Shipping cover for a staple cartridge

Abstract

A shipping cap (100) for a staple cartridge (20) includes a body (102) having an upper surface (104) and a lower surface (106) that is in close opposition to the staple cartridge (20) when the shipping cap (100) is secured to the staple cartridge (20). The shipping cap (100) includes a latch (130) that is received within the body of the staple cartridge (20) to secure the shipping cap (100) to the cartridge body (22). The latch (130) is manually movable by a clinician to facilitate removal of the shipping cap (100) from the staple cartridge (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly, to a shipping cover for a staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device. Background Art

[0002] Surgical stapling devices for ejecting staples in a quick and efficient manner to join tissue or tissue segments in a variety of surgical procedures, such as anastomosis procedures, are well known. Generally, a surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge received within a cavity defined by the channel member. The staple cartridge supports a plurality of staples and may be removable from the cavity of the channel member to facilitate reuse of the stapling device.

[0003] Generally, the staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, a pusher, and an actuation slider. The cartridge body defines a central knife slot and staple receiving slots positioned on each side of the central knife slot. The staples and the pusher are received within the staple receiving slots, and the actuation slider is movable through the cartridge body to engage the pusher to lift and eject the staples from the staple receiving slots.

[0004] To prevent the staples from leaving the staple receiving slots before the staple cartridge is inserted into the channel member, a staple guard is supported on a first side of the cartridge body, and a shipping cover is supported on a second side of the cartridge body. The staple guard prevents the staples and the pusher from falling from the first side of the cartridge body, and the shipping cover prevents the staples and the pusher from falling from the second side of the cartridge body. The shipping cover may be removed from the cartridge body prior to triggering the stapling device. To ensure that the staples are fully retained within the cartridge prior to triggering the stapling device, the shipping cover must be securely fastened to the second side of the cartridge body to minimize any gap that may be defined between the shipping cover and the second side of the cartridge body.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the suturing art for a shipping cover that can be securely fastened to the cartridge body of a staple cartridge while minimizing the gap between the shipping cover and the cartridge body. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a shipping cover having a body that defines a longitudinal axis and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an edge parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body defines an incision. The lower surface supports a latch that extends along the longitudinal axis from the lower surface and upwardly through the incision. The latch is movable within the incision from a latched position to an unlatched position.

[0007] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a staple cartridge and cover assembly that includes a staple cartridge and a shipping cover. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, and a pusher. The cartridge body defines a central knife slot and staple receiving cavities positioned on each side of the central knife slot. The shipping cover is releasably coupled to the staple cartridge and includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an edge parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body defines an incision. The lower surface of the body supports a latch that extends along the longitudinal axis from the lower surface and upward through the incision. The latch is movable within the incision from a latched position to an unlatched position. The latch is received within the central knife slot of the cartridge body and engages the cartridge body in the latched position to retain the latch within the central knife slot.

[0008] In aspects of the present disclosure, the body of the shipping cover includes a flexible tab that extends downward from the edge of the body and includes a laterally extending engagement portion.

[0009] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the incision includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a stop, and the latch includes an upwardly extending portion that is received within the distal portion of the incision when the latch is in the latched position and is received within the proximal portion of the incision when the latch is in the unlatched position.

[0010] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the stop is sized to hold the latch in the unlatched position.

[0011] In aspects of the present disclosure, the stop is defined by a protrusion that extends from the body into the incision.

[0012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the lower surface supports a longitudinal rib that extends downward from the lower surface and is aligned with the longitudinal axis.

[0013] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the latch includes a downwardly extending portion coupled to the lower surface of the body of the shipping cover and a living hinge that interconnects the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion.

[0014] In aspects of the present disclosure, the upwardly extending portion supports a finger engagement member positioned above the upper surface of the body.

[0015] In aspects of the present disclosure, the distal portion of the body includes a distal extension.

[0016] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the latch is formed of an elastic material and is biased toward the latched position.

[0017] Other aspects of the present disclosure will be understood from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Aspects of the disclosed shipping cover are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling tool assembly, wherein a staple cartridge and a shipping cover are received within a channel member of the tool assembly and the shipping cover is secured to the staple cartridge;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side perspective view above the staple cartridge and shipping cover shown;

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a side perspective exploded view of the staple cartridge and shipping cover shown;

[0022] Figure 4A is Figure 3 a side perspective view below the shipping cover shown;

[0023] Figure 4B is Figure 4A a side perspective view above the shipping cover shown;

[0024] Figure 5 is Figure 4A a bottom view of a distal portion of the shipping cover, wherein the latch of the shipping cover is in a locked position;

[0025] Figure 6 is along Figure 3 section line 6 - 6 taken cross - sectional view;

[0026] Figure 7 is Figure 4B a side perspective view above a distal portion of the shipping cover shown;

[0027] Figure 8 is Figure 1 a side perspective view below the staple cartridge and shipping cover shown, wherein the shipping cover is secured to the staple cartridge;

[0028] Figure 9 is along Figure 8 section line 9 - 9 taken cross - sectional view;

[0029] Figure 10 is a cross - sectional view taken along a central longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and shipping cover, wherein the shipping cover is secured to the staple cartridge and the latch member of the shipping cover is in a latched position;

[0030] Figure 11 is Figure 1 a side perspective view of the tool assembly and the shipping cover shown, wherein the shipping cover is separated from the channel member of the tool assembly;

[0031] Figure 12 is through Figure 11a side cross-sectional view taken along a central longitudinal axis of the tool assembly shown with the shipping cover secured to the staple cartridge and a latch member of the shipping cover in an unlatched position;

[0032] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 a side perspective view of the tool assembly shown with a staple cartridge received within a channel member of the tool assembly and a shipping cover removed from the staple cartridge; and

[0033] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A bottom view of the distal portion of the shipping cover is shown with the latch of the shipping cover in an unlatched position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The disclosed shipping cap will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it should be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in almost any suitable specific configuration.

[0035] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is closer to the clinician, and the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is farther away from the clinician. In addition, the term "endoscopic" is generally used to refer to any other surgery performed by endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic and / or through a small diameter incision or intubation. In addition, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical staff including doctors, nurses and support staff. In addition, directional terms such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom, etc. and similar terms are used to help understand this specification, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0036] The present disclosure relates to a shipping cover for a staple cartridge. The shipping cover includes a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and when the shipping cover is fixed to the staple cartridge, the lower surface is closely opposed to the staple cartridge. The shipping cover includes a latch, which is received in the body of the staple cartridge to keep the shipping cover fixed to the cartridge body. The latch can be manually moved by a clinician to facilitate removal of the shipping cover from the staple cartridge.

[0037] Figure 1 A tool assembly 10 of a surgical stapling device is shown, which includes a cartridge assembly 12 and an anvil 14. The cartridge assembly 12 and the anvil 14 are coupled together so that the tool assembly 10 can be in an open position ( Figure 1 ) and pivots between a clamping position. The bin assembly 12 includes a cavity 18 (Figure 11 a channel member 16 as shown in Figure 11 and a staple cartridge 20 removably received within a cavity 18 of the channel member 16. The staple cartridge 20 supports a shipping cover 100, together forming a staple cartridge and cover assembly 21.

[0038] Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows the staple cartridge and cover assembly 21, which includes a staple cartridge 20 and a shipping cover 100. The staple cartridge 20 includes a cartridge body 22, staples 24, a pusher 26, a staple guard 28, and an actuating slider 30. The cartridge body 22 includes an upper tissue engaging surface 22a and defines a central knife slot 32 and staple receiving cavities 34 positioned on each side of the central knife slot 32. The central knife slot 32 and the staple receiving cavities 34 lead to the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22. The central knife slot 32 has a distal end 32a that is positioned near the distal end of the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22.

[0039] The staples 24 and the pusher 26 are received within respective staple receiving cavities 34 of the cartridge body 22. The staple guard 28 is coupled to the bottom of the cartridge body 22, which is opposite the upper tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22 to retain the staples 24, the pusher 26, and the actuating slider 30 within the cartridge body 22. When a stapling device (not shown) is triggered, the actuating slider 30 is movable from a retracted position to a forward position to sequentially engage the pusher 26, thereby ejecting the staples 24 from within the cartridge body 22 through the tissue engaging surface 22a toward an anvil 14 ( Figure 1 ). U.S. Patent No. 6,241,139 (hereinafter referred to as the " '139 patent") more fully discloses the construction and operation of a suitable staple cartridge, including the operation of the actuating slider and the pusher.

[0040] Figures 4A to 7 shows a shipping cover 100 that includes a body 102 having an upper surface 104 ( Figure 4B ) and a lower surface 106 ( Figure 4A ). The body 102 of the shipping cover 100 defines an incision 108 that has a distal portion 110, a proximal portion 112, and a stop 114 positioned between the distal portion 110 and the proximal portion 112 of the incision 108, respectively. In aspects of the present disclosure, the stop 114 can be defined by a protrusion 116 that extends from the body 102 of the shipping cover 100 into the incision 108. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the stop 114 can be formed in a variety of different ways.

[0041] The body 102 of the shipping cover 100 defines a longitudinal axis "X" ( Figure 4B ) and includes a projection that extends downward from the lower surface 106 of the body 102 and defines an engagement surface 122 ( Figure 9The resilient tab 120 of ()). The tab 120 extends downward from the longitudinally extending outer edge 124 of the body 102 of the shipping cover 100 to a position below the lower surface 106. As described in further detail below, the tab 120 includes a laterally extending engagement portion 120a that engages the cartridge body 22 to secure the shipping cover 100 to the cartridge body 22.

[0042] The body 102 of the shipping cover 100 includes a central longitudinal rib 126 that extends downward from the lower surface 106 of the shipping cover 100. When the shipping cover 100 is secured to the cartridge body 22, the central longitudinal rib 126 is received within the central kerf 32 of the cartridge body 22 to properly align the shipping cover 100 over the staple cartridge 20.

[0043] The body 102 of the shipping cover 100 includes a resilient latch 130 that extends upward from the distal end of the central longitudinal rib 126 through an incision 108 defined in the body 102 of the shipping cover 100. In aspects of the present disclosure, the latch 130 is supported in a cantilever manner to the body 102 of the shipping cover 100 and includes a downwardly extending portion 132 and an upwardly extending portion 134 and a living hinge 136 that interconnects the downwardly extending portion 132 and the upwardly extending portion 134, respectively. The downwardly extending portion 132 is received within the distal portion of the central kerf 32 of the cartridge body 22. In aspects of the present disclosure, the living hinge 136 of the resilient latch 130 is received within an opening 138 defined in the bottom of the cartridge body 22 ( Figure 10 ). The upwardly extending portion 134 of the latch 130 extends upward from the living hinge 136 through the incision 108 and includes a finger engagement member 140 and a locking surface 142. In aspects of the present disclosure, the locking surface 142 includes a shoulder that defines a plane generally parallel to the plane defined by the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22 ( Figure 3 ). In aspects of the present disclosure, the upwardly extending portion 134 can be moved from the latched position ( Figure 10 ) to the unlatched position ( Figure 12 ) by pressing the finger engagement member 140 of the resilient latch 130 to release the shipping cover 100 from the staple cartridge 20, as described in further detail below. The elasticity of the latch 130 generally positions the latch 130 in the latched position. In aspects of the present disclosure, the upwardly extending portion 134 of the latch includes a rib 134a that interacts with the stop 114 of the incision 108 to hold the latch 130 in the unlatched position ( Figure 14 ).

[0044] The body 102 of the shipping cap 100 includes a distal portion having an extension 141 that extends distally from the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22 when the shipping cap 100 is secured to the cartridge body 22. The extension 141 hangs over the distal tapered portion 22b ( Figure 10 ) of the cartridge body 22 and is positioned to be grasped by a clinician to assist in removing the shipping cap 100 from the cartridge body 22, as described in detail below.

[0045] Figures 7 to 10 The shipping cap 100 secured to the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 20 is shown. When the shipping cap 100 is secured to the cartridge body 22, the lower surface 106 of the body 102 of the shipping cap 100 is positioned in juxtaposition with the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22 such that the central longitudinal rib 126 and the resilient latch 130 of the shipping cap 100 are received within the central knife slot of the cartridge body 22. The shipping cap 100 is pressed toward the cartridge body 22 until the lower surface 106 of the shipping cap 100 contacts the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22. As the shipping cap 100 is pressed toward the cartridge body 22, the tab 120 on the body 102 of the shipping cap 100 bends outwardly over the sidewall 144 of the cartridge body 22. As the tab 120 passes over the sidewall 144, the laterally extending engagement portion 120a of the tab 120 bends inwardly to engage a shoulder 146 ( Figure 9 ) to secure the body 102 of the shipping cap 100 to the cartridge body 22.

[0046] The central knife slot 32 defined by the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 20 has a distal end defined by a stop portion 150 ( Figure 10 ) of the cartridge body 22. When the resilient latch 130 is inserted into the central knife slot 32 of the cartridge body 22, the upwardly extending portion 134 of the resilient latch 130 engages the stop portion 150 of the cartridge body 22 and deforms proximally to allow the latch 130 to enter the central knife slot 32. As the locking surface 142 of the latch 130 passes over the stop portion 150 of the cartridge body 22, the spring force of the latch 130 moves the upwardly extending portion 134 of the latch 130 back to the latched position ( Figure 10 ). In the latched position, the locking surface 142 engages the lower side of the stop portion 150 of the cartridge body 22 to prevent the latch 130 from being removed from the central knife slot 32 of the cartridge body 22, thereby holding the shipping cap 100 on the cartridge body 22.

[0047] The combination of the tab 120 and the latch 130 holds the lower surface 106 of the shipping cap 100 in close opposition to the tissue engaging surface 22a of the cartridge body 22 to prevent the staples 24 ( Figure 3 ) from protruding from the cartridge body 22 during shipping and storage of the staple cartridge 20.

[0048] Figure 11Disclosed is the cartridge and cover assembly 21 when the cartridge and cover assembly 21 is inserted into the cavity 18 of the channel member 16 of the cartridge assembly 12. As shown, the cartridge and cover assembly 21 is slid proximally into the cavity 18 in the direction of arrow "A" and is then pressed downward onto the channel member 16.

[0049] Figures 12 to 14 Disclosed is the removal of the shipping cover 100 from the cartridge body 22 of the cartridge 20 after the cartridge and cover assembly 21 is properly received within the cavity 18 of the channel member 16. Once the cartridge and cover assembly 21 is properly received within the cavity 18 of the channel member, the clinician can move the elastic latch 130 from the latched position ( Figure 12 ) to the unlatched position ( Figure 10 ) by pressing on the finger engagement member 140 in the direction of arrow "B" in Figure 12 . Pressing on the finger engagement member 140 in the direction of arrow "B" causes the upward extension 134 of the elastic latch 130 to pivot about the movable hinge toward the downward extension 132 to move the locking surface 142 of the latch 130 from the latched position below the blocking portion 150 of the cartridge body 22 to the unlatched position spaced from the blocking portion 150 of the cartridge body 22.

[0050] When the elastic latch 130 moves to the unlatched position ( Figure 12 ), the upward extension 134 of the latch 130 moves from the distal portion 110 through the stop 114 to the proximal portion 112 within the notch 108. When the rib 134a on the upward extension 134 of the latch 130 is positioned within the proximal portion 112 ( Figure 14 ) of the notch 108, the stop 114 (e.g., the protrusion 116) prevents the latch 130 from returning to the latched position ( Figure 10 ).

[0051] When the latch 130 is held in the unlatched position ( Figure 12 ), the extension 141 on the distal portion of the shipping cover 100 is grasped by the clinician and moved in the direction of arrow "C" in Figure 12 to lift the latch 130 from the central knife slot 32. Once the latch 130 is removed from the central knife slot 32, the shipping cover 100 slides in the direction of arrow "D" in Figure 13 to remove the shipping cover 100 from between the anvil 14 and the cartridge assembly 12. The tool assembly 10 is now ready to treat tissue.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that elements and features described or illustrated in connection with one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may be combined with elements and features of another aspect without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand additional features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the foregoing aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shipping cover for a staple cartridge, the shipping cover comprises: a body that defines a longitudinal axis and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an edge parallel to the longitudinal axis, the body defining an incision, the lower surface supporting a latch that extends along the longitudinal axis from the lower surface and upwardly through the incision, the latch being movable within the incision from a latched position to an unlatched position.

2. The shipping cover according to claim 1, the shipping cover further comprising flexible tabs extending downwardly from the edge of the body, the tabs each including laterally extending engagement portions.

3. The shipping cover according to claim 1, wherein the incision includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a stop, and the latch includes an upwardly extending portion that is received within the distal portion of the incision when the latch is in the latched position and is received within the proximal portion of the incision when the latch is in the unlatched position.

4. The shipping cover according to claim 3, wherein the stop is sized to hold the latch in the unlatched position.

5. The shipping cover according to claim 4, wherein the stop is defined by a protrusion extending from the body into the incision.

6. The shipping cover according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface supports longitudinal ribs that extend downwardly from the lower surface and are aligned with the longitudinal axis.

7. The shipping cover according to claim 3, wherein the latch includes a downwardly extending portion and a living hinge that interconnects the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion, the downwardly extending portion being coupled to the lower surface of the body of the shipping cover.

8. The shipping cover according to claim 7, wherein the upwardly extending portion supports a finger engagement member positioned above the upper surface of the body.

9. The shipping cover according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the body includes a distal extension.

10. The shipping cover according to claim 1, wherein the latch is formed of an elastic material and is biased toward the latched position.

11. A staple cartridge and cover assembly, the staple cartridge and cover assembly comprises: a staple cartridge that includes a cartridge body, staples, and a pusher, the cartridge body defining a central knife slot and staple receiving cavities positioned on each side of the central knife slot; and Shipping cover, said shipping cover being releasably coupled to the staple cartridge, said shipping cover including a body that defines a longitudinal axis and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an edge parallel to the longitudinal axis, the body defining an incision, the lower surface supporting a latch that extends along the longitudinal axis from the lower surface and upwardly through the incision, the latch being movable within the incision from a latched position to an unlatched position, wherein the latch is received within the central knife slot of the cartridge body and engages the cartridge body in the latched position to hold the latch within the central knife slot.

12. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 11, the staple cartridge and cover assembly further including flexible tabs extending downwardly from the edge of the body, the flexible tabs each having a laterally extending engagement portion that engages the cartridge body to secure the shipping cover to the cartridge body.

13. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the incision includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a stop, and the latch includes an upwardly extending portion that is received within the distal portion of the incision when the latch is in the latched position and is received within the proximal portion of the incision when the latch is in the unlatched position.

14. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 13, wherein the stop is sized to hold the latch in the unlatched position.

15. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein the stop is defined by a protrusion extending from the body into the incision.

16. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the lower surface supports longitudinal ribs that extend downwardly from the lower surface into the central knife slot of the cartridge body.

17. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 13, wherein the latch includes a downwardly extending portion and a hinge, the downwardly extending portion being coupled to the lower surface of the body of the shipping cover, the hinge interconnecting the downwardly extending portion and the upwardly extending portion.

18. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 17, wherein the upwardly extending portion supports a finger engagement member positioned above the upper surface of the body.

19. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the distal portion of the body includes a distal extension.

20. The staple cartridge and cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the latch is elastic and biased toward the latched position.

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