Staple cartridge with knife

Abstract

A staple cartridge has a cartridge body with a central slot, an actuation slider, and a knife. The actuation slider includes a body having a base. The body has a guide member including a slot extending from a base. The actuation slider also includes bevel cam wedges disposed on opposite sides of the guide member and a recess located in the base. A spring including a support portion and a finger portion is coupled to the actuation slider. The finger portion is resiliently connected to the support portion. The cartridge also includes a knife. The knife includes a foot, an arm, and a protrusion. The foot has a first pin disposed in the slot such that the knife is rotatable relative to the guide member. The protrusion engages the finger such that the finger biases the protrusion in a first direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates generally to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to surgical stapling devices including a staple cartridge with a knife. BACKGROUND

[0002] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are well known and are typically used during surgical procedures to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery time. Typically, an endoscopic stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly that is movable 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 and a cartridge assembly that are coupled to one another by a pivot member and are movable relative to one another between an open position and a clamped position in response to movement of the drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that supports staples that are also ejected from the staple cartridge in response to movement of the drive assembly.

[0003] Some stapling devices include a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. Other stapling devices include a reload assembly that includes a staple cartridge and a drive assembly that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The use of a reload assembly provides a new cutting blade for each firing of the stapling device to maintain cutting quality. The use of a replaceable staple cartridge reduces costs associated with surgical procedures, but typically requires reuse of the cutting blade. Reuse of the same cutting blade can cause the cutting blade to dull, which reduces cutting quality. SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, an actuation sled, and a knife. The cartridge body has a central slot extending along a length of the cartridge body. The actuation sled includes a body having a base. The body has a guide member including a slot. The guide member and the slot extend from the base in an orientation transverse to the base. The body further includes a beveled cam wedge disposed on opposite sides of the guide member and a recess in the base. The body further includes a spring having a support portion and a finger portion elastically coupled to the support portion. The knife includes a foot, an arm, and a projection. The arm and the projection extend from the foot in opposite directions. The foot has a first pin disposed in the slot such that the pin is slidable in the slot and the knife is rotatable relative to the guide member. The arm includes a second pin and a blade. The second pin is engageable with a groove of a drive member. The projection engages the finger portion such that the finger portion biases the projection in a first direction to urge the arm in the first direction and define a shielded position of the knife.

[0005] In an aspect of the disclosure, translation of the drive member from the retracted position toward the advanced position can cause the second pin to slide from the distal position of the groove toward the proximal position of the groove, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0006] In another aspect of the disclosure, translation of the drive member toward the advanced position can overcome the bias of the finger, causing the knife to rotate in the second direction toward the cutting position.

[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, the drive member can include a nose that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and can be configured to push tissue toward the blade.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, the cartridge body can further include staples disposed in the corresponding number of staple-receiving pockets.

[0009] In an aspect of the disclosure, the staple cartridge can further include a pusher positioned within the staple-receiving pocket and supporting the staple, and the beveled cam wedge can be movable into engagement with the pusher to eject the staple from the staple-receiving pocket.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, translation of the drive member from the advanced position toward the retracted position can cause the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position toward the distal position.

[0011] In an aspect of the disclosure, translation of the drive member from the advanced position toward the retracted position can decouple the actuation sled from the drive member, and the finger can bias the tab in the first direction, thereby rotating the knife in the first direction to the guard position.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a surgical suturing instrument includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a reloading assembly, and a tool assembly. The reloading assembly is coupled to the shaft and includes a drive member and a working member. The drive member is translatable between a retracted position and an advanced position, and the working member is disposed at a distal end of the drive member. The tool assembly is coupled to the reloading assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly, which are pivotable relative to each other between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. The cartridge assembly includes a receiving portion and a staple cartridge disposed in the receiving portion. The staple cartridge has a cartridge body including a central slot, an actuating slider including a body and a base, and a guide member including an elongated slot. The guide member and the elongated slot extend transversely to the base. The staple cartridge further includes a spring having a support portion and fingers extending elastically from the support portion. The support portion is disposed in a recess in the base. Additionally, the staple cartridge includes a blade having a foot, an arm, and a protrusion. The arm and the protrusion extend from the foot in opposite directions. The support includes a first pin disposed in a slot, allowing the blade to rotate relative to the guide member. The arm includes a blade and a second pin. The second pin engages with a groove in the working member. A protrusion engages with a finger, such that the finger biases the protrusion in a first direction, thereby pushing the arm in the first direction and defining a protective position for the blade. The blade can be moved to a cutting position as the drive member translates from a retracted position toward an advanced position.

[0013] In one aspect of this disclosure, translation of the drive member from the retracted position toward the advance position can cause the second pin to slide from the distal position of the groove toward the proximal position of the groove, thereby causing the cutter to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0014] In another aspect of this disclosure, the translation of the drive member toward the advance position can overcome the offset of the finger portion, causing the blade to rotate toward the exposed position in the second direction.

[0015] In various aspects of this disclosure, the working component may include a nose that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and may be configured to push tissue toward the blade.

[0016] In another aspect of this disclosure, the housing may further include nails disposed in a corresponding number of nail receiving recesses.

[0017] In another aspect of this disclosure, the staple cartridge may include a pusher positioned within a staple receiving recess and supporting a staple, wherein an angled wedge may be movable to engage with the pusher to eject a staple from the staple receiving recess.

[0018] In one aspect of this disclosure, translation of the drive member from the advance position to the retracted position can cause the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position to the distal position.

[0019] In another aspect of this disclosure, translation of the drive member from the advance position toward the retracted position can separate the actuated slider from the working member, and the finger portion can bias the protrusion along the first direction, thereby causing the cutter to rotate to the protective position along the first direction.

[0020] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a tool assembly for use with a surgical suture instrument includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are pivotable relative to each other between an open position and a clamping position. The cartridge assembly has a receiving portion, a cartridge body with a central slot, and an actuating slider translatable within the cartridge body, the actuating slider including a base with a recess. The cartridge assembly includes a guide member extending from the base, the guide member including an elongated slot transverse to the base. The guide member includes a spring coupled to the base, the spring including resilient fingers. The cartridge assembly also includes a blade having a foot, an arm, and a protrusion. The foot includes a first pin positioned in the elongated slot such that the blade is pivotable relative to the guide member. The arm includes a blade and a second pin. The second pin is slidably engaged with a groove in a drive member. The protrusion is operatively coupled to the resilient fingers such that the resilient fingers bias the protrusion in a first direction and define a protective position for the blade. When the drive component moves linearly through the chamber from the retracted position toward the advance position, the cutter can be switched to the cutting position, wherein the second pin slides at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber in the groove.

[0021] In one aspect of this disclosure, translation of the drive member from the retracted position toward the advance position can cause the second pin to slide from the distal position of the groove toward the proximal position of the groove, thereby causing the cutter to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0022] In another aspect of this disclosure, the drive member may include a nose that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis and may be configured to push tissue toward the blade.

[0023] In another aspect of this disclosure, translation of the drive member from the advance position to the retracted position causes the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position to the distal position, and can separate the actuating slider from the drive member. The finger-like portion can bias the protrusion along a first direction, thereby rotating the blade to a protective position along the first direction.

[0024] Other features of this disclosure will be understood from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The following description of various aspects of the disclosed staple cartridge and surgical suture device is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of a surgical suturing instrument based on one aspect of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a tool assembly of a surgical stapling instrument, showing a staple cartridge separate from the clamp of the tool assembly;

[0028] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an exploded perspective view of the staple cartridge of

[0029] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a magnified view of a detail area in

[0030] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled of

[0031] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an exploded front perspective view of the actuation sled of

[0032] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a top perspective view of the actuation sled of

[0033] Figure 8 is Figure 5 a bottom cross-sectional view of the actuation sled of

[0034] Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of another aspect of the actuation sled and spring;

[0035] Figure 10 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a drive member of a surgical stapling instrument;

[0036] Figure 11 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a drive member of a surgical stapling instrument, showing a groove on a working member of the drive member;

[0037] Figure 12 is

[0038] a top cutaway view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly; Figure 13 Figure 2 is

[0039] a side cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of Figure 14 Figure 13 is

[0040] a magnified view of a detail area in Figure 15is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly taken along section line 15-15 Figure 2

[0041] Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly in the approximating configuration with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position

[0042] Figure 17 is a close-up view of a detail area in Figure 16

[0043] Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly in the approximating configuration with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position Figure 16

[0044] Figure 19 is a close-up view of a detail area in Figure 18

[0045] Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly in the approximating configuration with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position Figure 16

[0046] Figure 21 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly in the approximating configuration with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position Figure 16

[0047] Figure 22 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly in the approximating configuration with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position Figure 21 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to a few views of the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects of the surgical stapling device are merely exemplary of the disclosure and can be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or structures have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the contribution of the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. It will be appreciated that any aspect of the disclosure can be expressed as a process, system, generation of instructions, or any combination of the three. Therefore, aspects can be embodied in a variety of forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, each feature or combination of features of the disclosure can take any form contemplated for the disclosure.

[0049] ​​​​​​​In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device closer to the clinician during use in its usual manner, while the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device further away from the clinician during use in its usual manner. Additionally, directional terms such as anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, superior, inferior, and superior are used to aid understanding of the description and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, surgeons, and support staff.

[0050] This disclosure relates to a surgical suturing device including a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a blade and an actuating slider. The blade is pivotally coupled to the actuating slider and includes a cutting edge capable of moving from a protected position to a cutting position in response to advance of a drive member of the surgical suturing device. The blade and the actuating slider form part of the staple cartridge and are replaced after each firing of the surgical suturing device to provide a staple cartridge with a sharp blade for each firing of the surgical suturing device.

[0051] Figure 1 A surgical suturing device, generally shown as a suturing device 10, is illustrated. This device includes a handle assembly 12, a shaft 14 extending from the handle assembly 12, and a tool assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is electrically powered and includes a fixed grip 18 and an actuation button 20. The actuation button 20 is operable for various functions of actuating the tool assembly 16 via the shaft 14, namely, bringing the tool assembly 16 closer to, and suturing and cutting tissue “T” (…). Figure 16 In some aspects of this disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports batteries (not shown) that provide power to the handle assembly 12 to operate the suture device 10. Although the suture device 10 is shown as an electrically powered suture device, it is contemplated that the advantages of this disclosure are suitable for use with both manually powered and robotically controlled suture devices. U.S. Patent No. 9,055,943 discloses a suture device including an electrically powered handle assembly, and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,865,361 and 6,241,139 disclose suture devices with manually actuated handle assemblies.

[0052] Shaft 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. The proximal portion 14a of shaft 14 is coupled to handle assembly 12. The distal portion 14b of shaft 14 is coupled to tool assembly 16.

[0053] Now for reference Figure 2 An exploded view of tool assembly 16 is shown. Tool assembly 16 includes a first clamp 30 and a second clamp 40, which are capable of being positioned relative to each other in a spaced-out configuration. Figure 15 ) and similar configurations (Figure 16 ) between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40, while the approximated configuration is configured to grasp the tissue “T” between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40. The tool assembly 16 is shown with a fixed first jaw 30 and a pivotable second jaw 40, and it is contemplated that the arrangement can be reversed, thereby providing a pivotable first jaw 30 and a fixed second jaw 40. The first jaw 30 includes an anvil 32 having staple-forming pockets (not shown). The second jaw 40 has a U-shaped channel 42 for releasably receiving a staple cartridge 100, which will be described in further detail below. The U-shaped channel 42 has a longitudinally extending passage 44 in a bottom surface thereof.

[0054] Figure 3 An exploded view of the staple cartridge 100 is illustrated. The staple cartridge 100 includes a shroud 102 for supporting a cartridge body 110, staple pushers 122 and associated staples 124, and an actuation sled 130. The shroud 102 has a slot 104 extending from a proximal end of the shroud 102 toward a distal end of the shroud 102. The cartridge body 110 has a central slot 112 extending along a tissue-contacting surface 120 of the cartridge body 110. The central slot 112 extends along a majority of a length of the cartridge body 110 between a proximal portion 110a and a distal portion 110b of the cartridge body 110. The central slot 112 divides the cartridge body 110 into a first portion 114 and a second portion 116. Each of the first portion 114 and the second portion 116 includes a plurality of rows of longitudinally extending staple-receiving pockets 118, wherein each staple-receiving pocket 118 is configured to receive one of the staple pushers 122 and one of the staples 124. The actuation sled 130 is linearly translatable through the cartridge body 110 between a retracted position (FIG. 6) and an advanced position (FIG. 7). Figure 16 Figure 21

[0055] Reference is now made to Figure 4 and Figure 5 ​​The actuation sled 130 has a base 132, a beveled cam wedge 144, a guide member 146, a knife 160, and a spring 180. The guide member 146 extends vertically and orthogonally from the base 132. The actuation sled 130 can include an optional keel 150 that extends from the base 132 in a direction opposite the guide member 146. The keel 150 is configured to stabilize the actuation sled 130 as it translates through the cartridge body 110, as will be further explained below. The cam wedge 144 is configured to interact with the staple pushers 122 such that linear translation of the actuation sled 130 toward the advanced position urges the staple pushers 122 vertically in the staple-receiving pockets 118 to eject the staples 124 from the staple-receiving pockets 118 toward the staple-forming pockets (not shown) on the anvil 32. Linear translation of the actuation sled 130 and its interaction with the staple pushers 122 causes the staples 124 to be ejected from the staple-receiving pockets 118 in sequence. The guide member 146 has an elongated slot 148 that extends vertically from the base 132 of the actuation sled 130. The knife 160 has a first pin 164 that is slidably and rotatably disposed in the elongated slot 148 of the guide member 146. The spring 180 includes a support portion 182 that is disposed in the recess 134 of the base 132 and a finger portion 186 that extends from the support portion 182 and is oriented such that a distal end of the finger portion faces the guide member 146 where the finger portion contacts a protrusion 166 of the knife 160. The finger portion 186 is elastically connected to the support portion 182 by an arcuate portion 188 such that a resting state of the finger portion 186 defines an acute angle relative to the support portion 182. This engagement between the finger portion 186 of the spring 180 and the protrusion 166 of the knife 160 biases the knife 160 to a retracted or guard position of the knife 160. With brief reference to Figure 6 and Figure 8 The support portion 182 includes tabs 190 and a protrusion 194. The tabs 190 are configured to fit into the notches 136 in the recess 134 and are disposed on distal ends of prongs 192 of the support portion 182 that define a gap between the tabs 190. The protrusion 194 is located between the prongs 192 and is axially spaced apart from the tabs 190. The protrusion 194 has a C-shaped portion that engages the ledge 138 of the actuation sled 130. The engagement of the protrusion 194 and the ledge 138 in combination with the tabs 190 disposed in the notches 136 of the recess 134 retain the spring 180 in the recess 134 of the actuation sled 130.

[0056] Turning now to Figure 6 and Figure 7, the knife 160 includes a leg 162, a tab 166, and an arm 168. The tab 166 extends from the leg 162 in a first direction, and the arm 168 extends from the leg 162 in a second direction opposite the first direction. The arm 168 has opposite first and second ends 168a, 168b. The first end 168a of the arm 168 is attached to the leg 162. The tab 166 has a hook shape, an end of which is configured to engage a finger 186 of the spring 180. The first pin 164 is disposed on and extends laterally from the leg 162. The blade 170 is attached to the second end 168b of the arm 168 and includes a second pin 172 that extends laterally from the arm 168 in the same direction as the first pin 164. The blade 170 extends orthogonally from the arm 168 and is configured to cut tissue “T”. Upon assembly, the finger 186 of the spring 180 is biased away from the base 132 of the actuation sled 130 and contacts the tab 166. This interaction causes the knife 160 to rotate in the first direction, as indicated by arrow “A”( Figure 13 ), to a retracted or guard position Figure 13 ). Rotation of the knife 160 in the guard position is limited by a position stop 140 located on a proximal end of the actuation sled 130. When the knife 160 is rotated in the first direction to the guard position, a portion of the arm 168 contacts the position stop 140, thereby inhibiting further rotation of the knife 160. In addition to being able to rotate in the elongated slot 148 of the guide member 146, the knife 160 is also able to be vertically repositioned in the elongated slot 148 via the first pin 164. In particular, as the knife 160 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrows “B”( Figure 18 and Figure 19 ), the leg 162 engages the arcuate cutting surface 152, which pushes the first pin 164 vertically in the elongated slot 148, thereby setting the vertical position of the knife 160. The elongated slot 148 is sized such that the first pin 164 is able to be limited in proximal and distal movement Figure 8 ) in the elongated slot 148 in addition to being able to rotate and be vertically repositioned in the elongated slot 148.

[0057] Briefly referring to Figure 9 , another aspect of the actuation sled 130’, the recess 134’, and the spring 180’ is shown. The support 182’ has a rectangular base 132’ with a central opening 184 such that the spring 180’ can be attached to the base 132’ of the actuation sled 130’ by heat staking the base 132’ of the support 182’ to the posts 142 on the base 132’ of the actuation sled 130’ rather than using the tabs 190 and the protrusions 194 to attach the spring 180’ to the actuation sled 130’.

[0058] Turning now to Figure 10 andFigure 11 The distal portion of the drive member 200 of the suture device 10 is shown. The drive member 200 is capable of being in the retracted position ( Figure 12 and Figure 16 ) and propulsion position ( Figure 21 The drive member 200 translates linearly through axis 14. The drive member 200 includes an elongated beam 202 terminating in the working member 210. It is conceivable that the elongated beam 202 may be formed from multiple layers or laminates and multiple beams. In all aspects of this disclosure, the working member 210 is welded to the beam 202. Alternatively, the working member 210 may be secured to the beam 202 using various different fixing techniques or devices. The working member 210 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first plate 212, a first wing 214a and a second wing 214b, and a vertical strut 216 connecting the first plate 212 to the first wing 214a and the second wing 214b. Opposite wings 214a, 214b extend laterally from the vertical strut 216. The vertical strut 216 has a distally facing cam surface 218. The first plate 212 also supports or forms a nose portion 220, which extends at an acute angle from the first plate 212 toward the first wing 214a and the second wing 214b. The nose portion 220 is configured to guide the tissue "T" directly toward the first wing 214a and the second wing 214b. Figure 20 Annex 222 extends longitudinally from the vertical support 216 and includes a recess 224. The recess 224 is angled relative to the vertical support 216 and has an open distal end 224a and a closed proximal end 224b. The recess 224 is configured to slidably receive a second pin 172 of the knife 160, as will be described in detail below.

[0059] like Figure 12 As shown, the drive member 200 is in the retracted position, and the blade 160 is in the protected position. The guide member 146 and the blade 170 are aligned with the central slot 112 of the housing. Therefore, during the translation of the actuating slider 130 and the drive member 200, the guide member 146 and the blade 170 translate along the central slot 112 of the housing 110.

[0060] Now for reference Figure 13 and Figure 14FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100, showing the cartridge body 110 in a retracted position, as defined by the actuation sled 130 being located at the proximal portion 110a of the cartridge body 110. In the retracted position, the knife 160 is in a guard position due to its rotation in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “A”, because the finger 186 of the spring 180 acts on a portion of the protrusion 166 of the knife 160, which causes the knife 160 to rotate about the first pin 164 located in the elongated slot 148 of the guide member 146. The rotation in the first direction is limited by the engagement of a portion of the arm 168 of the knife 160 with the position stop 140 on the actuation sled 130. In the guard position, the blade 170 is positioned below the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110, such that the blade does not contact the tissue “T” disposed on the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110. Figure 16 Additionally, the optional keel 150 of the actuation sled 130 extends through the slot 104 of the shroud 102 when in use and helps to guide the actuation sled 130 through the cartridge body 110 during linear translation and improves lateral stability of the actuation sled 130 during linear translation.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 2, Figure 2 and Figure 15 The first clamp 30 further includes a wave spring 46 located between the bottom surface of the U-shaped channel 42 and the bottom surface of the cartridge body 110. The wave spring 46 is compressible and applies a biasing force to the cartridge body 110 of the cartridge assembly 100. When the first clamp 30 and the second clamp 40 are in the approximated position, with the tissue “T” disposed between the anvil 32 and the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110, Figure 16 the wave spring 46 allows the cartridge body 110 of the cartridge assembly 100 to move vertically in the U-shaped channel 42 to account for different tissue thicknesses. Thus, thicker tissue between the anvil 32 and the cartridge body 110 compresses the wave spring 46 more than thinner tissue, thereby exerting a substantially constant or uniform pressure on the tissue captured between the anvil 32 and the cartridge body 110.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 3, Figures 16 to 22The operation of tool assembly 16 is illustrated. Tool assembly 16 is shown in an approach configuration, wherein tissue “T” is captured between anvil 32 and tissue contact surface 120 of chamber 110. Initially, drive member 200 and actuation slider 130 are in their retracted positions, and blade 160 is in a protected position. Further, a second pin 172 of blade 160 is slidably disposed at the open distal end 224a of groove 224 in working member 210. During actuation of suturing device 10, drive member 200 translates linearly through tool assembly 16 in a distal direction toward an advanced position. As drive member 200 and working member 210 translate distally through tool assembly 16, second pin 172 slides in groove 224 of working member 210 from open distal end 224a toward closed proximal end 224b. The second pin 172 slides from the open distal end 224a of the groove 224 to the closed proximal end 224b of the groove 224, overcoming the bias applied by the finger portion 186 of the spring 180, thereby causing the knife 160 to move along the arrow "B" ( Figure 18 and Figure 19 The blade 170 is rotated to the exposed or cutting position in the direction indicated by the blade 160. In the cutting position, the blade 170 is exposed and adapted to cut the tissue "T" positioned between the anvil 32 and the tissue contact surface 120 of the chamber 110. When the blade 160 is rotated to the cutting position, the blade 170 contacts the cam surface 218 and positions the blade 170 to cut the tissue "T". In some aspects of this disclosure, in the cutting position, the blade 170 ( Figure 20 The blade 170 is angled (not perpendicular) to an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly to perform a slicing action that facilitates more efficient cutting of tissue "T". The amount of contact between the blade 170 and the cam surface 218 of the drive member 200 varies depending on the amount of compression applied to the wave spring 46. When the cartridge assembly 100 is downward relative to the bottom surface of the shroud 102, this compresses the wave spring 46, and the contact between the blade 170 and the cam surface 218 is minimal. Conversely, when the cartridge assembly 100 is upward relative to the bottom surface of the shroud 102, this allows the wave spring 46 to become decompressed, and the blade 170 rests on the cam surface 218, thereby supporting the blade 170. Figure 18As shown, the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40 of the tool assembly 16 are in the approximating configuration with tissue "T" captured therebetween, and the drive member 200 is translated in the direction indicated by arrow "C" such that the knife 160 is rotated to the cutting position as the actuation sled 130 is translated distally with the drive member 200. The distal end of the working member 210 contacts the proximal end of the actuation sled 130 and pushes the actuation sled 130 distally through the cartridge body 110. During the distal translation of the working member 210 and the actuation sled 130, the tissue "T" disposed between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40 of the tool assembly 16 contacts the nose 220 of the working member 210 and is directed toward the blade 170, thereby improving the cutting of the tissue "T" by the blade 170. After the drive member 200 and the actuation sled 130 reach their advanced positions Figure 21 ), the drive member 200 begins to translate proximally toward the retracted position as indicated by arrow "D" through the cartridge body 110 while the actuation sled 130 remains in the advanced position in the distal portion 110b of the cartridge body 110. As the drive member 200 translates toward the retracted position Figure 16 ), the second pin 172 slides from the closed proximal end 224b of the groove 224 to the open distal end 224a of the groove 224, thereby rotating the knife 160 in the first direction as indicated by arrow "A" to the guard position Figure 22 ). The finger 186 moves in the direction indicated by arrow "E" such that the finger 186 contacts the protrusion 166 of the knife 160, thereby maintaining the knife 160 in the guard position due to the biasing force of the finger 186 applied in the direction indicated by arrow "E". With the knife 160 in the guard position, the cartridge body 110 can be safely removed from the U-shaped channel 42 of the second jaw 40. Additionally, since the actuation sled 130 and the knife 160 remain in the distal portion 110b of the cartridge body 110 after the actuation sequence, the cartridge body 110 and the knife 160 are used only once before being discarded. Additionally, if a partial actuation sequence is used, the proximal movement of the drive member 200 will decouple the drive member 200 from the actuation sled 130, as previously described. Thus, whether a partial actuation or a full actuation is implemented, the proximal movement of the drive member 200 will decouple the drive member 200 from the actuation sled 130, thereby translating the knife 160 to the guard position as described above.

[0063] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is contemplated that elements and features of one exemplary embodiment can be combined with elements and features of another exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Similarly, further features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the above description of various aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as outlined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising: a cartridge body having a central slot extending along a length of the cartridge body; an actuation sled comprising a body having a base, the body having: a guide member comprising a slot, the guide member and slot extending from the base in an orientation transverse to the base, ramped camming wedges disposed on opposite sides of the guide member and recesses in the base, and a spring comprising a support portion and a finger portion elastically coupled to the support portion; and a knife comprising a foot, an arm and a tab, the arm and the tab extending from the foot in opposite directions, the foot having a first pin disposed in the slot such that the pin can slide in the slot and the knife can rotate relative to the guide member, the arm comprising a second pin and a blade, the second pin being engageable with a groove of a drive member, and the tab engaging the finger portion such that the finger portion biases the tab in a first direction, thereby urging the arm in the first direction and defining a guard position of the knife.

2. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, translation of the drive member from a retracted position toward an advanced position causes the second pin to slide from a distal position of the groove toward a proximal position of the groove, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite the first direction.

3. The cartridge of Claim 2, wherein, translation of the drive member toward the advanced position overcomes the bias of the finger portion such that the knife rotates in the second direction toward a cutting position in which the blade is angled relative to an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

4. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, the drive member comprises a nose portion defining an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge and configured to urge tissue toward the blade.

5. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, the cartridge body further comprises staples disposed in a corresponding number of staple-receiving pockets.

6. The cartridge of Claim 5, further comprising a pusher positioned within the staple-receiving recess and supporting the staples, wherein, the ramped camming wedges are movable into engagement with the pusher to eject the staples from the staple-receiving pockets.

7. The cartridge of Claim 2, wherein, translation of the drive member from the advanced position toward the retracted position causes the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position toward the distal position.

8. The cartridge of Claim 7, wherein, translation of the drive member from the advanced position toward the retracted position separates the actuation sled from the drive member, thereby rotating the knife in the first direction to the guard position.

9. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle; a reload assembly coupled to the shaft, the reload assembly comprising a drive member and a work member, the drive member being translatable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the work member being disposed at a distal end of the drive member; and a tool assembly coupled to the reload assembly, the tool assembly comprising an anvil and a cartridge assembly, the anvil and the cartridge assembly being pivotable relative to one another between an open configuration and a clamped configuration, the cartridge assembly comprising a receiver and a staple cartridge disposed in the receiver, the staple cartridge having: a cartridge body comprising a central slot, an actuation sled comprising a body and a base, a guide member comprising an elongated slot, the guide member and the elongated slot extending transverse to the base, a spring having a support portion and a finger portion elastically extending from the support portion, the support portion disposed in a recess of the base, and a knife having a foot, an arm and a tab, the arm and tab extending in opposite directions from the foot, the foot comprising a first pin disposed in the slot such that the knife is rotatable relative to the guide member, the arm comprising a blade and a second pin engageable with a groove in the working member, the tab engaging the finger portion such that the finger portion biases the tab in a first direction to thereby urge the arm in the first direction and define a guard position of the knife, the knife being transitionable to a cutting position as the drive member translates from the retracted position toward the advanced position.

10. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 9, wherein, translation of the drive member from the retracted position toward the advanced position causes the second pin to slide from a distal position of the groove toward a proximal position of the groove to thereby rotate the knife in a second direction opposite the first direction.

11. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 10, wherein, translation of the drive member toward the advanced position overcomes the bias of the finger portion such that the knife rotates in the second direction toward an exposed position.

12. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 9, wherein, the working member comprises a nose portion defining an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge and configured to urge tissue toward the blade.

13. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 9, wherein, the cartridge body further comprises staples disposed in a corresponding number of staple-receiving pockets.

14. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 13, further comprising a pusher positioned within the staple-receiving pocket and supporting the staple, wherein, an angled wedge is movable into engagement with the pusher to eject the staples from the staple-receiving pockets.

15. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 10, wherein, translation of the drive member toward the retracted position causes the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position toward the distal position.

16. The surgical stapling instrument of Claim 15, wherein, translation of the drive member toward the retracted position separates the actuation sled from the working member to thereby rotate the knife in the first direction to the guard position.

17. A tool assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument, the tool assembly comprising: an anvil; and a cartridge assembly, the anvil and cartridge assembly being pivotable relative to one another between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising: a receiver, a cartridge body comprising a central slot, an actuation sled translatable in the cartridge body, the actuation sled comprising a base having a recess, a guide member extending from the base, the guide member comprising an elongated slot transverse to the base, a spring coupled to the base, the spring comprising a resilient finger portion, and a knife having a foot, an arm, and a protrusion, the foot including a first pin positioned in the elongated slot such that the knife can pivot relative to the guide member, the arm including a blade and a second pin that can slidably engage with a groove of a drive member, and the protrusion operatively coupled with the resilient finger such that the resilient finger biases the protrusion in a first direction and defines a guard position of the knife, the knife can transition to a cutting position as the drive member linearly translates through the cartridge body from a retracted position toward an advanced position, wherein the second pin slides in the groove at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.

18. The tool assembly of claim 17, wherein, The translation of the drive member from the retracted position toward the advanced position causes the second pin to slide in the groove from a distal position of the groove toward a proximal position of the groove, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite the first direction.

19. The tool assembly of claim 17, wherein, The drive member includes a nose that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis and is configured to push tissue toward the blade.

20. The tool assembly of claim 17, wherein, The translation of the drive member from the advanced position toward the retracted position causes the second pin to slide in the groove from the proximal position toward the distal position and separates the actuation sled from the drive member, the finger biases the protrusion in the first direction, thereby rotating the knife in the first direction to the guard position.

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