Replaceable staple cartridge with retractable knife

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having a drive assembly, an anvil, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a replaceable staple cartridge including an actuation slider assembly having an actuation slider, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The retractor link is secured to the knife bar such that the actuation slider assembly is movable through the cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The retractor link is movable from a non-deformed state disengaged from the drive assembly to a deformed state engaged with the drive assembly to facilitate retraction of the actuation slider assembly after the stapling device is fired.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to surgical stapling devices having replaceable staple cartridges including retractable knives. Background Art

[0002] Surgical suturing devices configured for endoscopic use are well known and are commonly used to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery time during surgical procedures. Typically, an endoscopic surgical suturing device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly that can move relative to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly. The drive assembly includes a knife bar having a cutting blade for cutting tissue. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a magazine assembly, which are connected to each other by a pivot member and can move relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position in response to the movement of the drive assembly. The magazine assembly includes a nail magazine having an actuating slide, a pusher, and nails. Typically, the drive assembly can move from a retracted position to an advanced position so that the actuating slide is advanced to contact the pusher and the nails are ejected from the nail magazine.

[0003] Some suturing devices include a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the suturing device to facilitate the reuse of the suturing device. In such devices, a knife is typically included on a drive assembly and is reusable. Other suturing devices include a reload assembly that includes a staple cartridge and a drive assembly that can be replaced after each firing of the suturing device to facilitate the reuse of the suturing device. The use of the reload assembly provides a new cutting blade for each firing of the suturing device to maintain cutting quality. However, the cost of replacing the drive assembly after each firing of the suturing device is expensive.

[0004] There continues to be a need for a surgical stapling device that can provide a sharp cutting blade through multiple actuations of the stapling device in a cost-effective manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device, which includes a cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge that is replaceable to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The staple cartridge includes an actuating slider assembly having an actuating slider, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The retractor link is fixed to the knife bar so that the actuating slider assembly can move through the cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The retractor link can move from a non-deformed state disengaged from a drive assembly to a deformed state engaged with the drive assembly to facilitate retraction of the actuating slider assembly or the knife bar after the stapling device is fired.

[0006] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to an actuation slider assembly including an actuation slider, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The actuation slider includes a central portion and a spacer wedge member positioned on opposite sides of the central portion. The knife bar is engaged with or securely secured to the central portion of the actuation slider and includes a cutting edge positioned above the actuation slider. The retractor link is formed of an elastic material and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion defines a longitudinal axis. The retractor link has a non-deformed state and a deformed state. In the non-deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link bends outward from the longitudinal axis defined by the distal portion of the retractor link, and in the deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link.

[0007] In aspects of the present disclosure, the proximal portion of the retractor link includes an engagement member.

[0008] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the engagement member includes a bend formed on a proximal portion of the retractor link.

[0009] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the engagement member includes a protrusion formed on a proximal portion of the retractor link.

[0010] In aspects of the present disclosure, a recess is formed in a working member of the drive assembly.

[0011] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a recess is formed in a flexible drive beam of a drive assembly.

[0012] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the retractor link is formed from spring steel.

[0013] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the knife bar includes a base portion, and the central portion of the actuation sled is molded around the base portion of the knife bar to securely secure the knife bar to the actuation sled.

[0014] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the knife bar includes a body portion defining a longitudinally extending recess, and the distal portion of the retractor link is secured within the longitudinally extending recess.

[0015] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a surgical stapling device, which includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, a pusher, staples, and an actuating slide assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and a staple receiving slot positioned on each side of the knife slot. Each staple receiving recess in the staple receiving recess receives one of the staples and one of the pushers. The actuating slide assembly includes an actuating slide, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The actuating slide includes a central portion and a spaced wedge member positioned on opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion is received in the knife slot and is movable in the knife slot. The knife bar includes a cutting edge positioned above the actuating slide and extending from the knife slot. The retractor link is formed of an elastic material and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the retractor link defines a longitudinal axis. The retractor link has a non-deformed state and a deformed state. In a non-deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link is bent outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link and from the knife groove, and in a deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link. The proximal portion of the retractor link includes an engagement member. The drive assembly includes a flexible drive beam and a working end fixed to the flexible drive beam. The drive assembly is capable of moving between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the tool assembly to eject the nail from the cartridge body. The drive assembly defines a recess that receives the engagement member of the retractor link when the retractor link is in a deformed state to connect the knife bar of the actuation slide assembly to the drive assembly.

[0016] In aspects of the present disclosure, a suturing device includes an adapter assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion that supports a tool assembly.

[0017] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a suturing device includes a handle assembly coupled to a proximal portion of an adapter assembly.

[0018] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, a cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an unclamped position and a clamped position.

[0019] In aspects of the present disclosure, the drive assembly is movable from a retracted position to a drive assembly clamped position to move the tool assembly from an unclamped position to a clamped position.

[0020] In aspects of the present disclosure, the drive assembly is movable between a retracted position and a drive assembly clamped position independently of the actuation slide assembly.

[0021] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device according to aspects of the present disclosure, wherein a tool assembly of the stapling device is in an open position;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Magnified view of the indicated detail area;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a tool assembly of a stapling device is shown with a staple cartridge of a cartridge assembly of the tool assembly separated from a channel of the cartridge assembly;

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a side perspective exploded view of a staple cartridge of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly shown;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The enlarged view of the designated detail area shown shows Figure 4 The actuating slider of the suturing device shown;

[0028] Fig. 6A yes Figure 5 a side perspective exploded view of the actuation slide assembly shown;

[0029] Figure 6B is from Figure 5 a side perspective view of the proximal end of the actuation slide assembly shown;

[0030] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6B A cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7;

[0031] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 a bottom perspective view of a staple cartridge of the cartridge assembly shown;

[0032] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 9-9;

[0033] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of the proximal portion of the staple cartridge shown, wherein the actuation slide assembly is Figure 8 As shown in;

[0034] Fig.11 yes Figure 2 A side view of the tool assembly is shown with the tool assembly moved to a clamped position and the channel member removed.

[0035] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 Magnified view of the indicated detail area shown in ;

[0036] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 a side perspective view of the drive assembly and actuation slide assembly of a surgical stapling apparatus shown in a retracted position;

[0037] Fig.14 It is along Fig.12 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14;

[0038] Fig.15 is a side cross-sectional view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly, wherein a channel of the cartridge assembly is removed when the tool assembly is fired;

[0039] Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 16-16;

[0040] Fig.17 is a side cross-sectional view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly with the channel of the cartridge assembly removed and the drive assembly returned to its retracted position after the stapling device has been fired;

[0041] Fig.18 It is along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18;

[0042] Fig.19 is a top side perspective view of a proximal portion of a staple cartridge after the staple cartridge has been fired and removed from a channel of a cartridge assembly;

[0043] Fig. 20 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of an alternative form of the actuation slide assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in;

[0044] Fig.21 yes Fig. 20 a side perspective exploded view of the knife assembly of the actuation slide assembly shown;

[0045] Fig. 22 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of an alternative form of a drive assembly of a surgical stapling device shown in its retracted position;

[0046] Fig.23 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of an alternative form of the actuation slide assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in;

[0047] Fig.24 yes Fig.23an exploded view of an actuating slide assembly;

[0048] Fig.25 It is along Fig.23 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 25-25;

[0049] Fig.26 is a cross-sectional view taken through a distal portion of the tool assembly with the stapling device in a clamped and fired position and the drive assembly in an advanced position;

[0050] Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken through a distal portion of the tool assembly with the stapling device in a clamped and fired position with the drive assembly moved rearwardly from an advanced position toward a retracted position with the knife bar coupled to the drive assembly; and

[0051] Fig.28 is a cross-sectional view taken through a proximal portion of the tool assembly with the stapling device in a clamped and fired position and the drive assembly in a retracted position with the knife bar decoupled from the drive assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in each of the several views represent the same or corresponding elements. However, it should be understood that the various aspects of the present disclosure of the surgical stapling device are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary details. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as restrictive, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure differently with almost any suitable specific structure.

[0053] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to the clinician during use of the device in its customary manner, and the term "distal" is generally used to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician during use of the device in its customary manner. In addition, directional terms (such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom) and similar terms are used to help understand this specification and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons and support staff.

[0054] The present disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device, which includes a tool assembly having a drive assembly, an anvil, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a replaceable staple cartridge, which includes an actuation slider assembly having an actuation slider, a knife bar, and a retractor link. The retractor link is fixed to the knife bar so that the actuation slider assembly can move through the cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The retractor link can move from a non-deformed state disengaged from the drive assembly to a deformed state engaged with the drive assembly to facilitate retraction of the actuation slider assembly after the stapling device is fired.

[0055] Figure 1 A surgical stapling device, generally shown as a stapling device 10, is shown, which includes a handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14, and a tool assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is powered and includes a fixed grip 18 and an actuation button 20. The actuation button 20 is operable to actuate various functions of the tool assembly 16 via the adapter assembly 14, namely, the approach of the tool assembly 16 and the firing of the tool assembly 16. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the handle assembly 12 includes a motor (not shown) a battery (not shown), and a circuit that connects the battery to the motor to operate the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is shown as an electric stapling device, it is contemplated that the advantages of the present disclosure are suitable for use with manually driven surgical stapling devices as well as mechanically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Patent No. 5,865,361 describes a stapling device that includes exemplary aspects of a manually driven stapling device.

[0056] The adapter assembly 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. The proximal portion 14a of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the handle assembly 12 and the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the tool assembly 16.

[0057] Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 and 2. The tool assembly 16 is shown to include an anvil assembly 32 and a cartridge assembly 34. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge assembly 34 is pivotally supported relative to the anvil 32 and the adapter assembly 14 so that the tool assembly 16 can be in an open position ( Figure 2 ) and clamping position ( Fig.11 ). Alternatively, it is contemplated that the anvil 32 may be pivotally supported relative to the cartridge assembly 34 and the adapter assembly 14.

[0058] Figures 2 to 5 The cartridge assembly 34 is shown to include a channel member 40 and a staple cartridge 42. The channel member 40 includes side walls 44 and a bottom wall 46 that define a cavity 48. The staple cartridge 42 is removably received within the cavity 48 of the channel member 38 and is replaceable to facilitate repeated use of the suturing device 10. Each of the side walls 44 defines a recess 49 ( Figure 3 ).

[0059] Figure 4 A staple cartridge 42 is shown that includes a cartridge body 50 defining a knife slot 52 and staple receiving recesses 54 positioned on each side of the knife slot 52. In aspects of the present disclosure, the knife slot is centrally located along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body 50. In aspects of the present disclosure, the staple receiving recesses 54 are aligned in two or more rows on opposite sides of the knife slot 52. The cartridge body 50 includes a laterally extending protrusion 56 that is received in the channel member 40 ( Figure 3 ) of the recessed portion 49 ( Figure 3 ) in order to correctly position the nail magazine 40 in the cavity 46 of the channel member 38. The magazine body 50 also includes a knife guard 58, which is positioned on the opposite side of the knife groove 52 at the proximal portion of the magazine body 50.

[0060] The staple cartridge 42 includes staples 60, a pusher 62, a staple guard 64, and an actuation sled assembly 66. The staples 60 are supported on the pusher 62 and received in the staple receiving recesses 54 of the cartridge body 50. The staple guard 64 is U-shaped and fixed to the bottom of the cartridge body 50 to retain the staples 60 and the pusher 62 in the cartridge body 50. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the staple guard 64 includes a resilient finger 70 that is received in a recess 72 in the cartridge body 50 in a snap-fit ​​manner to secure the proximal portion of the staple guard 64 to the cartridge body 50. The staple guard 64 may also include an opening 74 that receives a protrusion 75 on the cartridge body 50 to retain the staple guard 64 in the cartridge body 50.

[0061] Figures 5 to 12 An actuation sled assembly 66 is shown, which includes an actuation sled 76, a knife bar 78, and a retractor link 80. The actuation sled assembly 66 is received in the cartridge body 50 of the staple cartridge 42 and is movable within the cartridge body 50 between a sled retracted position and a sled advanced position. The actuation sled 76 includes a central portion 82 and spaced wedge members 84 positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 82. The wedge members 84 are configured to engage and lift the pusher 62 to eject the staples 60 from the staple receiving recesses 54 of the cartridge body 50 when the actuation sled assembly 66 moves from the sled retracted position to the sled advanced position. The central portion 82 of the actuation sled 76 is received in the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50 and is movable through the knife slot 52 to restrict the actuation sled assembly 66 to linear motion.

[0062] The knife bar 78 is securely fixed to the central portion 82 of the actuation slide 76 and includes a body portion 85, a base portion 86, and a knife 88. The body portion 85 of the knife bar 78 is received in the knife slot 52 and can move through the knife slot. The knife 88 is supported on the upper surface of the body portion 85 and includes a distally facing cutting edge 88a. The cutting edge 88a extends upward from the body portion 85 to a position above the tissue engaging surface 50a of the cartridge body 50 and is protected by the knife guard 58 ( Figure 4 ) protection. The knife guard 58 can be integrally formed with the cartridge body 50 or fixed to the cartridge body. The base portion 86 extends downwardly from the body portion 85 and is fixed to the central portion 82 of the actuation sled 76. In aspects of the present disclosure, the base portion 86 defines two openings 90 that receive portions of the central portion 82 of the actuation sled 76. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation sled 76 is formed of plastic and the knife bar 78 is formed of metal, and the actuation sled 76 is molded around the base portion 86 of the knife bar 78.

[0063] The retractor link 80 is fixed to the main body portion 85 of the knife bar 78 in a cantilevered manner. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the retractor link 80 is formed of an elastic material (e.g., spring steel) and includes a distal portion 80a and a proximal portion 80b. The proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 includes an engagement member, which can be in the form of an inwardly extending protrusion 94. The distal portion 80a defines a longitudinal axis and is fixed to the central portion 82 of the knife bar 78, and the proximal portion 80b extends proximally from the actuation slider 76. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the main body portion 85 of the knife bar 78 defines a longitudinally extending recess 92 ( Fig. 6A ), and the distal portion 80a of the retractor link 80 is fixed in the recess 92. The retractor link 80 is capable of moving between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. In the non-deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link 80 bends outward from the longitudinal axis defined by the distal portion 80 of the retractor link 80 and bends outward from the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50. When the actuation slide assembly 66 advances through the knife slot 52, the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 engages the inner wall of the cartridge body 50 defining the knife slot 52 and moves to a deformed state in which the distal portion 80a and the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 are longitudinally aligned. The actuation slide 76 of the actuation slide assembly 66 includes a proximal portion that defines a centrally positioned cutout 96 ( Figure 6B ).

[0064] The suturing device 10 comprises Fig.13The drive assembly 98 shown includes a working member 100 and a flexible drive beam 102. When the drive assembly 98 is in the clamped position and the actuation slide assembly 66 is in the retracted position, the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 is partially received in the cutout 96 of the actuation slide 76. The drive assembly 98 is capable of moving from the retracted position through the drive assembly clamping position to the advanced position, and includes a flexible drive beam 102 having a proximal portion (not shown) and a distal portion 106 fixed to the working member 100. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the flexible drive beam 102 is formed from stacked laminates. Alternatively, other configurations of the flexible drive beam 102 are contemplated. When the drive assembly 98 moves from the retracted position to the drive assembly clamping position, the working member 100 moves independently of the actuation slide assembly 66 to move the tool assembly 16 ( Figure 1 ) moves from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

[0065] The working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 has an I-shaped configuration and includes a first beam 108, a second beam 110, and a vertical brace 112 connecting the first beam 108 to the second beam 110. The vertical brace 112 is connected to the knife groove 52 ( Fig.16 ) and is positioned to engage with the actuation slide assembly 66. When the drive assembly 98 is in Fig.11 When moving from the retracted position to the clamped position in the direction of arrow "A" in FIG. 1 , the first beam 108 and the second beam 110 engage the anvil 32 and the cartridge assembly 34 to Fig.11 98. In the clamped position of the drive assembly 98, the working member 100 in the drive assembly 98 is received in the cutout 96 of the actuation slide 76 of the actuation slide assembly 66 and is in close proximity or abutment with the actuation slide member 66. As the drive assembly 98 moves from the clamped position toward the advanced position, the vertical struts 112 of the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 engage the actuation slide assembly 66 and advance it through the knife slot 52 to move the actuation slide assembly 66 between the slide retracted position and the advanced position.

[0066] The vertical struts 112 of the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 define a recess or opening 114. When the drive assembly 98 moves the actuation slider assembly 66 from the slider retracted position toward the slider advanced position, the retractor link 80 of the actuation slider assembly 66 moves with the actuation slider assembly 66 into the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50. When the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 moves into the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50, the engagement of the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 with the cartridge body 50 moves the retractor link 80 from the undeformed state to the deformed state. When this occurs, the protrusion 94 of the retractor link 80 is received in the recess or opening 114 formed in the vertical struts 112 to secure the actuation slider assembly 66 to the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98.

[0067] Figures 13 to 15 The tool assembly 16 is shown with the drive assembly 98 in the drive assembly clamping position and the actuation sled assembly 66 in the sled retracted position. Although not described in detail herein, the cartridge assembly 34 includes a locking member 120 that prevents the tool assembly 16 from being re-fired with a spent staple cartridge. The locking member 120 does not form part of the present disclosure and will not be described in further detail herein. When the drive assembly 98 is in the clamping position and the actuation sled assembly 66 is in the sled retracted position, the retractor link 80 is in its non-deformed state in which the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 is bent outwardly from the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50. In order to accommodate the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 when the retractor link 80 is in the non-deformed state, the cartridge body 50 defines a recess 122 ( Fig.14 ), the recess includes a curved wall 122a, the curvature of which corresponds to the curvature of the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 in the non-deformed state.

[0068] Fig.16 The tool assembly 16 is shown with the drive assembly 98 moving from the clamped position toward the advanced position to cause the actuation slide assembly 66 to move from the slide retracted position ( Fig.14) toward the slider advanced position. When the drive assembly moves in the direction of arrow "C" from the drive assembly clamping position toward the advanced position, the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 moves the actuation slider assembly 66 in the direction of arrow "D". When the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 moves into the knife groove 52 of the cartridge body 50, the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 engages the curved wall 122a of the cartridge body 50 and moves from the undeformed state to the deformed state in the direction of arrow "E". When the retractor link 80 moves to the deformed state, the protrusion 94 of the retractor link 80 is received in the recess 114 formed in the vertical strut 112 of the working member 100 to couple the actuation slider assembly 66 to the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98. When the drive member 98 moves toward the advanced position to move the actuation slider assembly 66 toward the slider advanced position, the spacing wedge member 84 ( Fig.13 ) engages the pusher 62 of the staple cartridge 42 ( Figure 4 ) to pop the nail 60 out of the nail receiving groove 54 of the magazine body 50 into the anvil 32.

[0069] Fig.17 and Fig.18 The tool assembly 16 is shown with the drive assembly 98 returning from the advanced position to the retracted position in the direction of arrow "F". As described above, the protrusion 94 of the retractor link 80 is received in the recess or opening 114 in the vertical strut 112 of the working member 100 of the drive assembly 98 to couple the actuation slide assembly 66 to the drive assembly 98. Thus, when the drive assembly 98 is returned from the advanced position to the retracted position, the actuation slide assembly 66 also moves from the slide advanced position to the slide retracted position. When the actuation slide assembly 66 returns to the slide retracted position and the drive assembly 98 returns to the drive assembly clamping position, the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 becomes aligned with the recess 122 in the cartridge body 50. When this occurs, the proximal portion 80b of the retractor link 80 is moved back to the cartridge body 50. Fig.18 98 to return to the undeformed position in the direction of arrow "G" in the figure to decouple the actuation slide assembly 66 from the drive assembly 98. After the actuation slide assembly 66 is decoupled from the drive assembly 98, the drive assembly 98 continues to move toward the retracted position independently of the actuation slide assembly 66. In this position, the spent staple cartridge 42 ( Fig.19 ) from the channel member 34 ( Figure 3 ) is removed and replaced with a new staple cartridge to facilitate the suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) for repeated use.

[0070] Figure 20 to Figure 22 An actuation slide assembly, generally shown as an actuation slide assembly 266, and a drive assembly, generally shown as a drive assembly 298 ( Fig. 22) is an alternative form of the drive assembly of the actuation slide assembly 266. The actuation slide assembly 266 is similar to the actuation slide assembly 66 ( Fig. 6A ), and includes an actuation slide 276, a knife bar 278, and a retractor link 280. The knife bar 278 includes a knife 288 having a distally facing cutting edge 288a. The actuation slide assembly 266 is received in the cartridge body 50 of the staple cartridge 42 ( Figure 4 ), and is movable within the cartridge body 50 between a slider retracted position and a slider advanced position. The actuation slider 276 includes a central portion 282 and a spacer wedge member 284 positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 282. The wedge member 284 is configured to engage and lift the pusher 62 ( Figure 4 ) to nail 60 ( Figure 4 ) pops up from the nail receiving recess 54 of the cartridge body 50. The central portion 282 of the actuating slide 276 is received in the knife groove 52 ( Figure 4 ) and is able to move through the knife groove 52 to limit the actuation slide assembly 266 to linear motion. The actuation slide assembly 266 and the actuation slide assembly 66 ( Fig. 6A ) differs in that the retractor link 280 includes a proximal portion that includes an engagement member in the form of a bend 294.

[0071] The drive assembly 298 is similar to the drive assembly 98 and includes a working member 300 and a flexible drive beam 302. The working member 300 and the flexible drive beam 302 are as described above with respect to the working member 100 and the flexible drive beam 102, except that the distal portion of the flexible drive beam 302 defines a recess or opening 314. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the recess or opening 314 can also be formed in the vertical struts 312 of the working member 300.

[0072] The actuation slide assembly 266 and the drive assembly 298 function in the same manner as the actuation slide assembly 66 and the drive assembly 98. More specifically, when the drive assembly 298 moves from the drive assembly clamping position toward the advanced position to move the actuation slide assembly 266 from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position, the retractor link 280 moves to the knife slot 52 ( Figure 4 ) and deforms from an undeformed state to a deformed state. When this occurs, the bend 294 is received in an opening 314 defined in the drive assembly 298 to couple the actuation slide assembly 266 to the drive assembly 298.

[0073] Figure 23 to Figure 28 The suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) is shown as an actuation slide assembly 400 and a drive assembly 500 ( Fig. 27) is an alternative form of the actuation slide assembly and drive assembly of the present invention. Actuation slide assembly 400 includes an actuation slide 402, a knife bar 404, and a retractor link 406. Actuation slide assembly 400 is similar to actuation slide assembly 66 ( Figure 5 ) and 266 ( Fig.21 The actuation slide assembly 400 is received in the nail magazine 42 ( Figure 4 ) of the main body 50 ( Fig. 27 ), and is movable within the cartridge body 50 between a slider retracted position and a slider advanced position. The actuation slider 402 includes a center portion 408 and spaced wedge members 410 positioned on opposite sides of the center portion 408. The wedge members 410 are configured to engage and lift the pusher 62 ( Figure 4 ), to receive the nail from the recess 54 ( Figure 4 ) Pop-up nail 60 ( Figure 4 The central portion 408 of the actuation slide 402 is received in the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50 and is movable through the knife slot 52 to restrict the actuation slide assembly 400 to linear motion. The central portion 408 of the actuation slide 402 defines a proximally extending finger 412, a longitudinally extending rib 414 ( Fig.24 ) and a member 416 having a flat surface 416a. The rib 414 has a curved proximal surface 414a. The actuation slide 402 further defines a cutout 420 between the wedge-shaped members 410, the size of which is designed to receive the knife bar 404, as described below. The rib 414 and the member 416 are received in the cutout 420, and the flat surface 416a of the member 416 extends from the proximal side of the cutout 420.

[0074] The knife bar 404 includes a main body portion 422, a base portion 424 and a knife 426. The main body portion 422 of the knife bar 404 is received in the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50 and is movable through the knife slot ( Figure 4 The knife 426 includes a distally facing cutting edge 426a and is supported on the upper end of the main body portion 422 of the knife bar 404 and protrudes proximally from the lower portion of the main body portion 422 of the knife bar 404. The cutting edge 426a extends upward from the main body portion 422 of the knife bar 404 to the tissue engaging surface 50a ( Figure 4 ) and when the knife bar 404 is in the retracted position, the cutting edge is protected by the knife guard 58 ( Figure 4 ) protection. The base portion 424 is fixed to or formed on the lower end of the main body portion 422 and defines a channel 428 ( Fig.24), the channel is positioned to receive the rib 414 of the actuation slide 402. The base portion 424 extends outwardly from the body portion 422 and is positioned to ride along the bottom wall of the nail guard 64 ( Figure 4 The channel 428 in the base portion 424 of the knife bar 404 is partially formed by a curved proximal portion 428a ( Fig. 27 ) is defined, the curved proximal portion being configured to engage the curved proximal surface 414a of the rib 414 when the knife bar 404 is engaged with the actuation slide 402. The main body portion 422 of the knife bar 404 defines a longitudinally extending recess 430 ( Fig.24 ), the longitudinally extending recess receives the distal portion 406a of the retractor link 406. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation sled 402 is formed of plastic and the knife bar 404 is formed of metal.

[0075] The retractor link 406 is fixed to the main body portion 422 of the knife rod 404 in a cantilever manner. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the retractor link 406 is formed of an elastic material (e.g., spring steel) and includes a distal portion 406a and a proximal portion 406b. The proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 includes a coupling member, which can be in the form of a 90-degree bend 434. The distal portion 406a defines a longitudinal axis and is fixed to the central portion 408 of the knife rod 404 within the recess 430. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the distal portion 406a of the retractor link 406 has a u-shaped portion 435 that receives the main body portion 422 of the knife rod 404. The proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 extends proximally from the knife rod 404. As described above with respect to the retractor link 280 ( Fig. 20 ) The retractor link 406 is capable of moving between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. In the non-deformed state, the proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 is bent outward from the longitudinal axis defined by the distal portion 406a of the retractor link 406 and extends from the knife groove 52 ( Figure 4 When the actuation sled assembly 400 is advanced through the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 50, the proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 engages the inner wall of the cartridge body 50 defining the knife slot 52 and moves to a deformed state in which the distal portion 406a and the proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 are longitudinally aligned.

[0076] Drive assembly 500 ( Fig.26 ) is similar to drive assembly 98 ( Fig.13 ) and drive assembly 298 ( Fig. 22 ), and includes a working member 502 and a flexible driving beam 504 ( Fig. 27 The distal portion of the flexible drive beam 504 defines a recess or opening 506 ( Fig. 27), which receives the bend 434 in the proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 when the retractor link 406 is deformed. The working member 502 of the drive assembly 500 defines a distally facing recess 510 ( Fig. 27 ), when the working member 502 is moved into engagement with the knife bar 404, the distally facing recess receives the upper portion of the body portion 422 and the knife bar 404 ( Fig.26 )'s knife 426.

[0077] The actuation slide assembly 400 and the drive assembly 500 operate in the same manner as the actuation slide assembly 266 and the drive assembly 298 described above, except that the actuation slide 402 is only in abutment with the knife bar 404, and when the knife bar 404 moves from the advanced position to the retracted position with the drive assembly 500, the actuation slide does not return to the retracted position with the knife bar 404. More specifically, when the drive assembly 500 moves from the drive assembly clamping position toward the drive assembly advanced position to move the actuation slide assembly 400 from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position, the retractor link 406 moves to the knife slot 52 ( Figure 4 ) and deforms from the undeformed state to the deformed state. When this occurs, the curved portion 434 of the retractor link 406 is received in the opening 506 of the drive assembly 500 to couple the drive assembly 500 with the knife bar 404. Fig.26 When the actuator 500 moves in the direction of the arrow "H" in the figure toward the advanced position, the working member 502 of the drive assembly 500 engages the actuation slider 402 to move the actuation slider 402 from the slider retracted position to the slider advanced position, thereby moving the nail 60 ( Figure 4 ) is ejected from the staple cartridge 42. It should be noted that when the working member 502 of the drive assembly 500 is engaged with the knife bar 404, the knife 426 of the knife bar 404 is received in the recess 510 defined in the working end 502 of the drive assembly 500. In addition, when the knife bar 404 is engaged with the actuation slide 402, the base portion 424 of the knife bar 404 is received in the cutout 420 defined by the actuation slide 402. When the base portion 424 ( Fig.24 ) is received in the cutout 420 ( Fig.25 ), the base portion 424 is supported on the flat surface 416a of the member 416 so that the rib 414 of the actuating slider 402 is received in the channel 428 defined in the base portion 424 of the knife bar 404.

[0078] Fig. 27 The tool assembly 16 ( Figure 1), the drive assembly 500 is moved in the direction of arrow "I" from the advanced position toward the retracted position. When the drive assembly 500 is retracted, the knife bar 404 coupled to the drive assembly 500 via the retractor link 406 also moves toward the retracted position. However, the actuation slide 402, which is only in abutment with the knife bar 404, is disengaged from the knife bar 404 and remains in the distal portion of the staple cartridge 42. ( Fig. 27 ).

[0079] Fig.28 The proximal portion of the tool assembly 16 is shown as the drive assembly 500 approaches the retracted position. As the drive assembly 500 approaches the retracted position, the proximal portion 406b of the retractor link 406 becomes aligned with the recess 122 in the cartridge body 50 of the staple cartridge 42 and returns to a non-deformed state in the direction of arrow "J" to disengage the knife bar 404 from the drive assembly 500. As this occurs, the drive assembly 500 continues to move to the retracted position independently of the knife bar 404. Disengaging the knife bar 404 from the drive assembly 500 allows the staple cartridge 42 to be removed and replaced to facilitate stapling of the suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) for repeated use.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the devices and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It is conceivable that, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the elements and features described or described in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another exemplary embodiment. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand the additional features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, unless indicated by the appended claims, the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. An actuating slider assembly, comprising: an actuation sled including a central portion and spaced wedge members positioned on opposite sides of the central portion; a knife bar, the guide bar being engaged with the central portion of the actuation slide, the knife bar including a cutting edge positioned above the actuation slide; and A retractor link, the retractor link being formed of an elastic material and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a longitudinal axis, the retractor link having a non-deformed state and a deformed state, wherein in the non-deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link is bent outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link, and in the deformed state, the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link. 2 . The actuation sled assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the retractor link includes an engagement member. 3 . The actuation sled assembly of claim 2 , wherein the engagement member comprises a bend formed on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

4. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement member comprises a protrusion formed on the proximal portion of the retractor link.

5. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2, wherein the retractor link is formed from spring steel.

6. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2, wherein the knife bar includes a base portion, and the center portion of the actuation sled is molded around the base portion of the knife bar to securely secure the knife bar to the actuation sled.

7. The actuation sled assembly of claim 2, wherein the knife bar includes a body portion defining a longitudinally extending recess, and wherein the distal portion of the retractor link is secured within the longitudinally extending recess.

8. A surgical stapling device, comprising: A tool assembly, the tool assembly comprising: Anvil; A cartridge assembly comprising a nail cartridge having a cartridge body, a pusher, nails, and an actuation sled assembly, wherein the cartridge body defines a knife slot and nail receiving recesses positioned on each side of the knife slot, each of the nail receiving recesses receiving one of the nails and one of the pushers, the actuation sled assembly comprising: an actuation sled including a central portion and spaced wedge members positioned on opposite sides of the central portion, the central portion being received within the knife slot and movable within the knife slot; a knife bar engaged with a central portion of the actuation slide, the knife bar including a cutting edge positioned above the actuation slide and extending from the knife slot; and a retractor link formed of an elastic material and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the retractor link defining a longitudinal axis, the retractor link having a non-deformed state and a deformed state, wherein in the non-deformed state the proximal portion of the retractor link bends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link and bends outwardly from the knife groove, and in the deformed state the proximal portion of the retractor link is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the retractor link, the proximal portion of the retractor link including an engagement member; and A drive assembly comprising a flexible drive beam and a working end fixed to the flexible drive beam, the drive assembly being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the tool assembly to eject the nail from the cartridge body, the drive assembly defining a recess which receives the engaging member of the retractor link when the retractor link is in the deformed state to couple the knife rod of the actuating slide assembly to the drive assembly.

9. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the recess is formed in a working member of the drive assembly.

10. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 9, wherein said engagement member comprises a protrusion located on said proximal portion of said retractor link.

11. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein said recess is formed in said flexible drive beam of said drive assembly.

12. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said engagement member comprises a bend on said proximal portion of said retractor link.

13. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 8, wherein the retractor link is formed of spring steel.

14. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the knife bar includes a base portion, and the central portion of the actuation sled is molded around the base portion of the knife bar to securely secure the knife bar to the actuation sled.

15. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 8, wherein said knife bar includes a body portion defining a longitudinally extending recess, and said distal portion of said retractor link is secured within said longitudinally extending recess.

16. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, further comprising an adapter assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the adapter assembly supporting the tool assembly.

17. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, further comprising a handle assembly coupled to the proximal portion of the adapter assembly.

18. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 8, wherein said cartridge assembly is coupled to said anvil to facilitate movement of said tool assembly between an unclamped position and a clamped position.

19. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein said drive assembly is movable from said retracted position to a drive assembly clamped position to cause said tool assembly to move from said unclamped position to said clamped position.

20. The surgical stapling apparatus of Claim 19, wherein said drive assembly is movable between said retracted position and said drive assembly clamped position independently of said actuation sled assembly.

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