Staple cartridge with movable blade

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a cartridge assembly having an exchangeable staple cartridge. The replaceable staple cartridge includes an actuation slide assembly that includes an actuation slide and a knife. The blade is supported on the actuation slide for linear movement between a lowered position and a raised position.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 453,558, filed March 21, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present technology relates generally to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly, to surgical stapling devices including a knife assembly. BACKGROUND

[0003] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are commonly used to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery time during surgical procedures. Typically, an endoscopic surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly 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 coupled to one another by a pivot member and movable relative to one another between an open position and a clamped position in response to movement of the drive assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge including a cartridge body supporting staples and an actuation sled movable through the cartridge body to eject the staples from the cartridge body in response to movement of the drive assembly from the retracted position and the advanced position.

[0004] Some surgical stapling devices include a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the surgical stapling device to facilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device. Other surgical stapling devices include a reload assembly including a staple cartridge and a drive assembly that can be replaced after each firing of the surgical stapling device to facilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device. The use of a reload assembly provides a new cutting blade for each firing of the surgical stapling device to maintain cutting quality. The use of a replaceable staple cartridge reduces costs associated with surgical procedures but generally requires reuse of the cutting blade. Reusing the same cutting blade can cause the cutting blade to dull, thereby reducing cutting quality.

[0005] There remains a need for a surgical stapling device that can provide a sharp cutting blade at an economical cost through multiple firings of the surgical stapling device. SUMMARY

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a surgical stapling device including a drive assembly and a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly with a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes an actuation sled assembly having an actuation sled and a knife supported on the actuation sled for linear movement between a lowered position and a raised position. The drive assembly and the knife are configured to move the knife between the raised position and the lowered position as the drive assembly moves from a retracted position toward an advanced position.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tool assembly for a surgical stapling device, the tool assembly having a drive assembly, an anvil, and a cartridge assembly. The drive assembly has an I-shaped shaped working member that includes a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical post that defines a cam slot connecting the first beam with the second beam. The drive assembly is movable between a drive retracted position and a drive advanced position. The cartridge assembly includes a channel defining a cavity, a compliant member, and a staple cartridge releasably received within the cavity of the channel. The compliant member is positioned between the staple cartridge and the channel to facilitate movement of the staple cartridge within the cavity between a cartridge raised position and a cartridge lowered position. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot. The staples are received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body. The actuation sled assembly is movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position and includes an actuation sled and a knife. The actuation sled has a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion. The central body portion of the actuation sled defines a linear guide channel that defines an axis that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly. The knife is supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The knife includes a cutting blade, cam members, and a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled. The cam members are received within the cam slot of the vertical post of the working member of the drive assembly as the drive assembly moves from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position to move the knife from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0008] In aspects of the present disclosure, the knife support stop and the actuation sled include a seat that engages the stop to retain the knife in the lowered position when the knife is in the lowered position.

[0009] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the actuation sled includes a resilient arm and the seat is supported on the resilient arm to facilitate movement of the seat from a first position to a second position to allow the knife to move between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0010] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the central body portion of the actuation sled is movable through the knife slot of the cartridge body.

[0011] In aspects of the present disclosure, the staple cartridge further includes a staple guard that is secured to a bottom portion of the cartridge body and has a bottom wall that engages the base portion of the actuation sled.

[0012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the bottom wall of the staple guard includes a resilient tab, and the base portion of the actuation sled defines a recess, and the resilient tab of the staple guard is received within the recess of the actuation sled when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled advanced position to retain the actuation sled assembly in the sled advanced position.

[0013] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the cam slot is configured to move the knife from the raised position to the lowered position when the drive assembly is moved from the drive advanced position back to the drive retracted position.

[0014] In aspects of the present disclosure, the base portion of the actuation sled defines a proximal cutout configured to receive the working member of the drive assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

[0015] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cam member of the knife is positioned over the cutout when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled retracted position.

[0016] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the vertical post of the working member includes a distal surface defining a recess, and the cutting blade is at least partially received within the recess during movement of the drive assembly from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

[0017] In aspects of the present disclosure, the knife includes a central portion defining a cavity, and the actuation sled includes spaced apart vertical walls received within the cavity of the central portion of the knife to constrain the knife to linear movement when the knife is moved between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0018] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the vertical post includes a first cam surface positioned on a first side of the cam slot and a second cam surface positioned on a second side of the cam slot, and the first and second cam surfaces are configured to guide the cam member of the knife into the cam slot.

[0019] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the first cam surface is positioned to engage the cam member when the staple cartridge is positioned in the cartridge lowered position within the cavity of the channel, and the second cam surface is positioned to engage the cam member when the staple cartridge is positioned in the cartridge raised position within the cavity of the channel.

[0020] Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a surgical stapling device comprising a handle assembly, an elongate body, a drive assembly, and a tool assembly. The elongate body has a proximal portion coupled to the handle assembly and a distal portion. The drive assembly is at least partially received within the elongate body and comprises a working member. The working member has an I-shape and comprises a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical strut defining a cam slot connecting the first beam with the second beam. The drive assembly is movable between a drive retracted position and a drive advanced position. The tool assembly is supported on the distal portion of the elongate body and defines a longitudinal axis. The tool assembly comprises an anvil and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly comprises a channel defining a cavity and a staple cartridge releasably received within the cavity of the channel. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot. The staples are received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body. The actuation sled assembly is movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The actuation sled assembly comprises an actuation sled and a knife. The actuation sled has a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion. The central body portion of the actuation sled defines a linear guide channel defining an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly. The knife is supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The knife comprises a cutting blade, cam members, and a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled. The cam members are received within the cam slot of the vertical strut of the working member of the drive assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position to move the knife from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0021] Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot.

[0022] The staples are received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body and the actuation sled assembly is movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body of the staple cartridge. The actuation sled assembly comprises an actuation sled and a knife. The actuation sled has a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion. The central body portion of the actuation sled defines a linear guide channel having an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly. The knife is supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The knife comprises a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled, a cutting blade, and cam members positioned on a proximal portion of the knife.

[0023] Other features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, wherein a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device is in an open position, a pre-fired position;

[0026] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in Figure 1

[0027] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a staple cartridge of the tool assembly shown in Figure 2

[0028] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of an actuation sled assembly of the staple cartridge shown in Figure 3

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a proximal end of the actuation sled assembly shown in Figure 4

[0030] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the actuation sled assembly shown in Figure 5

[0031] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of Figure 6

[0032] Figure 8 is a side perspective view of a knife of the actuation sled assembly shown in Figure 6

[0033] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of Figure 5

[0034] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a proximal end of the staple cartridge shown in Figure 2

[0035] Figure 11 is a side perspective view of a drive assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in Figure 1

[0036] is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of Figure 12 Figure 1 ​​​​​​​​​​A cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the elongated body of the surgical suture device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suture device is in an unclamped, pre-firing position.

[0037] Figure 13 Is it through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the elongated body of the surgical suture device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suture device is in a clamped, pre-firing position.

[0038] Figure 14 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the proximal end of the actuated slider assembly shown, with the blade in the raised position;

[0039] Figure 15 It is along Figure 14 The cross-sectional view taken by section line 15-15;

[0040] Figure 16 Is it through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the elongated body of the surgical suture device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suture device is in a clamped, pre-firing position.

[0041] Figure 17 Is it through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the elongated body of the surgical suturing device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suturing device is in a clamped firing position and the drive assembly is in an advancing position.

[0042] Figure 18 Is it through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the tool assembly of the surgical suture device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suture device is in a clamped firing position when the drive assembly begins to return from the advance position toward the retraction position;

[0043] Figure 19 Is it through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the elongated body of the surgical suturing device shown, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical suturing device is in the clamped firing position and the drive assembly is in the retracted position.

[0044] Figure 20 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of an alternative version of the tool assembly of the surgical suture device shown;

[0045] Figure 21 yes Figure 1 The drive assembly of the suture device shown and Figure 20exploded side perspective view of an alternative version of the actuation sled assembly of the tool assembly shown;

[0046] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 20 the proximal portion of the tool assembly shown and Figure 21 the distal portion of the drive assembly shown, with the tool assembly in the clamped position and the staple cartridge in the raised position within the channel of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly;

[0047] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 22 sectional line 23-23 of FIG. 23;

[0048] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 20 the proximal portion of the tool assembly shown and Figure 21 the distal portion of the drive assembly shown, with the tool assembly in the clamped position and the staple cartridge in the lowered position within the channel of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly; and

[0049] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 22 sectional line 25-25 of FIG. 25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that each of the aspects of the present disclosure of a surgical stapling device are merely exemplary and can be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. 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.

[0051] In this specification, the term "proximal" is used to refer generally to the portion of the device closer to the clinician during use of the device in its customary manner, while the term "distal" is used to refer generally to the portion of the device further from the clinician during use of the device in its customary manner. In addition, directional terms such as anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, top, bottom, and the like are used for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, the term "clinician" is used to refer generally to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and support staff.

[0052] The present disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device that includes a drive assembly and a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly with a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has an actuation sled assembly that includes an actuation sled and a knife supported on the actuation sled for linear movement between a lowered position and a raised position. The drive assembly and the knife are configured to move the knife between the raised position and the lowered position as the drive assembly moves from a retracted position toward an advanced position.

[0053] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A surgical stapling device, shown generally as stapling device 10, is shown that includes handle assembly 12, adapter assembly 14, and tool assembly 16. Handle assembly 12 is powered and includes fixed grip 18 and one or more actuation buttons 19. Actuation buttons 19 are operable to actuate various functions of tool assembly 16 via adapter assembly 14, i.e., access of tool assembly 16, and stapling and cutting of tissue. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, handle assembly 12 supports a battery (not shown) that provides power to handle assembly 12 to operate stapling device 10. Although stapling device 10 is shown as a powered stapling device, it is contemplated that the advantages of the present disclosure are suitable for use with manually driven surgical stapling devices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Patent No. 5,865,361 describes a stapling device that includes exemplary aspects of a manually driven stapling device.

[0054] Adapter assembly 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. Proximal portion 14a of adapter assembly 14 is coupled to handle assembly 12, and distal portion 14b of adapter assembly 14 supports tool assembly 16. In aspects of the present disclosure, tool assembly 16 is pivotably coupled to distal portion 14b of adapter assembly to facilitate articulation of tool assembly 16 relative to adapter assembly 14.

[0055] Tool assembly 16 contains anvil 20 and cartridge assembly 22. In aspects of the present disclosure, cartridge assembly 22 is pivotably supported relative to anvil 20 to facilitate movement of tool assembly 16 between an undamped position Figure 1 ) and a clamped position Figure 13 ).

[0056] Figure 2 Cartridge assembly 22 is shown that includes channel member 26 and staple cartridge 28. Channel member 26 includes sidewalls 30 and a bottom wall 32 that define a cavity 34. Staple cartridge 28 is removably received within cavity 34 of channel member 26 and is replaceable to facilitate reuse of stapling device 10. Each of sidewalls 30 of channel member 26 has an upper end that defines a recess 36.

[0057] Figure 3A staple cartridge 28 is shown, comprising a cartridge body 38, an actuating slider assembly 40, staples 42, a pusher 44, and a staple guard 46. The cartridge body 38 defines a blade slot 48 and staple receiving recesses 50 positioned on each side of the blade slot 48. In various aspects of this disclosure, the staple receiving recesses 50 are aligned in two or more rows on opposite sides of the blade slot 48. In various aspects of this disclosure, the blade slot 48 is centrally located within the cartridge body 38. However, it is conceivable that the blade slot 48 may be offset from the central axis of the cartridge body 38.

[0058] The main body 38 includes a laterally extending protrusion 51 (only one shown), which is received in the recess 36 of the channel member 26. Figure 2 The cartridge 28 is properly positioned within the cavity 34 of the channel member 26. The nail 42 and pusher 44 are received within the nail receiving recess 50 of the cartridge body 38, and the nail guard 46 is secured to the bottom of the cartridge body 38 to retain the nail 42 and pusher 44 within the cartridge body 38. An actuating slider assembly 40 is capable of moving through the cartridge body 38 from a retracted position to an advanced position and includes an actuating slider 52 having angled inner cam members 54a and outer cam members 54b. The cam members 54a, 54b have angled cam surfaces 55 positioned to sequentially engage the pusher 44 as the actuating slider 52 moves through the cartridge body 38, lifting the pusher 44 into the nail receiving recess 50 and ejecting the nail 42 from the cartridge body 38.

[0059] Figure 4 to Figure 9 An actuated slider assembly 40 is shown, which includes an actuated slider 52 and a blade 56. The actuated slider 52 includes cam members 54a and 54b, a central body portion 58, and fins 59. The cam members 54a and 54b are positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion 58, and each fin of the fins 59 is longitudinally aligned and positioned proximal to one of the cam members in the inner cam member 54a.

[0060] The actuating slider 52 includes a base portion 61, which is supported on the bottom wall 46a of the nail guard 46 and defines a cutout 61a. Figure 5 The central body portion 58 and cam members 54a, 54b extend upward from the base portion 61 of the actuating slider 52, wherein the central body portion 58 is positioned between the inner cam members 54a. When the actuating slider assembly 40 moves within the chamber body 38 from a retracted position to an advanced position, the central body portion 58 is received within the knife slot 48 of the chamber body 38. The central body portion 58 defines a guide channel 60. Figure 6), and includes a lip 62 that extends partially over the guide channel 60. The central body portion 58 also includes a resilient arm 66 that supports a cradle 68. In aspects of the present disclosure, the resilient arm 66 is integrally formed with the central body portion 58 and is cantilevered supported on the central body portion 58 to facilitate inward and outward movement of the cradle 68. In aspects of the present disclosure, the central body portion 58 includes spaced apart vertical walls 70 that are positioned proximal to the guide channel 60 and spaced apart from one another to define a recess 72. The resilient arm 66 is received within the recess 72 and is movable between a first position extending from the recess 72 and a second position positioned within the recess 72.

[0061] The knife 56 includes a body 76 having a distal portion 78, a distal portion 80, and a central portion 82. The distal portion 80 of the knife 56 is received within the guide channel 60 of the actuation sled 52 and includes a distal flange 84 that is engaged by the lip 62 of the central body portion 58 of the actuation sled 52 to retain the distal portion 80 of the knife 56 within the guide channel 60. The guide channel 60 of the actuation sled 52 and the distal portion 80 of the knife 56 are configured and dimensioned to facilitate vertical movement of the knife 56 relative to the actuation sled 52 between a lowered position and a raised position, as described in further detail below.

[0062] The proximal portion 78 of the knife 56 includes a cutting blade 88 and a cam member 90. The cutting blade 88 forms an upper section of the proximal portion 78 of the knife 56 and includes a distally facing cutting edge 92. The cam member 90 is positioned on a lower section of the proximal portion 78 of the knife 56 and includes an elongated angled protrusion 94. It is contemplated that the protrusion 94 of the cam member 90 can have various configurations, including a circular configuration. In aspects of the present disclosure, the proximal portion 78 is cantilevered supported on the central portion 82 of the knife 56. The proximal portion 78 of the knife 56 defines a cavity 96 that is positioned between the cutting blade 88 and the cam member 90.

[0063] The central portion 82 of the knife 56 extends between a proximal wall 100( Figure 8 ) of the distal portion 80 of the knife 56 and a distal wall 102 of the proximal portion 78 of the knife 56. The proximal wall 100, the distal wall 102, and the central portion 82 define a cavity 104 that receives the spaced apart vertical walls 70 of the actuation sled 52 when the distal portion 80 of the knife 56 is received in the guide channel 60 of the actuation sled 52. When the spaced apart vertical walls 70 of the actuation sled 52 are received within the cavity 104 of the knife 56, the distal wall 102 of the proximal portion 78 of the knife 56 is in sliding engagement with a distal surface of one of the vertical walls 70 of the actuation sled 52 and the proximal wall 100( Figure 8) with the proximal surface of the other one of the vertical walls 70 of the actuation sled 52. The central portion 82 of the knife 56 includes a stop 108 that projects into the cavity 104 of the knife 56.

[0064] Figure 10 A proximal portion of the cartridge 28 is shown with the actuation sled assembly 40 in a retracted position within the cartridge body 38. As shown, the cam member 90 of the knife 56 is positioned in the proximal end of the knife slot 48 of the cartridge body 38. In this position, the abutment 68 on the resilient arm 66 of the actuation sled 52 is engaged with the stop 108 on the central portion 82 of the knife 56 to retain the knife 56 in a lowered position, the central body portion 58 of the actuation sled 52 is received in the knife slot 48 of the cartridge body 38, and the fin 59 is received in the channel 112 of the cartridge body 38.

[0065] Figure 11 A distal portion of the drive assembly 120 of the stapling device 10 Figure 1 ) is shown including a flexible drive beam 122 and a working member 124. The flexible drive beam 122 includes a stack of sheets of material that are fixed at their distal ends to the working member 124. The working member 124 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 126, a second beam 128, and a vertical strut 130 that fixes the first beam 126 and the second beam 128 together at a fixed distance from one another. The vertical strut 130 has a sidewall 132 that defines a cam slot 134 and a distal surface 136 that includes an angled portion 136a that is angled upwardly and proximally at a location between the cam slot 134 and the first beam 126 to define a recess 138 between the first beam 126 and the angled portion 136a. The drive assembly 120 is movable through the cartridge body 38 from a retracted position to an advanced position to advance the actuation sled assembly 40 through the cartridge body 38 from its retracted position to its advanced position. As the drive assembly 120 is moved through the cartridge body 38, the vertical strut 130 of the working member 124 is moved through the knife slot 48 of the cartridge body 38 and the first beam 126 and the second beam 128 engage the anvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22, respectively, to move the tool assembly 16 from an unclamped position to a clamped position and to maintain a maximum tissue gap between the anvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22.

[0066] Figure 12The proximal portion of the tool assembly 16 in the unclamped position is shown. When the tool assembly 16 is in the unclamped position, the cartridge assembly 22 pivots away from the anvil 20, and the actuating slider assembly 40 is in its retracted position within the proximal portion of the cartridge body 38 of the cartridge assembly 22. The drive assembly 120 is also positioned in its retracted position, spaced proximally from the cartridge assembly 22, and the first beam 126 of the drive assembly 120 is partially received within a channel 140 defined within the anvil 20. The cam member 90 of the blade 56 is positioned at the proximal end of the cartridge assembly 22, adjacent to the cam slot 134 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120, and the blade 56 is in a lowered position.

[0067] Figure 13 to Figure 16 The stitching device 10 is shown when the tool assembly 16 moves to the clamping position. Figure 1 Tool component 16. When driver component 120 is in the process of being driven by... Figure 13 As the arrow "A" indicates the direction from its retracted position to its advancing position, the bend 142 in the channel 26 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120 engages the second beam 128 of the engagement chamber assembly 22. Figure 13 ), and pivots the chamber assembly 22 relative to the anvil 20 to the clamping position, and moves the working member 124 to the cutout 61a defined in the base portion 61 of the actuating slide 52. Figure 14 In the case of the chamber assembly, when the chamber assembly pivots relative to the anvil 20 toward the clamping position, the cam member 190 of the blade 56 is received in the cam slot 134 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120, and cams upward in the cam slot 134 in the direction indicated by arrow "B" to raise the blade 56 from the lowered position to the raised position in the direction indicated by arrow "C". In the raised position of the blade 56, the cutting edge 92 of the blade 56 extends from the blade slot 48 of the chamber body 38 across the tissue gap "G" defined between the anvil 20 and the chamber assembly 22, and the proximal portion of the cutting blade 88 of the blade 52 is received in the recess 138 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120. When the blade 56 moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the stop 108 on the central portion 82 of the blade 56 engages the support 68 on the elastic arm 66 of the actuating slider 52, and in the case of the blade 56, the blade 56 moves from the lowered position to the raised position. Figure 15 Push the support 68 in the direction indicated by the arrow "D" to allow the cutter 56 to move upward through the support 68 to reach the raised position.

[0068] Figure 17 The stitching device 10 is shown when the drive assembly 120 moves from its clamping position to its advancing position in the direction indicated by arrow "E" to fire the tool assembly 16. Figure 1The drive assembly 120. When the drive assembly 120 moves toward its advancing position, the distal surface 136 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120, which is adjacent to the blade 56, advances the actuating slider assembly 40 toward its advancing position to eject the nail 42 from the cartridge body 38 and cut the tissue held between the anvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22. In various aspects of this disclosure, the bottom wall 46a of the nail guard 46 includes an elastic tab 150. Figure 3 The elastic tab 150 extends upward from the bottom wall 46a into the path of the actuating slider assembly 40. The elastic tab 150 is cantilevered on the bottom wall 46a at its proximal end. As the actuating slider 52 passes the elastic tab 150, the elastic tab 150 deforms downward and subsequently engages in a recess 152 formed on the bottom of the actuating slider 52. When the tab 150 is received in the recess 152 of the actuating slider 52, it prevents proximal movement of the actuating slider assembly 40 within the compartment body 38 of the compartment assembly 22.

[0069] Figure 18 and Figure 19 The diagram shows the suture device 10 moving from the advance position to the retracted position in the direction indicated by arrow "F" after the drive assembly 120 has been fired. Figure 1 The tool assembly 16. When the drive assembly 120 retracts after firing, the actuation slider assembly 40 is held in its advanced position by the tab 150 on the nail guard 46. Thus, the drive assembly 120 moves independently of the actuation slider 52 from the advanced position toward the retracted position, causing the cam slot 134 of the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120 to move relative to the cam member 90 of the cutter 56. This movement causes the cutter 56 to... Figure 19 The cam moves downward in the direction indicated by the middle arrow "G" to move the blade 56 from the raised position back to the lowered position and disengage the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120 from the actuating slider assembly 40. As described above, the blade 56 is held in the lowered position by the engagement of the stop 108 on the center portion 82 of the blade 56 with the support 68 on the elastic arm 66 of the actuating slider 52.

[0070] Figure 20 to Figure 25 The suture device 10 is shown. Figure 1 ) tool components 16 ( Figure 2 An alternative version of ), which is generally shown as tool component 216. Tool component 216 is similar to tool component 16 ( Figure 2 The device includes an anvil 220 and a cartridge assembly 222. The cartridge assembly 222 includes a channel member 226 and a staple cartridge 228. The channel member 226 includes a sidewall 230 and a bottom wall 232 defining a cavity 234. The staple cartridge 228 is removably received within the cavity 234 of the channel member 226 and is replaceable to facilitate the reuse of the suturing device 10.Figure 1 Each of the side walls 230 of the channel member 226 has an upper end that defines a recess 236.

[0071] The staple cartridge 228 is identical to the staple cartridge 28 except for minor modifications to the actuation sled 240 described below. As described above with respect to the staple cartridge 28 ( Figure 3 ) the staple cartridge 228 comprises a cartridge body 238 that defines a knife slot 248 and staple-receiving pockets 250 located on either side of the knife slot 248. The cartridge body 38 includes laterally extending tabs 251 (only one shown) that are received within the recesses 236 ( Figure 2 ) of the channel member 226 to properly position the staple cartridge 228 within the cavity 234 of the channel member 226. The staple cartridge 228 further comprises a staple guard 246 that is secured to the bottom of the cartridge body 238 to retain the staples and pushers (not shown) within the cartridge body 238 during shipping and handling of the staple cartridge 228.

[0072] The tool assembly 216 differs from the tool assembly 16 ( Figure 2 ) in that the tool assembly 216 comprises a compliant member 242 which can be in the form of a wave spring and is secured to the bottom wall 232 of the channel member 234 to support the staple cartridge 228 within the cavity 234 of the channel member 226. The compliant member 236 is compressible to facilitate movement of the staple cartridge 228 within the cavity 234 of the channel member 226 relative to the anvil 220 between the cartridge raised position and the cartridge lowered position to accommodate different tissue thicknesses. The compliant member 242 can be formed from a variety of different compliant materials and functions to allow the staple cartridge 228 to float within the cavity 234 of the channel such that the tissue gap defined between the tissue engaging surface 220a of the anvil 220 and the tissue engaging surface 254 of the staple cartridge 228 of the cartridge assembly 222 can vary when the tool assembly 216 is in the clamped position and / or being fired to compensate for different tissue thicknesses. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the compliant member 242 is positioned along opposite sides of the knife slot 248 defined in the bottom wall 232 of the channel member 226. Although illustrated as a wave spring, the compliant member 242 can be formed from a compressible pad or the like.

[0073] The actuation sled assembly 240 of the staple cartridge 228 is similar to the actuation sled assembly 40 ( Figure 5 ) and comprises an actuation sled 252 and a knife 256 that is supported on the actuation sled 252 and is movable along a linear path between a lowered position and a raised position. The actuation sled 252 differs from the actuation sled 52 ( Figure 6 ) in that the cam member 290 has a circular configuration. The cam member 290 is cantilevered supported on the proximal end of the proximal portion 278 of the knife 256.

[0074] Figure 21 A distal portion of an alternative version of the drive assembly 120( Figure 11 ) of the stapling device 10 is shown, which is generally designated as drive assembly 320, which includes a flexible drive beam 322 and a working member 324. The flexible drive beam 322 includes a stack of sheets of material that are fixed at their distal ends to the working member 324. The working member 324 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 326, a second beam 328, and a vertical strut 330 that fixes the first beam 326 and the second beam 328 together at a fixed distance from one another. The vertical strut 330 has a sidewall 332 that defines a cam slot 334 and a distal surface 336 that includes an angled portion 336a that is angled upward and proximally at a location between the cam slot 334 and the first beam 326 to define a recess 338 between the first beam 326 and the angled portion 336a. The drive assembly 320 is movable through the cartridge body 238 from a drive retracted position to a drive advanced position to advance the actuation sled assembly 240 through the cartridge body 238 from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position. As the drive assembly 320 moves through the cartridge body 238, the vertical strut 330 of the working member 324 moves through the knife slot 348 of the cartridge body 338 and the first beam 326 and the second beam 328 engage the anvil 320 and the cartridge assembly 322, respectively, to move the tool assembly 316 from an unclamped position to a clamped position. The upper beam 326 and the lower beam 328 engage the anvil 220 and the passage 226 of the cartridge assembly 222 to set a maximum tissue gap between the tissue engagement surface 220a of the anvil 220 and the tissue engagement surface 254 of the staple cartridge 228 of the cartridge assembly 22.

[0075] The working member 324 of the drive assembly 320 differs from the working member 124( Figure 11 ) in that the working member 324 is configured to guide the cam member 290 of the knife 256 into the cam slot 334 when the knife 256 is in both the cartridge lowered position and the cartridge raised position or any position between the cartridge raised position and the cartridge lowered position. More specifically, the vertical strut 330 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320 includes a first cam surface 350 and a second cam surface 352. The first cam surface 350 is positioned below the cam slot 334, distal of the second beam 328, and contiguous with the surface of the vertical strut 332 that defines one side of the cam slot 334. The second cam surface 352 is positioned above the cam slot 334 and angled downward toward the cam slot 334 in the proximal direction.

[0076] Figure 22 and Figure 23The tool assembly 216 is shown in the clamped position, wherein the staple cartridge 228 is in the cavity 234 of the channel 226 of the cartridge assembly 222. Figure 20 The internal position is in the raised position. As mentioned above regarding the actuating sliding element 52 ( Figure 7 ) and Knife 56 ( Figure 8 As described, the actuating slider 252 includes a central body portion 258 with a resilient arm 266 having a support 268, and the blade 256 includes a central portion 282 with a stop 308. In various aspects of this disclosure, the resilient arm 266 is integrally formed with the central body portion 258 of the actuating slider 252 and is cantilevered on the central body portion 258 to facilitate inward and outward movement of the support 268. In the clamped position, the stop 308 of the blade 256 is positioned below the support 268 of the actuating slider 252 to hold the blade in a lowered position. When the staple cartridge 228 is in the raised position within the channel 226 of the cartridge assembly 222 (… Figure 22 and Figure 23 For example, when a thin tissue is held between the staple cartridge 228 and the anvil 220, the blade 256 is in a first lowered position relative to the actuating slider 252. In the first lowered position, the cam member 290 of the blade 256 engages with the second cam surface 352 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320, and the stop portion 308 of the blade 256 is positioned slightly below the support 268 of the actuating slider 252. As the drive assembly 320 advances from the drive clamping position toward the drive advancing position, the second cam surface 352 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320 guides the cam member 290 downward into the cam slot 334 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320.

[0077] Figure 24 and Figure 25 The tool assembly 216 is shown in the clamped position, wherein the staple cartridge 228 is in the cavity 234 of the channel 226 of the cartridge assembly 222. Figure 20 When the pin cassette 228 is in the lowered position within the channel 226 of the cassette assembly 222, it is in the lowered position. Figure 22 and Figure 23 For example, when thick tissue is clamped between the staple cartridge 228 and the anvil 220, the blade 256 is in a second lowered position relative to the actuating slider 252. In the second lowered position, the cam member 290 of the blade 256 engages with the first cam surface 350 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320, and the stop portion 308 of the blade 256 is further positioned below the support 268 of the actuating slider 252. As the drive assembly 320 advances from the drive clamping position toward the drive advancing position, the first cam surface 352 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320 guides the cam member 290 upward into the cam slot 334 of the working member 324 of the drive assembly 320.

[0078] The tool assembly operates in a manner similar to the tool assembly 16( Figure 2 ). Accordingly, such operation of the tool assembly 216 will not be described in further detail herein.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It can be contemplated that elements and features of one exemplary implementation can be combined with elements and features of another exemplary implementation without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the foregoing description of the aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. A tool assembly for stapling devices, the tool assembly comprising: a drive assembly including a work member having an I-shape and including a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical strut connecting the first beam with the second beam, the vertical strut defining a cam slot, the drive assembly movable between a drive retracted position and a drive advanced position; an anvil; and a cartridge assembly including a channel defining a cavity, a compliant member positioned between the cartridge and the channel to facilitate movement of the cartridge within the cavity between a cartridge raised position and a cartridge lowered position, and a staple cartridge releasably received within the cavity of the channel, the staple cartridge including: a cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot; staples received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body; and an actuation sled assembly movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position, the actuation sled assembly including: an actuation sled having a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion, the central body portion of the actuation sled defining a linear guide channel defining an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly; and a knife supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the knife including a cutting blade, a cam member, and a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled, the cam member received within the cam slot of the vertical strut of the work member of the drive assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position to move the knife from the lowered position to the raised position.

2. The tool assembly of Claim 1, wherein the knife supports a stop and the actuation sled includes an abutment that engages the stop to retain the knife in the lowered position when the knife is in the lowered position.

3. The tool assembly of Claim 2, wherein the actuation sled includes a resilient arm and the abutment is supported on the resilient arm, the resilient arm facilitating movement of the abutment from a first position to a second position to allow the knife to move between the lowered position and the raised position.

4. The tool assembly of Claim 1, wherein the central body portion of the actuation sled is movable through the knife slot of the cartridge body.

5. The tool assembly of Claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge further includes a staple guard secured to a bottom of the cartridge body, the staple guard having a bottom wall that engages the base portion of the actuation sled. ​ 6. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the bottom wall of the staple guard includes a resilient tab and the base portion of the actuation sled defines a recess, the resilient tab of the staple guard being received within the recess of the actuation sled when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled advanced position to retain the actuation sled assembly in the sled advanced position.

7. The tool assembly of claim 6, wherein the cam slot is configured to move the knife from the raised position to the lowered position when the drive assembly is moved from the drive advanced position back to the drive retracted position.

8. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the actuation sled defines a proximal cutout configured to receive the working member of the drive assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

9. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the cam member of the knife is positioned over the cutout when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled retracted position.

10. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical strut of the working member includes a distal surface defining a recess, the cutting blade being at least partially received within the recess during movement of the drive assembly from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

11. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the knife includes a central portion defining a cavity and the actuation sled includes spaced apart vertical walls received within the cavity of the central portion of the knife to constrain the knife to linear movement when the knife is moved between the raised position and the lowered position.

12. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical strut includes a first cam surface positioned on a first side of the cam slot and a second cam surface positioned on a second side of the cam slot, the first and second cam surfaces being configured to guide the cam member of the knife into the cam slot.

13. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the first cam surface is positioned to engage the cam member when the staple cartridge is positioned in the cartridge lowered position within the cavity of the channel and the second cam surface is positioned to engage the cam member when the staple cartridge is positioned in the cartridge raised position within the cavity of the channel.

14. A surgical stapling device, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion coupled to the handle assembly; a drive assembly at least partially received within the elongate body, the drive assembly comprising a working member having an I-shape and including a first beam, a second beam, and a vertical strut connecting the first beam with the second beam, the vertical strut defining a cam slot, the drive assembly being movable between a drive retracted position and a drive advanced position; and a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly including a channel defining a cavity and a staple cartridge releasably received within the cavity of the channel, the staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot; staples received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body; and an actuation sled assembly movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject staples from the cartridge body of the staple cartridge, the actuation sled assembly comprising: an actuation sled having a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion, the central body portion of the actuation sled defining a linear guide channel defining an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly; and a knife supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the knife including a cutting blade, a cam member, and a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled, the cam member being received within the cam slot of the vertical strut of the working member of the drive assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position to move the knife from the lowered position to the raised position.

15. The surgical stapling device of Claim 14, wherein the knife includes a stop portion and the actuation sled includes a resilient arm supporting a standoff, the standoff engaging the stop portion to retain the knife in the lowered position when the knife is in the lowered position.

16. The surgical stapling device of Claim 14, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a staple guard secured to a bottom portion of the cartridge body, the staple guard having a bottom wall that engages the base portion of the actuation sled, and wherein the bottom wall of the staple guard includes a resilient tab and the base portion of the actuation sled defines a recess, the resilient tab of the staple guard being received within the recess of the actuation sled when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled advanced position to retain the actuation sled assembly in the sled advanced position.

17. The surgical stapling device of Claim 14, wherein the base portion of the actuation sled defines a proximal cutout configured to receive the working member of the drive assembly as the drive assembly is moved from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

18. The surgical stapling device of Claim 17, wherein the cam member of the knife is positioned over the cutout when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled retracted position.

19. The surgical stapling device of Claim 14, wherein the vertical strut of the working member comprises a distal surface defining a recess within which the cutting blade is at least partially received during movement of the drive assembly from the drive retracted position toward the drive advanced position.

20. The surgical stapling device of Claim 14, wherein the knife comprises a central portion defining a cavity and the actuation sled comprises spaced apart vertical walls received within the cavity of the central portion of the knife to constrain the knife to linear movement as the knife is moved between the raised position and the lowered position.

21. A staple cartridge, comprising: a cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple-receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot; staples received within the staple-receiving pockets of the cartridge body; and an actuation sled assembly movable within the cartridge body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject staples from the cartridge body of the staple cartridge, the actuation sled assembly comprising: an actuation sled having a base portion, a central body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the central body portion, the central body portion of the actuation sled defining a linear guide channel defining an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly; and a knife supported on the central body portion of the actuation sled and movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the knife comprising a cutting blade, a cam member positioned on a proximal portion of the knife, and a first portion received within the linear guide channel of the actuation sled.

22. The staple cartridge of Claim 21, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a staple guard fixed to a bottom of the cartridge body, the staple guard having a bottom wall that engages the base portion of the actuation sled, and wherein the bottom wall of the staple guard comprises a resilient tab and the base portion of the actuation sled defines a recess, the resilient tab of the staple guard being received within the recess of the actuation sled when the actuation sled assembly is in the sled advanced position to retain the actuation sled assembly in the sled advanced position. ​

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