Staple cartridge equipped with a knife

Abstract

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body with a central slot, an actuating thread, and a knife. The actuating thread includes a body with a base. The body has a guide member extending from the base, which includes a slot. The actuating thread also includes angled cam wedges positioned on both sides of the guide member and a recess located within the base. A spring, including a support and fingers, is coupled to the actuating thread. The fingers are elastically connected to the support. The staple cartridge also includes a knife. The knife includes a foot, an arm, and a projection. The foot has a first pin positioned within the slot, allowing the knife to rotate relative to the guide member. The projection engages with the fingers, causing the fingers to bias the projection in a first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology generally relates to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to surgical stapling devices that include staple cartridges with knives.

Background Art

[0002] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are well known and are commonly used to minimize patient trauma and shorten patient recovery time during surgical procedures. Generally, an endoscopic stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly that is movable relative to the tool assembly to operate the tool assembly. The drive assembly includes a knife bar having a cutting blade for incising tissue. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, which are coupled to each other by a pivotal member and are movable relative to each other between an open position and a clamp position in response to movement of the drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that supports staples ejected from the staple cartridge in response to movement of the drive assembly as well.

[0003] Some stapling devices include staple cartridges that can be replaced each time after 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, which can be replaced each time after firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The use of the reload assembly provides a new cutting blade each time the stapling device is fired and maintains incision quality. The use of replaceable staple cartridges reduces the cost associated with surgical procedures, but generally requires reuse of the cutting blade. Repeated utilization of the same cutting blade can dull the cutting edge and reduce incision quality.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, an operating thread, and a knife. The cartridge body has a central slot extending along the length of the cartridge body. The operating thread includes a body having a base. The body has a guide member including a slot. The guide member and slot extend from the base in a direction transverse to the base. The body further includes angled cam wedges positioned on both sides of the guide member and a recess located within the base. The body further includes a spring having a support and fingers elastically coupled to the support. The knife includes a foot, an arm, and a projection. The arm and projection extend in opposite directions from the foot. The foot has a first pin positioned in the slot so that the pin is slidable within the slot and the knife is rotatable relative to the guide member. The arm includes a second pin and a knife blade. The second pin is engageable with a groove in a drive member. The projection engages with the finger, causing the finger to bias the projection in a first direction, thereby driving the arm in the first direction and defining the shield position of the knife.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a second pin can be slid from the distal position to the proximal position of the groove by parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position to the forward position, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the translation of the drive member toward the forward position overcomes the biasing force of the finger, causing the knife to rotate toward the cutting position in a second direction.

[0007] In further aspects of the present disclosure, the drive member may include a nose which is configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and to drive the tissue toward the knife blade.

[0008] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, the cartridge body may further include staples arranged in a corresponding number of staple receiving pockets.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the staple cartridge may further include a pusher positioned within a staple receiving pocket and supporting the staple, and an angled cam wedge may be movable to engage with the pusher in order to eject the staple from the staple receiving pocket.

[0010] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, the second pin can be slid in the groove from a proximal position to a distal position by parallel movement of the drive member from an advanced position to a retracted position.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the actuating thread can be separated from the drive member by parallel movement of the drive member from an advanced position to a retracted position, and the finger can bias the projection in a first direction, thereby rotating the knife to a shielded position in the first direction.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical stapling device 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 an actuating member. The drive member is translatably movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, and the actuating member is located at the 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 clamped configuration. The cartridge assembly includes a receptacle and a staple cartridge disposed within the receptacle. The staple cartridge has a cartridge body including a central slot, an actuating thread including a body and a base, and a guide member including an elongated slot. The guide member and the elongated slot extend across the base. The staple cartridge further includes a spring having a support and fingers elastically extending from the support. The support is located in a recess of the base. Furthermore, the staple cartridge includes a knife having a foot, an arm, and a projection. The arm and projection extend in opposite directions from the foot. The foot includes a first pin positioned in a slot, which allows the knife to rotate relative to the guide member. The arm includes a knife blade and a second pin. The second pin is engageable with a groove in the working member. The projection engages with a finger, which biases the projection in a first direction, thereby driving the arm in the first direction and defining the shield position of the knife. The knife is translatable to the cutting position as the drive member moves in parallel from the retracted position toward the advanced position.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a second pin can be slid from the distal position to the proximal position of the groove by parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position to the forward position, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the translation of the drive member toward the forward position overcomes the biasing force of the finger, causing the knife to rotate toward the exposed position in a second direction.

[0015] In aspects of this disclosure, the working member may include a nose which may be configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and to drive the tissue toward the knife blade.

[0016] In further embodiments of this disclosure, the cartridge body may further include staples arranged in a corresponding number of staple receiving pockets.

[0017] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the staple cartridge may include a pusher positioned within a staple receiving pocket and supporting the staples, and an angled wedge may be movable to engage with the pusher in order to eject the staples from the staple receiving pocket.

[0018] In one aspect of this disclosure, the second pin can be slid within the groove from a proximal position to a distal position by parallel movement of the drive member from an advanced position to a retracted position.

[0019] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the actuating thread may be separated from the working member by a parallel movement of the drive member from an advanced position to a retracted position, and the finger may bias the projection in a first direction, thereby rotating the knife to a shielded position in the first direction.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a tool assembly for use with a surgical stapling device includes an anvil ridge assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are pivotable relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly has a receptacle, a cartridge body having a central slot, and an actuating thread that is translatably movable within the cartridge body, the actuating thread including a base having a recess. The cartridge assembly includes a guide member extending from the base, the guide member including an elongated slot traversing the base. The guide member includes a spring coupled to the base, the spring including elastic fingers. The cartridge assembly also includes a knife having a foot, an arm, and a projection. The foot includes a first pin positioned in the elongated slot to allow the knife to pivot relative to the guide member. The arm includes a knife blade and a second pin. The second pin is slidably engaged with a groove in a drive member. The projection is operably coupled to an elastic finger, which biases the projection in a first direction and defines the shield position of the knife. The knife is movable to the cutting position as the drive member moves linearly through the cartridge body from the retracted position to the advanced position, where the second pin slides in the groove at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a second pin can be slid from the distal position to the proximal position of the groove by parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position to the forward position, thereby rotating the knife in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0022] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the drive member may include a nose which may be configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and to drive the tissue toward the knife blade.

[0023] In a further aspect of the disclosure, the second pin can be slid in the groove from the proximal position towards the distal position by the translational movement of the drive member from the forward position towards the rearward position, and the actuating thread can be separated from the drive member. The finger can bias the protrusion in the first direction, thereby rotating the knife to the shield position in the first direction.

[0024] Other features of the disclosure will be understood from the following description.

[0025] Various aspects of the staple cartridge and surgical stapling device of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument according to one aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool assembly of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1, showing the staple cartridge separated from the jaw of the tool assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 2, showing the actuating thread, staples, and staple pusher with the parts separated. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the detailed area of FIG. 3 showing the actuating thread. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the actuating thread of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the actuating thread of FIG. 5, showing the knife and spring with the parts separated. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the actuating thread of FIG. 6 without the knife or spring. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the actuating thread of FIG. 5 taken along section line 8-8. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of another aspect of the actuating thread and spring. [Figure 10]Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the drive member of the surgical staple fastening device. [Figure 11] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the drive member of a surgical staple fastening device, showing the groove on the working member of the drive member. [Figure 12] This is a top view cutaway of the proximal portion of the tool assembly. [Figure 13] This is a side cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge shown in Figure 2, taken along the cross-sectional line 13-13. [Figure 14] This is a magnified view of the detailed area shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] This is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly shown in Figure 2, taken along section line 15-15. [Figure 16] This is a side cross-sectional view of a tool assembly in a close-up configuration, with the staple cartridge installed and the drive member in the retracted position. [Figure 17] This is a magnified view of the detailed area in Figure 16. [Figure 18] Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly with the drive member in a position between the retracted and advanced positions. [Figure 19] This is a magnified view of the detailed area shown in Figure 18. [Figure 20] Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly when the drive member and knife move distally in parallel toward the forward position of the drive member. [Figure 21] Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly, showing the drive member when moving in parallel from the forward position to the reverse position. [Figure 22] Figure 21 is a side cross-sectional view of the tool assembly, showing that the drive member moves in parallel to the proximal side and separates from the actuating thread. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The surgical stapling devices of this disclosure are described in detail here with reference to the drawings, where similar reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding elements in each of several drawings. However, it should be understood that the embodiments of the surgical stapling devices disclosed here are illustrative and can be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or structures are not described in detail to avoid obscuring this disclosure with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather as representative foundations for teaching those skilled in the art how to use this disclosure in various ways in substantially any suitable detailed structures.

[0028] In this description, the term “proximal” is generally used to refer to the part of the device closer to the clinician during normal use of the device, while the term “distal” is generally used to refer to the part of the device further away from the clinician during normal use of the device. Furthermore, directional terms, such as anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, apex, base, and similar terms, are used to aid in understanding the description and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Additionally, the term “clinician” is generally used to refer to healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, surgeons, and support staff.

[0029] This disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device including a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge including a knife and an actuating thread. The knife includes a knife blade that is pivotably coupled to the actuating thread and is movable from a shield position to an incision position in response to the advancement of the drive member of the surgical stapling device. The knife and actuating thread form part of the staple cartridge and are replaced after each firing of the surgical stapling device to provide the staple cartridge with a sharp-bladed knife each time the surgical stapling device is fired.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a surgical stapling device, collectively referred to as a stapling device 10, which includes a handle assembly 12, a shaft 14 extending from the handle assembly 12, and a tool assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is powered and includes a fixed grip 18 and an actuating button 20. The actuating button 20 is operable to activate various functions of the tool assembly 16 via the shaft 14, namely, the approach of the tool assembly 16, and the stapling and incision of tissue "T" (Figure 16). In some aspects of this disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports a battery (not shown) that powers the handle assembly 12 to operate the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is shown as a powered stapling device, an advantage of this disclosure is that it is conceived to be suitable for use with manually powered stapling devices and robotically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Patent No. 9,055,943 discloses a stapling device including a powered handle assembly, and U.S. Patents No. 5,865,361 and No. 6,241,139 disclose a stapling device with a manually operated handle assembly.

[0031] The shaft 14 defines a longitudinal axis "X" and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. The proximal portion 14a of the shaft 14 is connected to the handle assembly 12. The distal portion 14b of the shaft 14 is connected to the tool assembly 16.

[0032] Referring here to Figure 2, an exploded view of the tool assembly 16 is shown. The tool assembly 16 includes first and second jaws 30, 40 that are pivotable relative to each other between a separated configuration (Figure 15) and a close configuration (Figure 16). The separated configuration is configured to receive tissue "T" between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40, while the close configuration is configured to grasp tissue "T" between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40. A tool assembly 16 comprising a first fixed jaw 30 and a second pivotable jaw 40 is shown, and it is conceivable that the arrangement configuration may be reversed to provide a first pivotable jaw 30 and a second fixed jaw 40. The first jaw 30 includes an anvil 32 having a staple-forming pocket (not shown). The second jaw 40 has a U-shaped channel 42 for releasably receiving a staple cartridge 100, which will be described in more detail below. The U-shaped channel 42 has a passage 44 extending in the longitudinal direction on its bottom surface.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the staple cartridge 100. The staple cartridge 100 includes a cartridge body 110, a staple pusher 122 and a shield 102 for supporting the associated staples 124, and an operating thread 130. The shield 102 has a slot 104 extending from the proximal end of the shield 102 toward the distal end of the shield 102. The cartridge body 110 has a central slot 112 extending along the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110. The central slot 112 extends along most of the length of the cartridge body 110 between the proximal portion 110a and the 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 and second sections 114, 116 includes a row extending longitudinally through a staple receiving pocket 118, where each staple receiving pocket 118 is configured to receive one of the staple pushers 122 and one of the staples 124. The working thread 130 is linearly translatable through the cartridge body 110 between a retracted position (Figure 16) and an advanced position (Figure 21).

[0034] Referring here to Figures 4 and 5, the actuating thread 130 comprises a base 132, an angled cam wedge 144, a guide member 146, a knife 160, and a spring 180. The guide member 146 extends perpendicularly and vertically from the base 132. The actuating thread 130 may include an optional keel 150 extending from the base 132 in the opposite direction to the guide member 146. The keel 150 is configured to stabilize the actuating thread 130 as it moves parallel through the cartridge body 110, as will be further described below. The cam wedge 144 interacts with the staple pusher 122 to drive the staple pusher 122 vertically within the staple receiving pocket 118 by a linear parallel movement toward the forward position of the actuating thread 130, thereby ejecting staples 124 from the staple receiving pocket 118 toward the staple forming pocket (not shown) of the anvil 32. The linear translation of the actuating thread 130 and its interaction with the staple pusher 122 result in the continuous ejection of staples 124 from the staple receiving pocket 118. The guide member 146 has an elongated slot 148 extending perpendicularly from the base 132 of the actuating thread 130. The knife 160 has a first pin 164 slidably and rotatably positioned within the elongated slot 148 of the guide member 146. The spring 180 includes a support portion 182 positioned in a recess 134 of the base 132, and a finger 186 extending from the support portion 182, oriented such that its distal end faces the guide member 146, where it contacts the projection 166 of the knife 160. The finger 186 is elastically connected to the support portion 182 by an arched portion 188 such that the resting position of the finger 186 defines an acute angle with respect to the support portion 182. This engagement between the fingers 186 of the spring 180 and the projection 166 of the knife 160 causes the knife 160 to be biased to its retracted or shielded position. Referring briefly to Figures 6 and 8, the support 182 includes tabs 190 and projections 194. The tabs 190 are configured to fit into notches 136 in recesses 134 and are located at the distal ends of tines 192 of the support 182 that define a gap between the tabs 190.The projection 194 is located between the tines 192 and is axially spaced away from the tab 190. The projection 194 has a C-shaped portion that engages with the shelf portion 138 of the actuating thread 130. The engagement of the projection 194 and the shelf portion 138, combined with the tab 190 located in the notch 136 of the recess 134, holds the spring 180 in the recess 134 of the actuating thread 130.

[0035] Looking at Figures 6 and 7, the knife 160 includes a foot 162, a projection 166, and an arm 168. The projection 166 extends from the foot 162 in a first direction, and the arm 168 extends from the foot 162 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The arm 168 has first and second ends 168a and 168b on opposite sides. The first end 168a of the arm 168 is attached to the foot 162. The projection 166 has a hook shape, and its end is configured to engage with the finger 186 of the spring 180. A first pin 164 is located on the foot 162 and extends laterally from the foot 162. The knife 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 knife blade 170 extends perpendicularly from the arm 168 and is configured to incise tissue "T". When assembled, the fingers 186 of the spring 180 are biased away from the base 132 of the actuating thread 130 and contact the projection 166. This interaction causes the knife 160 to rotate in a first direction, as indicated by arrow "A" (Figure 13), to a retracted or shielded position (Figure 13). Rotation of the knife 160 in the shielded position is restricted by a position stopper 140 located at the proximal end of the actuating thread 130. As the knife 160 rotates in the first direction to the shielded position, a portion of the arm 168 contacts the position stopper 140, thereby preventing further rotation of the knife 160. In addition to being rotatable in the elongated slot 148 of the guide member 146, the knife 160 is also repositionable vertically within the elongated slot 148 via the first pin 164. In particular, when the knife 160 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow "B" (Figures 18 and 19), the foot portion 162 engages with the arched opening 152, thereby driving the first pin 164 vertically within the elongated slot 148 to set the vertical position of the knife 160. The elongated slot 148 is sized to allow the first pin 164 to rotate and reposition vertically within the elongated slot 148 (Figure 8), as well as to allow limited proximal and distal movement within the elongated slot 148.

[0036] Briefly referring to Figure 9, another embodiment of the actuation thread 130', recess 134', and spring 180' is shown. Instead of using the tab 190 and projection 194 to attach the spring 180' to the actuation thread 130', the support 182' has a rectangular base 132' with a central opening 184, allowing the spring 180' to be attached to the base 132' of the actuation thread 130' by heat-crimping the base 132' of the support 182' onto the post 142 on the base 132' of the actuation thread 130'.

[0037] Figures 10 and 11 show the distal portion of the drive member 200 of the staple fastening device 10. The drive member 200 is linearly translatable between a retracted position (Figures 12 and 16) and an advanced position (Figure 21) via a shaft 14. The drive member 200 includes an elongated beam 202 terminated by an operating member 210. The elongated beam 202 may be formed from multiple layers or laminates and multiple beams. In embodiments of this disclosure, the operating member 210 is welded to the beam 202. Alternatively, the operating member 210 may be fixed to the beam 202 using various different fastening techniques or devices. The operating member 210 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first plate 212, first and second wings 214a, 214b, and a vertical support 216 connecting the first plate 212 to the first and second wings 214a, 214b. The wings 214a and 214b on the opposite side 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 is formed together with, a nose 220 that extends acutely from the first plate 212 toward the first and second wings 214a and 214b. The nose 220 is configured to bluntly orient the tissue "T" toward the first and second wings 214a and 214b (Figure 20). An appendage 222 extends longitudinally from the vertical strut 216 and includes a groove 224. The groove 224 is angled with respect to the vertical strut 216 and has an open distal end 224a and a closed proximal end 224b. As will be described in detail below, the groove 224 is configured to slidably receive the second pin 172 of the knife 160.

[0038] As shown in Figure 12, the drive member 200 is in the retracted position and the knife 160 is in the shielded position. The guide member 146 and the knife blade 170 are aligned with the central slot 112 of the cartridge body. Therefore, during the parallel movement of the operating thread 130 and the drive member 200, the guide member 146 and the knife blade 170 move parallel along the central slot 112 of the cartridge body 110.

[0039] Referring here to Figures 13 and 14, a side cross-sectional view of the cartridge body 110 is shown with the actuation thread 130 in a retracted position defined by the actuation thread 130 located on the proximal portion 110a of the cartridge body 110. In the retracted position, the knife 160 is in a shielded position, which is due to its rotation in a first direction as indicated by arrow "A", resulting from the fingers 186 of the spring 180 acting on a portion of the projection 166 of the knife 160, thereby rotating the knife 160 around 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 stopper 140 of the actuation thread 130. In the shielded position, the knife blade 170 is positioned below the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110 so as not to contact the tissue "T" located on the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110 (Figure 16). Furthermore, when in use, an optional keel 150 of the actuating thread 130 extends through the slot 104 of the shield 102 to guide the actuating thread 130 during linear translation through the cartridge body 110 and to improve the lateral stability of the actuating thread 130 during linear translation.

[0040] Referring here to Figures 2 and 15, the first jaw 30 also includes the position of a corrugated spring 46 between the bottom surface of the U-shaped channel 42 and the bottom surface of the cartridge body 110. The corrugated spring 46 is compressible and applies a biasing force to the cartridge body 110 of the cartridge assembly 100. When the first and second jaws 30, 40 are in a proximity position with the tissue "T" positioned between the anvil 32 and the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110 (Figure 16), the corrugated spring 46 allows vertical movement of the cartridge body 110 of the cartridge assembly 100 within the U-shaped channel 42 to accommodate the different tissue thicknesses. Therefore, thicker tissue between the anvil 32 and the cartridge body 110 compresses the corrugated spring 46 more than thinner tissue, thereby applying substantially constant or uniform pressure to the tissue trapped between the anvil 32 and the cartridge body 110.

[0041] Referring here to Figures 16-22, the operation of the tool assembly 16 is shown. The tool assembly 16 is shown in an approach configuration with tissue "T" trapped between the anvil 32 and the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110. Initially, the drive member 200 and the actuating thread 130 are in their retracted positions, and the knife 160 is in the shielded position. Furthermore, the second pin 172 of the knife 160 is slidably positioned in the open distal end 224a of the groove 224 of the actuating member 210. While the stapling device 10 is being actuated, the drive member 200 moves linearly in parallel through the tool assembly 16 distally toward the advanced position. As the drive member 200 and actuating member 210 move distally in parallel through the tool assembly 16, the second pin 172 slides in the groove 224 of the actuating member 210 from the open distal end 224a toward the closed proximal end 224b. The sliding of the second pin 172 from the open distal end 224a of the groove 224 toward the closed proximal end 224b of the groove 224 overcomes the biasing applied by the finger 186 of the spring 180, thereby rotating the knife 160 to the exposed or cutting position in the direction indicated by arrow "B" (Figures 18 and 19). In the cutting position, the knife blade 170 is exposed and adapted to cut tissue "T" positioned between the anvil 32 and the tissue contact surface 120 of the cartridge body 110. When the knife 160 is rotated to the cutting position, the knife blade 170 contacts the cam surface 218 to position the knife blade 170 to cut tissue "T". In some embodiments of this disclosure, in the cutting position, the knife blade 170 (Figure 20) is angled with respect to an axis that crosses (but is not perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly to perform a slicing motion that facilitates more efficient cutting of tissue "T". The amount of contact between the knife blade 170 and the cam surface 218 of the drive member 200 varies depending on the amount of compression applied to the corrugated spring 46. When the cartridge assembly 100 is positioned below the bottom surface of the shield 102, this compresses the corrugated spring 46, minimizing contact between the knife blade 170 and the cam surface 218.Conversely, when the cartridge assembly 100 is positioned above the bottom surface of the shield 102, this allows the corrugated spring 46 to be uncompressed, and the knife blade 170 leans against the cam surface 218, thereby supporting the knife blade 170. As shown in Figure 18, the first and second jaws 30, 40 of the tool assembly 16 are in close proximity, with tissue "T" caught between them, and the drive member 200 is moving in the direction indicated by arrow "C", and as the working thread 130 moves distally with the drive member 200, the knife 160 is rotated to the cutting position. The distal end of the working member 210 contacts the proximal end of the working thread 130, driving the working thread 130 distally through the cartridge body 110. During the distal parallel movement of the working member 210 and the working thread 130, the tissue "T" positioned between the first jaw 30 and the second jaw 40 of the tool assembly 16 comes into contact with the nose 220 of the working member 210 and is directed toward the knife blade 170, thereby improving the incision of the tissue "T" by the knife blade 170. After the drive member 200 and the working thread 130 reach their forward positions (Figure 21), the drive member 200 begins a proximal parallel movement toward the retracted position as indicated by the arrow "D" through the cartridge body 110, while the working thread 130 remains in the forward position in the distal portion 110b of the cartridge body 110. As the drive member 200 moves parallel 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 to the shielded position (Figure 22) in the first direction indicated by arrow "A". The finger 186 moves in the direction indicated by arrow "E", so that the finger 186 contacts the projection 166 of the knife 160, thereby maintaining the knife 160 in the shielded position due to the biasing force of the finger 186 applied in the direction indicated by arrow "E". With the knife 160 in the shielded position, the cartridge body 110 can be safely removed from the U-shaped channel 42 of the second jaw 40.Furthermore, after the actuation sequence, the actuation thread 130 and knife 160 remain on the distal portion 110b of the cartridge body 110, so the cartridge body 110 and knife 160 are used only once before disposal. In addition, when a partial actuation sequence is used, the proximal movement of the drive member 200 separates the drive member 200 from the actuation thread 130 as described above. Therefore, whether a partial or full actuation is performed, the proximal movement of the drive member 200 separates the drive member 200 from the actuation thread 130, thereby translating the knife 160 to the shielded position as described above.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of the Disclosure. Without departing from the scope of the Disclosure, elements and features shown or described in relation to one exemplary embodiment may be combined with elements and features of another exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand further features and advantages of the Disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the Disclosure is not limited to those illustrated and described in detail, except as shown by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A cartridge body having a central slot extending along the length of the cartridge body; An operating thread comprising a body having a base, wherein the body is: A guide member including a slot, wherein the guide member and the slot extend from the base in a direction transverse to the base, Angled cam wedges positioned on both sides of the guide member, and recesses located within the base, A spring including a support part and fingers elastically connected to the support part. Having an operating thread; A knife comprising a foot, an arm, and a projection, wherein the arm and the projection extend in opposite directions from the foot, the foot has a first pin positioned in the slot so that the pin is slidable within the slot and the knife is rotatable relative to the guide member, the arm includes a second pin and a knife blade, the second pin is engageable with a groove of a drive member, and the projection engages with a finger so that the finger biases the projection in a first direction, thereby driving the arm in the first direction to define the shield position of the knife, and Includes staple cartridges.

2. The staple cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position toward the forward position causes 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 to the first direction.

3. The parallel movement of the drive member toward the forward position overcomes the biasing force of the finger, causing the knife to rotate toward the cutting position in the second direction, thereby angling the knife blade with respect to an axis that crosses the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge, according to claim 2.

4. The staple cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the drive member includes a nose, the nose is configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and to drive the tissue toward the knife blade.

5. The staple cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge body further includes staples arranged in a corresponding number of staple receiving pockets.

6. The staple cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a pusher positioned within the staple receiving pocket and supporting the staple, wherein the angled cam wedge is movable to engage with the pusher in order to eject the staple from the staple receiving pocket.

7. The staple cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the second pin is slid within the groove from the proximal position to the distal position by the parallel movement of the drive member from the forward position to the retracted position.

8. The staple cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the operating thread is separated from the drive member by parallel movement of the drive member from the forward position to the retracted position, thereby rotating the knife in the first direction to the shield position.

9. The handle and; A shaft extending from the aforementioned handle; A reloading assembly coupled to the shaft, the reloading assembly comprising a drive member and an actuarial member, wherein the drive member is movable in parallel between a retracted position and a forward position, and the actuarial member is positioned at the distal end of the drive member; A tool assembly coupled to the reloading assembly, the tool assembly comprising an anvil and a cartridge assembly, which are pivotable relative to each other between an open configuration and a clamped configuration, the cartridge assembly comprising a receptacle and a staple cartridge disposed within the receptacle, the staple cartridge comprising: Cartridge body including the central slot, Operating threads including the main body and base, A guide member including an elongated slot, wherein the guide member and the elongated slot extend across the base, A spring having a support portion and fingers elastically extending from the support portion, wherein the support portion is disposed in a recess of the base, and A knife having a foot, an arm, and a projection, wherein the arm and projection extend in opposite directions from the foot, the foot includes a first pin positioned in the slot to allow the knife to rotate relative to the guide member, the arm includes a knife blade and a second pin, the second pin is engageable with a groove in the working member, the projection engages with the finger so that the finger biases the projection in a first direction, thereby driving the arm in the first direction to define the shield position of the knife, and the knife is movable to a cutting position as the drive member moves in parallel from the retracted position toward the forward position. A tool assembly having Surgical staple fasteners, including [specific type of staple].

10. The surgical stapling device according to claim 9, wherein the parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position toward the forward position causes 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 to the first direction.

11. The surgical stapling device according to claim 10, wherein the parallel movement of the drive member toward the forward position overcomes the biasing force of the finger, causing the knife to rotate toward the exposed position in the second direction.

12. The surgical stapling device according to claim 9, wherein the working member includes a nose, the nose is configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge and to drive the tissue toward the knife blade.

13. The surgical stapling device according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge body further includes staples arranged in a corresponding number of staple receiving pockets.

14. The surgical stapling device according to claim 13, further comprising a pusher positioned within the staple receiving pocket and supporting the staple, wherein the angled wedge is movable to engage with the pusher in order to eject the staple from the staple receiving pocket.

15. The surgical staple fastening device according to claim 10, wherein the second pin is slid within the groove from the proximal position toward the distal position by the parallel movement of the drive member toward the retracted position.

16. The surgical stapling device according to claim 15, wherein the actuation thread is separated from the working member by parallel movement of the drive member toward the retracted position, thereby rotating the knife toward the shield position in the first direction.

17. A tool assembly for use with surgical stapling devices: Anvil and; A cartridge assembly wherein the anvil and the cartridge assembly are pivotable relative to each other between an open position and a clamped position, and the cartridge assembly is: Receptacle, Cartridge body including the central slot, An actuating thread that is movable in parallel within the cartridge body, the actuating thread including a base having a recess, A guide member extending from the base, the guide member including an elongated slot crossing the base, A spring coupled to the base, the spring including elastic fingers, and A knife having a foot, an arm, and a projection, wherein the foot includes a first pin positioned in the elongated slot so that the knife is pivotable relative to the guide member, the arm includes a knife blade and a second pin, the second pin being slidably engaged with a groove in a drive member, and the projection is operably coupled to an elastic finger so that the elastic finger biases the projection in a first direction to define the shield position of the knife, the knife being movable to a cutting position as the drive member moves linearly through the cartridge body from a retracted position to a forward position, and the second pin sliding in the groove at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body, Cartridge assembly and A tool assembly that includes this.

18. The tool assembly according to claim 17, wherein the parallel movement of the drive member from the retracted position toward the forward position causes 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 to the first direction.

19. The tool assembly according to claim 17, wherein the drive member includes a nose, the nose is configured to define an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and to drive tissue toward the knife blade.

20. The tool assembly according to claim 17, wherein the parallel movement of the drive member from the forward 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 thread from the drive member, and the finger biases the protrusion in the first direction, thereby rotating the knife in the first direction toward the shield position.

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