder that can be received by a support hole defined in the elongated channel member to securely fasten the locking member to the elongated channel member.

7. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The disposable loading unit includes a proximal flange positioned to engage the push plate, the proximal flange being vertically movable relative to the elongated channel member to move the leaf spring from the first position to the second position.

8. A surgical suturing device comprising: Anvil half section; The staple cartridge receiving half-section defines an elongated channel member configured to receive a single-use loading unit (SULU). Push plate; A locking assembly that selectively engages the push plate to lock it at an acute angle relative to the elongated channel member when the anvil half and the cartridge receiving half are not secured together. The locking assembly includes a locking element and a spring unit fixed to the locking element, the spring unit being positioned to engage the push plate. The spring unit includes a leaf spring that contacts the push plate and biases the push plate into a locked position. The locking element includes a support leg, the support leg including a foot that supports the locking element, the foot including a protrusion that extends laterally from the foot to secure the spring unit to the locking element.

9. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The locking assembly includes a stop, and wherein the push plate defines a locking recess that retains the stop within the locking recess when the push plate is positioned at the acute angle relative to the elongated channel member.

10. The surgical suture device as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The leaf spring is positioned to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the locking member prevents the push plate from moving distally beyond the locking member, and wherein in the second position, the push plate is positioned to advance through the locking member.

11. The surgical suturing device of claim 10, wherein, The locking member defines a push plate channel through the support wall of the locking member to allow the push plate to advance through the locking member when the leaf spring is in the second position.

12. The surgical suturing device of claim 11, wherein, The support wall of the locking member is supported between the legs of the locking member and extends above the leaf spring.

13. The surgical suture device of claim 12, wherein, The outrigger includes a shoulder that is received in a support hole defined in the elongated channel member to prevent the locking member from moving relative to the elongated channel member.

14. The surgical suture device of claim 10, wherein, The disposable loading unit includes a proximal flange positioned to contact the top surface of the push plate, the proximal flange being movable relative to the elongated channel member to move the leaf spring from the first position to the second position.

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