Surgical stapling device with firing lock member

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having an actuation slider assembly and a channel member supporting a locking member. The locking member includes a stop member that interacts with the drive assembly to prevent advancement of the drive assembly and firing of the stapling device when the actuation slider assembly is not present within the proximal portion of the staple cartridge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to surgical stapling devices having a locking mechanism that prevents the stapling device from firing when the stapling device has a spent staple cartridge or when an actuation sled is not present in the staple cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Surgical stapling devices for simultaneously suturing and cutting tissue are well known in the art and include a tool assembly and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly that can move relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly has a channel member and a staple cartridge received in the channel member. Typically, the staple cartridge includes a cartridge body that supports staples, a pusher, and an actuating slide, and the actuating slide can be moved from a retracted position toward an advanced position by the cartridge body, thereby sequentially engaging with the pusher to sequentially eject staples from the cartridge body.

[0003] In some suturing devices, the knife is supported on the actuating slide and can move through the cartridge body together with the actuating slide. The drive assembly is positioned proximally of the actuating slide and can move relative to the anvil and the cartridge assembly to advance the actuating slide and the knife through the staple cartridge, thereby moving the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position to eject the staples from the cartridge body and cut the tissue clamped between the anvil and the cartridge assembly. When a used staple cartridge or a staple cartridge without an actuating slide in the staple cartridge is used to fire the suturing device, the staples will not be ejected from the staple cartridge. Thus, the cut tissue will not be sutured.

[0004] There continues to be a need for a lock of simple construction that can prevent a drive assembly of a stapling device from being advanced through a staple cartridge when a slide block is not present in the proximal portion of the staple cartridge. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device, which includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having an actuating slide assembly and a channel member supporting a locking member. The locking member includes a stop member that interacts with the drive assembly to prevent advancement of the drive assembly and firing of the stapling device when the actuating slide assembly is not present in the proximal portion of the staple cartridge.

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a surgical stapling device, which includes an elongated body, a tool assembly, a drive assembly, and a locking member. The elongated body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly is supported on the distal portion of the elongated body and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly has a nail forming surface defining a first knife groove. The cartridge assembly is connected to the anvil assembly to facilitate the tool assembly to move between an open position and a clamping position, and includes a channel member and a nail cartridge. The channel member has a side wall and a bottom wall defining a channel. The bottom wall defines a second knife groove. The nail cartridge is supported in the channel of the channel member and includes a cartridge body, a nail, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly. The cartridge body has a tissue engaging surface and defines a third knife groove and a nail receiving groove positioned on each side of the third knife groove. The nail is received in the nail receiving groove. The actuating slide assembly is capable of moving from a slider retracted position to a slider advanced position in the cartridge body to eject the nail from the nail receiving groove of the cartridge body. The actuating slide assembly includes an actuating slide and a knife fixed to the actuating slide. The actuation slide has a fin extending through the second knife groove to a position outward from the channel. The knife includes a blade having a cutting edge positioned within and extending above the tissue engagement surface of the cartridge body. The drive assembly includes a working member positioned proximal to the actuation slide assembly and capable of moving through the cartridge body between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the actuation slide assembly from the slider retracted position to the slider advanced position. The locking member is supported on the outer surface of the channel member and is capable of moving from a first position to a second position, the first position obstructing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, the second position allowing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position. The fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the locking member when the actuation slide assembly moves from the slider retracted position toward the slider advanced position to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

[0007] In aspects of the present disclosure, the locking member includes a stop member extending across the second sipe, and the fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the stop member to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

[0008] In some aspects of the invention, the fin has an inclined distal cam surface and a proximal stop surface, and the inclined distal cam surface is configured to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

[0009] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the locking member includes a lance extending distally from the stop member and the lance is positioned to engage a proximal stop surface of the fin to prevent the actuation slide assembly from moving to the slide-retracted position.

[0010] In aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation slide assembly includes a retraction link that is movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuation slide assembly from a slide retracted position toward a slide advanced position to couple the actuation slide assembly to a working member of a drive assembly.

[0011] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the retract link includes a protrusion, the drive assembly defines an opening, and the protrusion is received within the opening when the retract link is in the second position.

[0012] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the working member includes first and second beams and a vertical brace connecting the first beam to the second beam, the vertical brace being movable through the first, second, and third knife slots when the working member moves between a retracted position and an advanced position.

[0013] In aspects of the present disclosure, the first beam includes a proximally facing cam slot positioned to engage the lance to move the locking member from the first position to the second position when the working member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

[0014] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first beam includes a distally facing cutout positioned adjacent to a fin of the actuation sled to allow the lance to engage a stop surface of the fin.

[0015] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, a suturing device includes a handle assembly coupled to a proximal portion of an elongated body.

[0016] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a tool assembly, which includes an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly, a drive assembly, and a locking member. The anvil assembly has a nail forming surface defining a first knife groove. The cartridge assembly is connected to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamping position, and includes a channel member and a nail cartridge. The channel member has side walls and a bottom wall defining a channel. The bottom wall defines a second knife groove. The nail cartridge is supported in the channel of the channel member and includes a cartridge body, a nail, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly. The cartridge body has a tissue engaging surface and defines a third knife groove and a nail receiving groove positioned on each side of the third knife groove. The nail is received in the nail receiving groove. The actuating slide assembly is capable of moving from a slider retracted position to a slider advanced position in the cartridge body to eject the nail from the nail receiving groove of the cartridge body. The actuating slide assembly includes an actuating slide and a knife fixed to the actuating slide. The actuation slider has a fin extending through the second knife slot to a position outward of the channel, and the knife includes a blade having a cutting edge positioned within and extending above the tissue engagement surface of the cartridge body. The drive assembly includes a working member positioned proximal to the actuation slider assembly and capable of moving through the cartridge body between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the actuation slider assembly from the slider retracted position to the slider advanced position. The locking member is supported on the outer surface of the channel member and is capable of moving from a first position to a second position, the first position obstructing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, and the second position allowing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position. The fin of the actuation slider is positioned to engage the locking member when the actuation slider assembly moves from the slider retracted position toward the slider advanced position to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

[0017] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cartridge assembly, which includes a channel member, a staple cartridge, and a locking member. The channel member has a side wall and a bottom wall defining a channel, and the bottom wall defines a first knife groove. The staple cartridge is supported in the channel of the channel member and includes a cartridge body, a staple, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly. The cartridge body has a tissue engaging surface and defines a second knife groove and a staple receiving groove positioned on each side of the second knife groove. The staple is received in the staple receiving groove. The actuating slide assembly is capable of moving from a slider retracted position to a slider advanced position in the cartridge body to eject the staple from the staple receiving groove of the cartridge body. The actuating slide assembly includes an actuating slide and a knife fixed to the actuating slide. The actuating slide has a fin extending through the second knife groove to a position outward of the channel, and the knife includes a blade having a cutting edge positioned in the tissue engaging surface of the cartridge body and extending above the tissue engaging surface. The locking member is supported on the outer surface of the cartridge assembly's channel member and has a stop member extending across the first knife groove. The locking member is movable from a first locked position to a second unlocked position in response to movement of the actuation slide assembly from the slide-retracted position toward the slide-advanced position.

[0018] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a suturing device according to aspects of the present disclosure, the suturing device including a tool assembly in an open position;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top side perspective view of a distal portion of a stapling device is shown illustrating an anvil of the tool assembly and a staple cartridge assembly in an open position with the staple cartridge removed from a channel of the staple cartridge assembly;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 an exploded side perspective view of a staple cartridge of the cartridge assembly shown;

[0023] Figure 4 The actuating slider assembly is shown in FIG. Figure 3 An enlarged view of the indicated detail area is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 a bottom perspective view of the actuation slide assembly shown;

[0025] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of a central portion of an actuation slide assembly;

[0026] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a working member of a drive assembly of a suturing device is shown;

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 a bottom perspective view of the tool assembly shown with a staple cartridge received in a channel of the cartridge assembly;

[0028] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Magnified view of the indicated detail area shown in ;

[0029] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 a perspective view of a proximal portion of a channel of a cartridge assembly shown with a locking member separated from the channel;

[0030] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 a side perspective view of the locking member shown;

[0031] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a tool assembly of a stapling device is shown with the tool assembly in a clamped position and the actuation sled assembly present in the staple cartridge;

[0032] Fig.12 It is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12;

[0033] Fig.13 It passes through Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken of a proximal portion of the tool assembly is shown as the drive assembly begins to move through a firing stroke;

[0034] Fig.14 is a cross-sectional view taken through a proximal portion of the tool assembly as the drive assembly returns toward a retracted position following a firing stroke;

[0035] Fig.15 yes Fig.11 a perspective view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly shown with the drive assembly moved closer to a retracted position after a firing stroke;

[0036] Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 16-16;

[0037] Fig.17 yes Fig.11 a perspective view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly shown with the drive assembly in a retracted position after a firing stroke;

[0038] Fig.18 It is along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18;

[0039] Fig.18A It is along Fig.18 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 18A-18A;

[0040] Fig.19 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a tool assembly of a stapling device shown with the tool assembly in a clamped position and without an actuation sled assembly in the staple cartridge; and

[0041] Fig. 20 It is along Fig.19 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 20 - 20 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] 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 are merely illustrative 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 employ the present disclosure differently with almost any suitable specific structure.

[0043] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is closer to the clinician during the use of the suturing device in a conventional manner, and the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is farther away from the clinician during the use of the suturing device in a conventional manner. In addition, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses and support staff. In addition, directional terms such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom and similar terms are used to help understand this specification, rather than to limit the present disclosure.

[0044] The disclosed surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly has a channel member and a staple cartridge, the channel member defining a channel, the staple cartridge being received in the channel. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly. The drive assembly has a working member that can move through the tool assembly to advance the actuating slide assembly through the staple cartridge, thereby actuating the tool assembly. The cartridge assembly supports a locking member that interacts with the drive assembly to prevent the advancement of the drive assembly and the firing of the stapling device when the actuating slide is not present in the proximal portion of the staple cartridge.

[0045] Figure 1 A surgical stapling device, generally shown as stapling device 10, is shown in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Stapling device 10 includes a handle assembly 12, an elongated body 14, and a tool assembly 16. Elongated body 14 defines a longitudinal axis "X" ( Figure 1 ). The handle assembly 12 includes a body 18 that defines a handle 18a, a plurality of actuator buttons 20, and a knob 22. The knob 22 is rotatably supported on a distal portion of the body 18 of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongated body 14 to facilitate rotation of the elongated body 14 and the tool assembly 16 relative to the handle assembly 12 about a longitudinal axis "X" of the elongated body 14. The actuator buttons 20 control the operation of various functions of the stapling device 10, including articulation, clamping, firing, and cutting of tissue.

[0046] The tool assembly 16 includes an anvil assembly 24 and a cartridge assembly 26 that are movable relative to each other in an open position ( Figure 1 ) and a clamping position (11). In aspects of the present disclosure, the anvil assembly 24 is fixed relative to the slender body 14, and the cartridge assembly 26 is capable of pivoting toward and away from the anvil assembly 24. However, it is contemplated that the cartridge assembly 26 may be fixed relative to the slender body 14, and the anvil assembly 24 may pivot toward and away from the cartridge assembly 26. Although the suturing device 10 is shown as an electric suturing device, it is contemplated that the tool assembly 16 is also suitable for use with manually powered surgical suturing devices and robotically operated suturing systems. U.S. Patent No. 9,055,943 discloses a surgical suturing device including a powered handle assembly, U.S. Patent No. 6,241,139 discloses a surgical suturing device including a manually actuated handle assembly, and U.S. Patent No. 9,962,159 discloses a suturing device configured for use with a robotic system.

[0047] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The anvil assembly 24 and the cartridge assembly 26 are shown. Figure 1 ) tool assembly 16. Anvil assembly 24 includes a nail forming surface 25 ( Figure 7 ). The cartridge assembly 26 includes a staple cartridge 28 and a channel member 30 that defines a channel 32 for receiving the staple cartridge 28. In aspects of the present disclosure, the staple cartridge 28 is releasably secured within the channel 32 to facilitate reuse of the suturing device 10. The channel member 30 includes side walls 34 and a bottom wall 36 that define the channel 32. The bottom wall 36 defines a knife groove 30a. In aspects of the present disclosure, the side walls 34 of the channel member 30 define a cutout 38 and a recess 40 that are configured to align and retain the staple cartridge 28 within the channel 32 of the channel member 30, as described in further detail below.

[0048] The staple cartridge 28 includes a cartridge body 42, an actuation slide assembly 44, a pusher 46, staples 48, and a base plate 50. The cartridge body 42 defines a knife slot 52 and staple receiving slots 54 positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot 52. When the staple cartridge 28 is received in the channel 32 of the channel member 30, the knife slot 52 in the cartridge body 42 is longitudinally aligned with the knife slot 30a of the channel member 30. In aspects of the present disclosure, the staple receiving slots 54 are aligned in a row on each side of the knife slot 52. Although three rows of staple receiving slots 54 are shown on each side of the knife slot 52, it is contemplated that the cartridge body 42 may define one or more rows of staple receiving slots 54 on each side of the knife slot 52. Each of the staple receiving slots 54 receives one of the staples 48 and one of the pushers 46. The pusher 46 supports the nail 48 and is successively engaged by the actuation slide assembly 44 as the actuation slide assembly 44 advances from the retracted position to the advanced position through the cartridge body 42 to eject the nail 48 from the cartridge body 42. The base plate 50 is fixed to the bottom of the cartridge body 42 to prevent the pusher 46 and the nail 48 from falling from the bottom of the cartridge body 42.

[0049] In aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge body 42 includes an outwardly extending protrusion 60 that is received in the cutout 38 in the sidewall 34 of the channel member 30 to properly position the staple cartridge 28 in the channel 32 of the channel member 30. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge body 42 also includes a tab 62 that is received in the notch 40 in the sidewall 34 of the channel member 30 to releasably retain the staple cartridge in the channel 32 of the channel member 30. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge body 42 includes a raised guard 64 that extends above the tissue engaging surface 66 of the cartridge body 42 at a location proximal to the staple receiving slot 54, on the opposite side of the proximal portion of the knife slot 52. The raised guard 64 protects the knife 86 of the actuation sled assembly 44 when the actuation sled assembly 44 is in the sled retracted position, as described in further detail below.

[0050] The base plate 50 of the staple cartridge 28 includes side walls 72 and a bottom wall 74 defining a channel that receives the cartridge body 42 of the staple cartridge 28. The bottom wall 74 of the base plate 50 defines a knife slot 76 that is longitudinally aligned with the knife slot 52 and the knife slot 30a of the cartridge body 42 and the channel member 30, respectively. The side wall 72 of the base plate 50 defines an opening 78 that receives the tab 62 of the cartridge body 42 in a snap-fit ​​manner to secure the base plate 50 to the cartridge body 42. In aspects of the present disclosure, the proximal portion of the side wall 72 of the base plate 50 also includes an inwardly extending resilient finger 80 that snaps into a recess 82 in the cartridge body 42 to secure the base plate 50 to the cartridge body.

[0051] Figures 4 to 5AThe actuation slide assembly 44 is shown, which includes an actuation slide 84, a knife 86, and a retraction link 88. The actuation slide 84 includes a slide body 90 having a central portion 92 and cam surfaces 94 positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 92 of the slide body 90. The cam surfaces 94 define a ramp that is positioned to engage the pusher 46 ( Figure 3 ), to sequentially eject the nails 48 from the cartridge body 42 of the nail cartridge 28 ( Figure 3 The central portion 92 of the slider body 90 of the actuating slider 84 is received in the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 42 and includes a lower fin 96 that extends through the knife slot 76 of the base plate 50 and the knife slot 30a of the channel member 30 ( Figure 2 The fin 96 includes an inclined distal cam surface 96a and a substantially vertical proximal stop surface 96b. The central portion 92 of the body 90 of the actuation slide 84 also includes a proximal extension 98 ( Figure 5A ). In aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation sled 84 is formed of plastic, the knife 86 is formed of metal (e.g., stainless steel), and the actuation sled 84 is overmolded onto the knife 86. Alternatively, other techniques and fixings are contemplated for fixing the knife 86 to the actuation sled 84.

[0052] The knife 86 includes a body 100 and a blade 106. The body 100 of the knife 86 defines a centrally located recess 104 ( Figure 5A ), which receives the proximal extension 98 of the actuation slide 84 to secure the knife 86 to the actuation slide 84. The blade 106 has a cutting edge 106a ( Figure 5A ), and extends upwardly and proximally from the body 100 of the knife 86 so that the cutting edge 86a extends from the cartridge body 42 ( Figure 3 ) extends upwardly to the tissue engaging surface 66 ( Figure 3 When the actuation sled assembly 44 is in the retracted position in the cartridge body 42 of the staple cartridge 28, the cutting edge 106a of the blade 106 is positioned between the raised guards 64 of the cartridge body 42 proximal to the body 100 of the knife 86.

[0053] The retraction link 88 of the actuation slide assembly 44 is formed of a resilient material (e.g., spring steel) and includes a longitudinal portion 88a and a curved portion 88b. The longitudinal portion 88a is fixed to the body 100 of the knife 86, and the curved portion 88b extends proximally from the longitudinal portion 88a to a position proximal to the knife 86. In aspects of the present disclosure, the body 100 of the knife 86 may include a longitudinal groove (not shown) that receives the longitudinal portion 88a of the retraction link 88. The curved portion 88b of the retraction link 88 has a proximal end that includes or supports a curved portion or protrusion 108. When the actuation slide assembly 44 moves from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position, the retraction link 88 is received in the knife slot 52 of the cartridge body 42 and moves through the knife slot. When the actuation slide assembly 44 is in the slide retracted position, the curved portion 86b of the retraction link 88 is positioned in a recess 91 ( 108 ) defined in the cartridge body 42 in a non-deformed configuration. Fig.18A When the actuation slide assembly 44 moves from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position, the curved portion 88b of the retract link 88 moves from within the recess 91 into the knife slot 52 and deforms inwardly into substantial longitudinal alignment with the distal portion 88a of the retract link 88, so that the curved portion or protrusion 108 moves inwardly into longitudinal alignment with the body 100 of the knife 86.

[0054] Figure 6 The suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) of the drive assembly 110. The drive assembly 110 includes an elastic and / or flexible drive beam 112 and a working member 114. The drive beam 112 has a proximal portion (not shown) and a distal portion 112a, the proximal portion being coupled to a support on the suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) within the elongated body 14, the distal portion of which is coupled to the working member 114. In aspects of the present disclosure, the resilient drive beam 112 is formed from a laminated sheet of material (e.g., steel) welded to the working member 114. Alternatively, other materials of construction and securing techniques are contemplated.

[0055] The working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 118, a second beam 120, and a vertical brace 122 connecting the first beam 118 to the second beam 120. The working member 114 is positioned on the actuation slide assembly 44 ( Figure 4 ) and in response to the actuation button 20 ( Figure 1 ) is actuated to move through the tool assembly 16 between the retracted position and the advanced position to pass through the tool assembly 16 ( Figure 1 ) moves the actuation slide assembly 44 from the slide-retracted position to the slide-advanced position. When the working member 114 moves through the cartridge assembly 26, the first beam 118 of the working member 114 is received in the channel 124 defined in the anvil assembly 24 ( Fig.12 ), the second beam 120 engages with the channel member 30 of the bin assembly 26, and the vertical brace 122 moves through the bin assembly 28 ( Figure 3 ) of the cartridge body 42 and the knife groove 52 and the knife groove 30a of the channel member 30 and the knife groove 25a of the anvil assembly 24 ( Fig.12 In aspects of the present disclosure, the first beam 118 of the working member 114 defines a distally facing notch 118 a and a proximally facing cam slot 118 b that align with the knife slot 30 a in the channel member 30 .

[0056] In aspects of the present disclosure, the vertical struts 122 of the working member 114 define a distally facing recess 132 and a proximally facing recess or opening 134. When the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 moves into contact with the actuation slide assembly 44 ( Fig.12 ), the distally facing recess 132 receives the portion of the knife 86 including the blade 106, so that the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 is in abutting relationship with the actuation slide assembly 44. When the curved portion 86b of the retract link 88 is deformed inwardly to couple the actuation slide assembly 44 to the working member 114, the opening 134 receives the curved portion or protrusion 108 of the retract link 88. The retract link 88 couples the actuation slide assembly 44 to the working member 114 so that when the stapling device 10 ( Figure 1 ) After being fired, the retraction of the drive assembly 110 also causes the actuating slide assembly 44 to retract.

[0057] Figures 7 to 10 The tool assembly 16 ( Figure 1 ) of the locking member 140. The locking member 140 is fixed to the bin assembly 26 ( Figure 1 ) and is formed of an elastic material (such as spring steel, etc.). In aspects of the present disclosure, the locking member 140 can be formed in various ways and processes, including stamping, metal injection molding (MIM), etc. The thickness of the locking member 140 can be selectively selected to provide the required stiffness or flexibility. The proximal portion of the channel member 30 includes a ramp 142, which is positioned on each side of the knife groove 30a and is engaged by the first beam 118 of the working member 114. The channel member 30 includes an outer surface, which includes an overhang 144 defined by spaced elongated slots 146 in the channel member 30. The overhang 144 is positioned distally of the ramp 142. The locking member 140 is substantially U-shaped and includes a stop member 148 and two legs 150 extending distally from the stop member 148. Legs 150 are secured within elongated slots 146 of channel member 30 , such as by welding, such that stop members 148 of locking member 140 are supported on channel member 30 in a cantilevered manner, with stop members 148 extending across knife slots 30 a of channel member 30 .

[0058] The stop member 148 of the locking member 140 includes a proximal surface defining an inclined cam surface 148a that is aligned with the knife slot 30a of the channel member 30 and is positioned distally of the fin 96 of the actuation slide 84 of the actuation slide assembly 44. The stop member 148 of the locking member 140 also includes a lance 152 that extends distally along the knife slot 30a between the two legs 150 of the locking member 140. The lance 152 can be slightly inclined downward in the distal direction toward the knife slot 30a of the channel member 30. In aspects of the present disclosure, each of the legs 150 of the locking member 140 includes a shoulder 156 that abuts the proximal surface of the overhang 144 of the channel member 30.

[0059] In the suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ), the working member 114 is positioned proximal to the actuation slide assembly 44 and proximal to the ramp 142. Fig.11 and Fig.12 The suturing device 10 is shown in a clamped position ( Figure 1 ) of the tool assembly 16. When the drive assembly 110 is in Fig.12 When the working member 114 moves from the retracted position to the clamped position in the direction of the arrow "A" in FIG. 1 , the working member 114 moves to an abutting relationship with the actuating slide assembly 44, and the first beam 118 of the working member 114 moves over the ramp 142 of the channel member 30 to allow the cartridge assembly 26 to move in the direction of the arrow "A" in FIG. Fig.11 86 is pivoted from the open position to the clamped position in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG. In the clamped position, the blade 106 of the knife 86 is received in the distally facing recess 132 in the vertical strut 122 of the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110, so that the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 is in abutting relationship with the actuation slide assembly 44.

[0060] Fig.13The proximal portion of the tool assembly 16 is shown as the drive assembly 110 is advanced in the direction of arrow "C" from the clamped position toward the advanced position to eject the staples 48 from the cartridge body 42 of the staple cartridge 28. As the drive assembly 110 advances from the clamped position toward the advanced position, the working member 114 advances the actuation sled assembly 44 from the sled retracted position toward the sled advanced position. As the actuation sled assembly 44 begins to advance in the direction of arrow "C", the inclined distal cam surface 96a of the fin 96 of the actuation sled 84 engages the inclined cam surface 148a on the stop member 148 of the locking member 140 and pushes the stop member 148 upward in the direction of arrow "D" to allow the actuation sled assembly 44 and the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 to pass under the locking member 140. Once the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 is moved distally past the locking member 140, the working member 114 is free to move to its advanced position to move the actuation sled assembly 44 to the sled advanced position, thereby inserting the staples 48 ( Figure 3 ) is ejected from the cartridge body 42 of the staple cartridge 28. It should be noted that when the actuation slide assembly 44 moves toward the slide forward position, the curved portion 88b of the retract link 88 is retracted from the recess 91 ( Fig.18A ) moves into the knife slot 52 and deforms inwardly so that the bend or protrusion 108 of the retraction link 88 is received in the opening 134 in the vertical strut 122 of the working member 114. When this occurs, the actuation slide assembly 44 is coupled to the working member 114 so that the actuation slide assembly 44 will retract with the working member 114 after firing is completed.

[0061] Figures 14 to 18A The suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) After the tool assembly 16 is fired, the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 and the actuating slide assembly 44 are in Fig.16 When the proximally facing cam surface 118b of the first beam 118 of the working member 114 engages the lance 152 of the stop member 148 of the locking member 140, the stop member 148 is retracted in the direction of the arrow "E" in FIG. Fig.14 140 and is pushed upward in the direction of arrow "F" in the figure to allow working member 114 to pass proximally under locking member 140 and return to its retracted position ( Figures 14 to 16 When the drive assembly 110 returns to the clamping position and the bent portion 88b of the retracted link 88 is aligned with the recess 91 in the bin body 42 ( Fig.18A ) is aligned, the bent portion 88 of the retracting link 88b is in Fig.18A4. Return to the non-deformed configuration in the direction of arrow "K" in FIG. 4 and move back into the recess 91 of the cartridge body 42. When the working member 114 is retracted beyond the stop member 148 of the locking member 140, the lance 152 of the locking member 140 will Fig.18 96 and engage the stop surface 96b of the fin 96 of the actuation slide assembly 44 to prevent further retraction of the actuation slide assembly 44. In this regard, the distally facing cutout 118a of the first beam 118 of the working member 114 is positioned adjacent to the proximal surface of the fin 96 and allows the lance 152 to engage the stop surface 96b of the fin 96 to hinder further proximal movement of the actuation slide assembly 44. The working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 will be independent of the actuation slide assembly 44 ( Fig.17 and Fig.18 ) continues to move from the clamped position to the retracted position.

[0062] Fig.19 and Fig. 20 The suturing device 10 ( Figure 1 ) tool assembly 16, when attempting to fire the stapling device 10 when the actuation sled assembly 44 is not present in the proximal portion of the staple cartridge 28. This may occur when the staple cartridge 28 is manufactured without the actuation sled assembly 44, or when attempting to fire the stapling device 10 with a used staple cartridge 28. Fig. 20 , and the actuation sled assembly 44 is not present in the proximal portion of the staple cartridge 28, the first beam 118 of the working member 114 engages the proximal side of the stop member 148 of the locking member 140 to prevent the working member 114 from advancing from the clamped position toward the advanced position. This prevents the knife 86 from advancing when the staples 48 and / or the actuation sled 84 are not present in the staple cartridge 28.

[0063] 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 contemplated that, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the elements and features shown or described in conjunction with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may be combined with the elements and features of another aspect. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand other features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Therefore, unless indicated by the appended claims, the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. A surgical suturing device, comprising: an elongated body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongated body, the tool assembly comprising: an anvil assembly having a staple forming surface defining a first knife channel; and a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising a channel member and a staple cartridge, the channel member having side walls and a bottom wall defining a channel, the bottom wall defining a second knife slot, the staple cartridge supported within the channel of the channel member and comprising a cartridge body, a staple, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly, the cartridge body having a tissue engaging surface and defining a third knife slot and a staple receiving slot positioned on each side of the third knife slot, the staple being received in the staple receiving slot, the actuating slide assembly being capable of moving within the cartridge body from a slider retracted position to a slider advanced position to eject the staple from the staple receiving slot of the cartridge body, the actuating slide assembly comprising an actuating slide and a knife fixed to the actuating slide, the actuating slide having a fin extending through the second knife slot to a position outward of the channel, the knife comprising a blade having a cutting edge positioned within and extending above the tissue engaging surface of the cartridge body; a drive assembly including a working member positioned proximally of the actuation slider assembly and movable through the cartridge body between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the actuation slider assembly from the slider retracted position to the slider advanced position; and a locking member supported on an outer surface of the channel member, the locking member being movable from a first position, the first position obstructing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, to a second position allowing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, Wherein the fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the locking member when the actuation slide assembly moves from the slide-retracted position toward the slide-advanced position to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

2. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a stop member extending across the second knife groove, and the fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the stop member to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

3. A surgical stapling device according to claim 2, wherein the fin has an inclined distal cam surface and a proximal stop surface, and the inclined distal cam surface is configured to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

4. The surgical stapling device of claim 3, wherein said locking member comprises a lance extending distally from said stop member, said lance being positioned to engage said proximal stop surface of said fin to prevent said actuation slide assembly from moving to said slide-retracted position.

5. The surgical suturing device according to claim 4, wherein the actuation slide assembly includes a retraction link, which is capable of moving from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuation slide assembly from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position to connect the actuation slide assembly to the working member of the drive assembly.

6. The surgical stapling device of claim 5, wherein the retraction link includes a protrusion and the drive assembly defines an opening, the protrusion being received within the opening when the retraction link is in the second position.

7. The surgical stapling device of claim 6, wherein the working member comprises a first beam and a second beam and a vertical strut connecting the first beam to the second beam, the vertical strut being movable through the first, second and third knife grooves when the working member moves between the retracted position and the advanced position.

8. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, wherein the first beam includes a proximally facing cam groove, and the proximally facing cam groove is positioned to engage the lance when the working member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

9. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein said first beam includes a distally facing cutout positioned adjacent to said fin of said actuation sled to allow said lance to engage said stop surface of said fin.

10. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a handle assembly coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated body.

11. A tool assembly, comprising: an anvil assembly having a staple forming surface defining a first knife channel; and a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising a channel member and a staple cartridge, the channel member having side walls and a bottom wall defining a channel, the bottom wall defining a second knife slot, the staple cartridge supported within the channel of the channel member and comprising a cartridge body, a staple, a pusher, and an actuating slide assembly, the cartridge body having a tissue engaging surface and defining a third knife slot and a staple receiving slot positioned on each side of the third knife slot, the staple being received in the staple receiving slot, the actuating slide assembly being capable of moving within the cartridge body from a slider retracted position to a slider advanced position to eject the staple from the staple receiving slot of the cartridge body, the actuating slide assembly comprising an actuating slide and a knife fixed to the actuating slide, the actuating slide having a fin extending through the second knife slot to a position outward of the channel, the knife comprising a blade having a cutting edge positioned within and extending above the tissue engaging surface of the cartridge body; a drive assembly including a working member positioned proximally of the actuation slider assembly and movable through the cartridge body between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the actuation slider assembly from the slider retracted position to the slider advanced position; and a locking member supported on an outer surface of the channel member, the locking member being movable from a first position, the first position obstructing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, to a second position allowing movement of the working member from the retracted position to the advanced position, Wherein the fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the locking member when the actuation slide assembly moves from the slide-retracted position toward the slide-advanced position to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

12. The tool assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking member includes a stop member extending across the second knife groove, and the fin of the actuation slide is positioned to engage the stop member to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

13. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the fin has an inclined distal cam surface and a proximal stop surface, the inclined distal cam surface being configured to move the locking member from the first position to the second position.

14. The tool assembly of claim 13, wherein the locking member includes a lance extending distally from the stop member, the lance positioned to engage the proximal stop surface of the fin to prevent movement of the actuation sled assembly to the sled-retracted position.

15. A tool assembly according to claim 14, wherein the actuating slide assembly includes a retraction link, which is capable of moving from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuating slide assembly from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position to connect the actuating slide assembly to the working member of the drive assembly.

16. The tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the retract link includes a protrusion and the drive assembly defines an opening, the protrusion being received within the opening when the retract link is in the second position.

17. The tool assembly of claim 16, wherein the working member includes a first beam and a second beam and a vertical brace connecting the first beam to the second beam, the vertical brace being movable through the first, second and third knife slots when the working member moves between the retracted and advanced positions.

18. The tool assembly of claim 17, wherein the first beam includes a proximally facing cam slot positioned to engage the lance to move the locking member from the first position to the second position when the working member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

19. The tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the first beam includes a distally facing cutout positioned adjacent the fin of the actuation sled to allow the lance to engage the stop surface of the fin.

20. A bin assembly, comprising: a channel member having side walls defining a channel and a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a first slit; a staple cartridge supported in the channel of the channel member and comprising a cartridge body, staples, a pusher and an actuation slide assembly, the cartridge body having a tissue engaging surface and defining a second knife slot and a staple receiving slot positioned on each side of the second knife slot, the staples being received in the staple receiving slots, the actuation slide assembly being movable from a slide retracted position to a slide advanced position in the cartridge body to eject the staples from the staple receiving slots of the cartridge body, the actuation slide assembly comprising an actuation slide and a knife fixed to the actuation slide, the actuation slide having a fin extending through the second knife slot to a position outward of the channel, the knife comprising a blade having a cutting edge positioned in and extending above the tissue engaging surface of the cartridge body; and A locking member supported on an outer surface of the channel member of the bin assembly, the locking member having a stop member extending across the first knife groove, the locking member being capable of moving from a first locked position to a second unlocked position in response to movement of the actuating slide assembly from the slide retracted position toward the slide advanced position.

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