Surgical stapler having a cap with an extension

Abstract

The present invention provides a surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes an anvil portion, the anvil portion including a cap portion at one end of an anvil portion body, and a retaining pin recess of the anvil portion being offset to one side relative to a center line. An extension section of the cap portion provides a part of a tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion or is used for supporting a widened tissue contacting surface. This configuration allows as much as possible for a certain error when firing a retaining pin, so that even if the retaining pin is not accurately received by the retaining pin recess, an end portion of the retaining pin will abut against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion without missing the anvil portion and entering tissue. The retaining pin abuts against the enlarged tissue contacting surface, thereby resisting actuation of the anvil portion and a staple cartridge toward a closed configuration, which can enable an operator to perceive abnormal actuation of a guide pin. In addition, the retaining pin abutting against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion may be returned to the retaining pin recess with subsequent slight shaking or a similar operation, to allow for subsequent surgical procedures.

Description

[0001] SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING A CAP WITH AN EXTENSION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of surgical instruments, and specifically relates to a surgical stapler / anastomosis stapler.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Surgical staplers / anastomosis staplers are often used to deploy staples into tissue to reduce or eliminate tissue bleeding. For example, when tissue is cut, it needs to be sutured to promote healing. A surgical stapler / anastomosis stapler (such as a linear stapler / anastomosis stapler or an arc-type stapler / anastomosis stapler, for example) may include an end effector assembly having a staple cartridge and a staple anvil portion. The end effector assembly can secure tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil portion, wherein the staple cartridge includes a staple cartridge configured to be capable of removably storing surgical staples therein, and the anvil portion includes a staple-forming recess for shaping staples. Such a surgical stapler / anastomosis stapler typically includes a closure system that moves one of the staple cartridge and the anvil portion relative to the other.

[0006] As described above, the surgical stapler / anastomosis stapler may be configured to close the staple cartridge and anvil portion of the end effector assembly into a closed configuration, so as to capture tissue between the staple cartridge and anvil portion. In the closed configuration, the staple cartridge and the anvil portion apply a clamping force to the tissue, so as to retain the tissue between the anvil portion and the staple cartridge. Then, staples are driven to be deployed from the staple cartridge and deform against the stapleforming recess of the anvil portion, thereby securing tissue layers together. The staples are typically deployed in several staple lines or rows, so as to more reliably secure the tissue layers together. The end effector assembly may or may not include a cutting member that can be advanced between the staple rows to cut the tissue after the tissue layers have been sutured together.

[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, an existing end effector 16 is shown. A U-shaped distal support structure 48 defining the end effector 16 has a staple cartridge mounting portion 52 that removably receives a staple cartridge 160. The end effector 16 is also configured to laterally receive or “reload” tissue within a gap defined between a cartridge housing 162 of the staple cartridge 160 and an anvil 210 mounted within the end effector 16. The end effector 16 further includes a retaining pin 176, and the retaining pin 176 can extend distally from the staple cartridge 160 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, so as to capture tissue between the anvil 210 and the cartridge housing 162. The retaining pin may be pushed by a handle end of a surgical stapler, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be pushed by a user at the end effector, so that the retaining pin is received by a corresponding position of the anvil. However, the retaining pin can easily deviate from an intended target, and once the retaining pin deviates, it will miss the anvil and drive into the tissue around the anvil, which will not only fail to achieve the subsequent surgical purpose, but also may cause damage to the tissue.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to provide a surgical stapler so as to at least partially address the described problems.

[0009] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention provides a surgical stapler, an anvil portion of the surgical stapler comprising a cap portion having an extension section. The extension section of the cap portion can serve as an additional tissue contacting surface, or be used for supporting a widened tissue contacting surface. This configuration allows as much as possible for a certain error when firing a retaining pin. For example, even if the retaining pin is not accurately received by a retaining pin recess, an end portion of the retaining pin will abut against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion without missing the anvil portion and entering tissue. The retaining pin abutting against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion may be returned to the retaining pin recess with subsequent slight shaking or a similar operation, to allow for subsequent surgical procedures.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical stapler, comprising a handle assembly for an operator to hold and an end effector located at a distal end of the handle assembly in a first direction, the end effector comprising an anvil portion and a staple cartridge configured to be movable relative to each other in the first direction between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the anvil portion being formed in an elongated shape extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein:

[0012] The surgical stapler is configured to fire surgical staples in the staple cartridge towards the anvil portion; A staple-forming recess for receiving and shaping the surgical staple and a retaining pin recess for receiving a retaining pin provided on the staple cartridge are formed in a tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion facing a proximal side, and the anvil portion comprises an anvil portion body and a cap portion located at an end portion of the anvil portion body,

[0013] Wherein the staple-forming recess has a center line extending in the second direction, the retaining pin recess is offset to one side with respect to the center line, and the cap portion has an extension section extending along a side wall of the anvil portion body on the one side of the anvil portion body.

[0014] In one embodiment, a dimension of the extension section of the cap portion in the second direction is greater than or equal to 5.3 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the dimension of the extension section of the cap portion in the second direction is 5.3 mm to 5.9 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment, a maximum width of the tissue contacting surface is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm.

[0017] In one embodiment, the maximum width of the tissue contacting surface is 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cap portion comprises a cap portion body located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction, wherein the cap portion body has a width that tapers in a direction away from the staple-forming recess, and a dimension of the cap portion body in the first direction also tapers in the direction away from the staple-forming recess.

[0019] In one embodiment, the anvil portion comprises a support member comprising a support body mounted in the anvil portion body and the cap portion exposed to the outside, wherein the support member is made of plastic, and a part of the anvil portion other than the support member is made of stainless steel.

[0020] In one embodiment, a trigger for operably firing the surgical staple is provided on the handle assembly, and a retaining pin operating component for operably firing the retaining pin is provided on the end effector. In one embodiment, a chamfered feature structure for guiding the retaining pin into the retaining pin recess is formed on the outer periphery of the retaining pin recess.

[0021] In one embodiment, the chamfered feature structure comprises a continuous annular part surrounding the retaining pin recess.

[0022] In one embodiment, the chamfered feature structure comprises a rectangular part provided only on the one side of the retaining pin recess.

[0023] In one embodiment, the extension section and a surface of the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge together constitute the tissue contacting surface.

[0024] In one embodiment, the extension section and the anvil portion body have a same dimension in the first direction, and respective surfaces of the extension section and the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge are flush.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cap portion comprises a cap portion body located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction, and an outer surface of the extension section substantially perpendicular to a third direction is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches a side wall of the anvil portion body in a direction away from the cap portion body and terminates at the side wall of the anvil portion body.

[0026] In one embodiment, a surface of the extension section facing the staple cartridge is further away from the staple cartridge relative to a surface of the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge.

[0027] In one embodiment, the extension section is a flat plate structure having a uniform width.

[0028] In one embodiment, the anvil portion body comprises an anvil plate having the staple-forming recess, and the anvil plate has a part extending in a third direction to cover a surface of the extension section facing the staple cartridge, so that the tissue contacting surface is completely defined by the anvil plate.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cap portion comprises a cap portion body located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction, and an outer surface of the extension section substantially perpendicular to the third direction is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches a side wall of the anvil portion body in a direction away from the cap portion body and terminates at the side wall of the anvil portion body. In one embodiment, a surface of the cap portion body with which the anvil plate is engaged, facing the staple cartridge, is flush with a surface of the anvil plate facing the staple cartridge.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention, together with the features and advantages thereof, may be better understood with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings. In the following description and drawings, similar components are denoted by similar numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, some components may be omitted for clarity and conciseness, and some of the drawings may be drawn in an exaggerated or diagrammatic manner.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an end effector of an existing surgical stapler;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustratively showing a surgical stapler according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of an end effector in FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a side view of an anvil portion in FIG. 2;

[0036] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 4;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end effector of a surgical stapler according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 6;

[0039] FIG. 8 is a side view of an anvil portion in FIG. 6;

[0040] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 8;

[0041] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an end effector according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 11 is a side view of an anvil portion of FIG. 10;

[0043] FIG. 12A is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 11;

[0044] FIG. 12B is a schematic perspective view of an anvil plate in FIG. 11; and

[0045] FIGS. 12C-12H are six views of the anvil plate in FIG. 12B, wherein FIG. 12C is a front view of the anvil portion, FIG. 12D is a back view of the anvil portion, FIG. 12E is a left side view of the anvil portion, FIG. 12F is a right side view of the anvil portion, FIG. 12G is a top view of the anvil portion, and FIG. 12H is a bottom view of the anvil portion.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described herein are merely exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, and on the basis of the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art could conceive of other modes capable of implementing the present invention, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0048] FIGS. 2-12H illustratively show surgical staplers according to some embodiments of the present invention. First of all, it should be noted that the directional terms and position terms mentioned in the present invention should be construed as relative directions and relative positions, rather than absolute directions and absolute positions. The directional terms and position terms mentioned in the present invention may be understood with reference to the orientation of the surgical stapler in FIGS. 2- 12 A. A “first direction DI”, a “second direction D2”, and a “third direction D3” mentioned in the present invention are three directions orthogonal to each other in space. In the orientation of the surgical stapler as shown in FIG. 1, the “first direction DI” and the “third direction D3” are substantially horizontal directions, the “second direction D2” is substantially understood to be a vertical direction, and the “first direction DI” may be understood to be a direction in which a distal direction (referring to a direction away from an operator) or a proximal direction (referring to a direction closer to the operator) is located. Unless otherwise defined, a “width” as used herein refers to the dimension of a component in the third direction D3.

[0049] FIGS. 2-5 show an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary right-angle linear surgical stapler configured to suture and cut tissue in a variety of non-endoscopic (“open”) surgical procedures (including, for example, colorectal, thoracic, and bariatric procedures). The surgical stapler 100 (also referred to as a “right-angle linear cutter”) generally includes a handle assembly 20, a shaft assembly 24 extending distally from the handle assembly 20, and an end effector 30 located at a distal end portion of the shaft assembly 24. The end effector 30 is provided with a “right angle” configuration such that the end effector 30 grips, sutures, and cuts tissue in a plane extending transversely at a right angle to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly 24. The handle assembly 20 includes a housing 21 defining a pistol grip 23, and a pair of pivotable triggers 22, which may include a closure trigger and a firing trigger. The closure trigger and the firing trigger are operably coupled to the end effector 30 via the shaft assembly 24, so that the end effector 30 is configured to be able to close and thereby clamp tissue in response to the actuation of the closure trigger and subsequently suture and cut the tissue in response to actuation of the firing trigger.

[0051] The end effector 30 includes an anvil portion 32 and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge in the present embodiment is not shown in FIGS. 2-13G, but reference may be made to the general structure and position of the staple cartridge 160 of the end effector 16 shown in FIG. 1. The distal end of the shaft assembly 24 is provided with a support part 31 for mounting the staple cartridge. The anvil portion 32 and the staple cartridge are configured to be movable with respect to each other in a first direction DI between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the anvil portion 32 is formed having an elongated shape extending in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction DI.

[0052] The surgical stapler 100 is provided with several actuation systems for operating the end effector 30 via the handle assembly 20 during a surgical procedure on a patient. Specifically, the surgical stapler 100 includes: a retaining pin actuation system, a closure system, and a firing system. The retaining pin actuation system is operable to push a retaining pin distally to realize initial retention of tissue within the end effector 30. The retaining pin in the present embodiment is not shown in the figures, but reference may be made to the general structure and position of the retaining pin 176 of the end effector 16 shown in FIG. 1. The closure system is operable to clamp the tissue with the end effector 30. The firing system is operable to subsequently suture and cut the tissue using the end effector 30. While the teaching contents of the present invention are shown and described in the context of a “linear” surgical stapler 100 that is configured to be able to apply linear rows of staples and linear cutting lines in tissue, it should be understood that any one or more of the teachings of the present invention may be applied to surgical staplers configured to able to apply rows of staples and tissue cutting lines having non-linear (e.g., curved) configurations, such as surgical staplers of the type disclosed in any one or more reference documents incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] The anvil portion 32 includes an anvil portion body. One end of the anvil portion body in the second direction D2 is connected to the support part 31 via a connecting section 33, and the anvil portion 32, the support part 31, and the connecting section 33 form a substantially integral U-shaped member or hook-shaped component. In fact, the surgical stapler includes a left-side workpiece and a right-side workpiece butted together in a third direction D3, the left-side workpiece constituting a common left-side surface of the anvil portion 32, the connecting section 33, and the support part 31, and the right-side workpiece constituting a common right-side surface of the anvil portion 32, the connecting section 33, and the support part 31. A position of the anvil portion body facing the support part 31 is provided with an anvil plate 321 (the anvil plate may also be referred to as an anvil), and the anvil plate 321 faces the support part 31 (i.e., faces the proximal side) and constitutes a large part of a tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion 32.

[0054] A cap portion 322 is provided at the top of the anvil plate 321, and the cap portion

[0055] 322 has a cap portion body 3222 on a top side of the anvil plate 321 and has a section 3221 extending downwardly along a side wall of the anvil portion body 32. Specifically, the cap portion 322 is actually a part of a support member inside the end effector 30, and the support member includes a hook-shaped support body (not shown) mounted within the anvil portion 32 and the cap portion 322 exposed to the outside. Preferably, the support member is made of plastic, and the anvil plate 321 and a side wall of the anvil portion 32 are made of stainless steel. This arrangement not only ensures the strength of the anvil portion 32, but also reduces the overall weight.

[0056] The cap portion body 3222 can serve a guide function. In particular, the cap portion body 3222 has a width that tapers in a direction away from the anvil plate 321, and the dimension of the cap portion body 3222 in the first direction DI also tapers in the direction away from the anvil plate 321.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a staple-forming recess 323 for receiving and shaping a surgical staple and a retaining pin recess 324 for receiving a retaining pin are formed in the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion 32. The staple-forming recess 323 and the retaining pin recess 324 are both formed in the anvil plate 321. The staple-forming recess

[0058] 323 has a center line X extending in the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, there are two rows of staple-forming recesses 323, each row of staple-forming recesses 323 extending in the second direction D2. The two rows of staple-forming recesses 323 are arranged side by side in the third direction D3, and the center line X of the present embodiment is located between the two rows of staple-forming recesses 323. In other embodiments, more rows of staple-forming recesses 323 may be provided, and the center line X is located at the exact center of all the rows of staple-forming recesses 323 in the third direction D3.

[0059] The retaining pin recess 324 is offset to one side with respect to the center line X of the staple-forming recesses 323. The retaining pin recess 324 is located slightly on the left half of the tissue contacting surface. To enable the anvil portion 32 to abut against and block the end portion of the retaining pin when the retaining pin is fired and the retaining pin is not accurately received by the retaining pin recess 324, the cap portion 322 is provided with an extension section 3221 extending along the side wall of the anvil portion body at the left side of the anvil portion body, a surface of the extension section 3221 facing the staple cartridge also constituting a part of the tissue contacting surface. Specifically, the surface of the extension section 3221 facing the staple cartridge constitutes an additional part of the tissue contacting surface, and when the retaining pin is not accurately received within the retaining pin recess 324, the surface of the extension section 3221 facing the staple cartridge can block and abut against the retaining pin, preventing the retaining pin from missing the anvil portion 32 and striking the tissue.

[0060] The extension section 3222 of the cap portion 322 and the anvil plate 321 together constitute the tissue contacting surface. Due to the presence of the extension section 3222, the left half region of the tissue contacting surface where the retaining pin recess 324 is located is widened, so that the distance from the retaining pin recess 324 to a left boundary line of the tissue contacting surface is also increased. Specifically, the anvil plate 321 itself is not widened, but the anvil portion 32 is widened by providing the extension section 3221 of the cap portion 322. In particular, the anvil portion 321 has a larger width in a region on the left side where the retaining pin recess 324 is located. However, since the retaining pin recess 324 is disposed eccentrically, the dimension of the retaining pin recess 324 from the left boundary line 325 may still be smaller than the dimension thereof from a right boundary line 326. For example, the distance SI between the retaining pin recess 324 and the left boundary line 325 is 1.3 mm to 1.6 mm, and the distance S2 between the retaining pin recess 324 and the right boundary line 326 is 2.8 mm to 3.1 mm. The anvil portion 32 has a uniform width everywhere in the second direction D2, that is, the anvil portion 32 has the same width at its top and bottom (for example, at one end and the other end in the second direction D2). With continued reference to FIG. 5, a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the left side of the staple-forming recesses 323 has a first width W1 (the first width W1 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 323 and the left boundary line 325 of the tissue contacting surface), a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the right side of the staple-forming recesses 323 has a second width W2 (the second width W2 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 323 and the right boundary line 326 of the tissue contacting surface), and the first width W1 may be greater than or equal to the second width W2.

[0061] In particular, in some embodiments, the first width W1 is 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and the second width W2 is 1.5 mm to 2 mm. In the present embodiment, the center line X of the staple-forming recesses 323 is located at the exact center of the anvil plate 321, so that the first width W1 is equal to the second width W2. It should be noted that there may be a chamfer at the edge of each staple-forming recess 232, and in the present embodiment, both the first width W 1 and the second width W2 may be measured from the outer contour line of the chamfer of the staple-forming recess 232. However, due to the small dimensions of the chamfer, in some embodiments the first width and the second width may also be measured from the inner contour line of the chamfer of the staple-forming recess.

[0062] Preferably, the dimension S4 of the extension section 3221 of the cap portion 322 in the second direction D2 is greater than or equal to 5.3 mm, preferably 5.3 mm to 5.9 mm. The maximum width S3 of the tissue contacting surface is greater than or equal to 1.0 mm, preferably 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm, and a region of the tissue contacting surface having the maximum width is jointly defined by the extension section 3221 and the anvil plate 321.

[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 5, preferably, a chamfered feature structure 3241 for guiding the retaining pin into the retaining pin recess 324 is formed on the outer periphery of the retaining pin recess 324, and the chamfered feature structure 3241 may, for example, be of a continuous annular shape around the retaining pin recess 324, so that the tip of the retaining pin can be guided by the chamfered feature structure 3241 into the retaining pin recess 324 wherever it abuts against around the retaining pin recess 324. In the present embodiment, both the distance SI and the distance S2 may be measured from the outer contour line of the chamfered feature structure 3241. However, due to the small dimensions of the chamfered feature structure 3241, in some embodiments, the distance SI and the distance S2 may also be measured from the inner contour line of the chamfered feature structure.

[0064] In the present embodiment, each of left and right side edges of the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion 32 is provided with a transition surface or a chamfered cut surface, and the left boundary line 325 and the right boundary line 326 mentioned in the present embodiment refer to edge lines near the proximal side (i.e., near the center line X, which is seen in FIG. 4) of the transition surface or the chamfered cut surface, on the basis of which the dimensions Wl, W2, SI, and S2 are each measured. Since the dimensions of the transition surface or the chamfered cut surface are small, other means of defining the left boundary line and the right boundary line are also possible in other embodiments, and the embodiments in which corresponding dimensions are measured by other defining means also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 3, the extension section 3221 and the anvil portion body have a same dimension in the first direction DI, and the respective surfaces of the extension section 3221 and the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge are flush, that is, the tissue contacting surface jointly formed by the extension section 3221 and the anvil plate 321 is a flat surface. Preferably, an outer surface 3221a of the extension section 3221, which is substantially perpendicular to the third direction D3, is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches the side wall of the anvil portion body in a direction away from the cap portion body 3222 and terminates at the side wall of the anvil portion body. It should be noted that “substantially perpendicular” as used herein is an expression used when describing a curved surface (usually, a surface perpendicular to one direction may be a flat surface), and its specific meaning can be clearly and unambiguously understood.

[0066] Returning to FIGS. 2-3, at two side surfaces of the anvil portion 32 perpendicular to the third direction D3, side walls of the connecting section 33 protrude from the side walls of the anvil portion 32, so that connecting positions 324 of the connecting section 33 and the anvil portion 32 each form a stepped portion.

[0067] In other optional embodiments, at a right side face of the anvil portion 32 perpendicular to the third direction D3, a side wall of a connecting region of the anvil portion 32 and the connecting section 33, the side wall of the anvil portion 32, and the side wall of the connecting section 33 may also be in the same plane. Specifically, in some embodiments which are not shown, because the retaining pin recess is offset to the left relative to the center line, a left workpiece forms an integral left side surface that is planar, and a right workpiece opposite the left workpiece forms an integral right side surface that is non-planar. If the retaining pin recess is offset to the right relative to the center line, preferably, the right workpiece forms an integral right side surface that is planar, and the left workpiece opposite the right workpiece forms an integral left side surface that may be non-planar.

[0068] The configuration of the anvil portion 32 of the aforementioned embodiment is particularly suitable for a surgical stapler 100 that operates a retaining pin at a distal end. Specifically, a trigger for operably firing a surgical staple is provided on the handle assembly 20, and a retaining pin operating component for operably firing a retaining pin is provided on the end effector 30. Operating the retaining pin distally can easily cause a retaining pin offset, and the cap portion having the extension section provided by the aforementioned embodiment can compensate for this drawback.

[0069] FIGS. 6-9 show another embodiment according to the present invention. A step is formed between the extension section 4221 of the cap portion 422 and the anvil plate 421, and the surface of the extension section 4221 of the cap portion 422 facing the staple cartridge (not shown) is not flush with the surface of the anvil plate 421 facing the staple cartridge. Specifically, the surface of the extension section 4221 facing the staple cartridge mounted on a mounting part 41 is further away from the staple cartridge relative to the surface of the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge, so that a gap occurs between the surface of the extension section 4221 of the cap portion 422 facing the mounting part 41 and the surface of the anvil plate 421 facing the mounting part 41. This gap is particularly beneficial in the processing of the end effector, for example, facilitating injection molding, welding, demolding, etc. With reference to FIG. 7, the extension section 4221 is a flat plate structure having a uniform width (or thickness).

[0070] The cap portion 422 and the anvil plate 421 together form a tissue contacting surface that is not a flat plane. The left half region of the tissue contacting surface in which the retaining pin recess 424 is located is widened, so that the distance from the retaining pin recess 424 to the left boundary line of the tissue contacting surface is also increased. Specifically, the anvil plate 421 itself is not widened, but the anvil portion 42 is widened by providing the extension section 4221 of the cap portion 422. In particular, the anvil portion 421 has a larger width in a region on the left side where the retaining pin recess 424 is located. However, since the retaining pin recess 424 is disposed eccentrically, the dimension of the retaining pin recess 424 from the left boundary line 425 may still be smaller than the dimension thereof from the right boundary line 426. For example, the distance S2 between the retaining pin recess 424 and the left boundary line 425 is 1.3 mm to 1.6 mm, and the distance S2 between the retaining pin recess 424 and the right boundary line 426 is 2.8 mm to 3.1 mm. The anvil portion 42 has a uniform width everywhere in the second direction D2, that is, the anvil portion 42 has the same width at its top and bottom (for example, at one end and the other end in the second direction D2).

[0071] With continued reference to FIG. 9, a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the left side of the staple-forming recesses 423 has a first width W1 (the first width W1 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 423 and the left boundary line 425 of the tissue contacting surface), a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the right side of the staple-forming recesses 423 has a second width W2 (the second width W2 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 423 and the right boundary line 426 of the tissue contacting surface), and the first width W1 is greater than or equal to the second width W2. In particular, in some embodiments, the first width W1 is 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm, and the second width W2 is 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. The dimension of the extension section 4221 of the cap portion 422 in the second direction D2 is greater than or equal to 5.3 mm, preferably 5.3 mm to 5.9 mm. The maximum width of the tissue contacting surface is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm, preferably 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the connecting region 44 between the anvil portion 42 and the connecting section 43 is also formed as a protrusion or a step.

[0073] Except for where otherwise stated, the description of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5 is equally applicable to the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, and for the sake of simplicity will not be repeated.

[0074] FIGS. 10-13G show another embodiment according to the present invention. The cap portion 522 has a cap portion body on the top side of the anvil plate 521 and an extension section 5221 extending downward from the cap portion body. The anvil plate 521 has a part 5211 extending in a third direction to cover the surface of the extension section 5221 facing the staple cartridge mounted on the mounting part 51, so that the tissue contacting surface is completely defined by the anvil plate 521. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the extension section 5221, which is substantially perpendicular to the third direction D3, is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches the side wall 527 of the anvil portion body in the direction away from the cap portion body and terminates at the side wall 527 of the anvil portion body.

[0075] The anvil plate 521 alone constitutes the tissue contacting surface, and the extension section 5221 of the cap portion is used for supporting part of the tissue contacting surface. The left half region of the tissue contacting surface in which the retaining pin recess 524 is located is widened, so that the distance from the retaining pin recess 524 to the left boundary line 525 of the tissue contacting surface is also increased. Specifically, the anvil plate 521 itself is widened, and the widened part is supported by providing the extension section 5221 of the cap portion 522. In particular, the anvil portion 521 has a larger width in a region on the left side where the retaining pin recess 524 is located. However, since the retaining pin recess 524 is disposed eccentrically, the dimension of the retaining pin recess 524 from the left boundary line 525 may still be smaller than the dimension thereof from the right boundary line 526. For example, the distance SI between the retaining pin recess 524 and the left boundary line 525 is 1.3 mm to 1.6 mm, and the distance S2 between the retaining pin recess 524 and the right boundary line 526 is 2.8 mm to 3.1 mm. A surface of the cap portion body with which the anvil plate 521 is engaged, facing the staple cartridge, is flush with the surface of the anvil plate 521 facing the staple cartridge.

[0076] With continued reference to FIG. 12A, a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the left side of the staple-forming recesses 523 has a first width W 1 (the first width W 1 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 523 and the left boundary line 525 of the tissue contacting surface), a part of the tissue contacting surface located on the right side of the staple-forming recesses 523 has a second width W2 (the second width W2 being the minimum distance between the staple-forming recesses 523 and the right boundary line 526 of the tissue contacting surface), and the first width W1 is greater than or equal to the second width W2.

[0077] In particular, in some embodiments, the first width W1 is 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm, and the second width W2 is 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. The dimension of the extension section 5221 of the cap portion 522 in the second direction D2 is greater than or equal to 5.3 mm, preferably 5.3 mm to 5.9 mm. The maximum width of the tissue contacting surface is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm, preferably 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Specific forms of the anvil portion 521 are shown in FIGS. 12B-12H. With continued reference to FIG. 12A, in addition to an annular part similar to that shown in FIG. 5, the chamfered feature structure 5241 of the outer periphery of the retaining pin recess 524 has a rectangular part disposed proximally to the left side (i.e., the side on which the anvil plate 521 is widened) of the retaining pin recess 524. The widened anvil plate 521 and the chamfered feature structure 5241 having a rectangular part can be used together to improve the fault tolerance of retaining pin orientation, facilitating the guidance of the retaining pin offset to the left of the retaining pin recess 524 into the retaining pin recess 524.

[0078] Except where otherwise stated, the description of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5 is equally applicable to the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12H, and for the sake of simplicity will not be repeated.

[0079] The present invention provides a surgical stapler capable of allowing as much as possible for a positional offset when firing the retaining pin. For example, even if the retaining pin is not accurately received by the retaining pin recess, the end portion of the retaining pin abuts against the additional region of the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion, without missing the anvil portion and entering the tissue. The additional region of the tissue contacting surface may be formed by or supported by the extension section of the cap portion. The retaining pin abuts against the increased tissue contacting surface, thereby applying a distally directed counter-pushing force to the anvil. The movement of actuation of the anvil portion and the staple cartridge toward the closed configuration is blocked, or the anvil portion and cartridge cannot be actuated to the closed configuration, which can enable an operator to perceive abnormal actuation of a guide pin. In addition, the retaining pin abutting against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion may be returned to the retaining pin recess with subsequent slight shaking or a similar operation, to allow for subsequent surgical procedures.

[0080] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined only by the claims. Reference in the present specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” etc., means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment s) is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment”, or the like appearing in the present specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Therefore, specific features, structures, or characteristics shown or described in conjunction with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments, and modifications and variations therefrom also fall within the scope of the present invention, if there is no conflict.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A surgical stapler (100), comprising a handle assembly (20) for an operator to hold and an end effector (30) located at a distal end of the handle assembly in a first direction (DI), the end effector comprising an anvil portion (32) and a staple cartridge configured to be movable relative to each other in the first direction between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the anvil portion (32) being formed having an elongated shape extending in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (DI), wherein: the surgical stapler is configured to fire surgical staples in the staple cartridge towards the anvil portion (32); a staple-forming recess (323) for receiving and shaping the surgical staple and a retaining pin recess (324) for receiving a retaining pin provided on the staple cartridge are formed in a tissue contacting surface of the anvil portion (32) facing a proximal side, and the anvil portion (32) comprises an anvil portion body and a cap portion (322) located at an end portion of the anvil portion body, wherein the staple-forming recess (323) has a center line (X) extending in the second direction, the retaining pin recess (324) is offset to one side with respect to the center line, and the cap portion (322) has an extension section (3221) extending along a side wall of the anvil portion body on the one side of the anvil portion body.

2. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a dimension (S4) of the extension section of the cap portion in the second direction is greater than or equal to 5.3 mm.

3. The surgical stapler according to claim 2, wherein the dimension (S4) of the extension section of the cap portion in the second direction is 5.3 mm to 5.9 mm.

4. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a maximum width (S3) of the tissue contacting surface is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm.

5. The surgical stapler according to claim 4, wherein the maximum width (S3) of the tissue contacting surface is 7.0 mm to 8.0 mm.

6. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the cap portion (322) comprises a cap portion body (3222) located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction, the cap portion body having a width that tapers in a direction away from the staple-forming recess, and a dimension of the cap portion body in the first direction also tapering in the direction away from the staple-forming recess.

7. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the anvil portion (32) comprises a support member, the support member comprising a support body mounted in the anvil portion body and the cap portion (322) exposed to the outside, the support member being made of plastic, and a part of the anvil portion other than the support member being made of stainless steel.

8. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a trigger for operably firing the surgical staple is provided on the handle assembly (20), and a retaining pin operating component for operably firing the retaining pin is provided on the end effector (30).

9. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein a chamfered feature structure for guiding the retaining pin into the retaining pin recess is formed on the periphery of the retaining pin recess.

10. The surgical stapler according to claim 9, wherein the chamfered feature structure comprises a continuous annular part surrounding the retaining pin recess.

11. The surgical stapler according to claim 9, wherein the chamfered feature structure comprises a rectangular part provided only on the one side of the retaining pin recess.

12. The surgical stapler according to claim 1, wherein the extension section (3221) and a surface of the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge together constitute the tissue contacting surface.

13. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the extension section (3221) and the anvil portion body have a same dimension in the first direction, and respective surfaces of the extension section (3221) and the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge are flush.

14. The surgical stapler according to claim 13, wherein the cap portion (322) comprises a cap portion body (3222) located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction (D2), and an outer surface (3221a) of the extension section (3221) substantially perpendicular to a third direction is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches a side wall of the anvil portion body in a direction away from the cap portion body and terminates at the side wall of the anvil portion body.

15. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein a surface of the extension section (4221) facing the staple cartridge is further away from the staple cartridge relative to a surface of the anvil portion body facing the staple cartridge.

16. The surgical stapler according to claim 15, wherein the extension section (4221) is a flat plate structure having a uniform width.

17. The surgical stapler according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the anvil portion body comprises an anvil plate (521) having the staple-forming recess, and the anvil plate (521) has a part extending in a third direction (D3) to cover a surface of the extension section (5221) facing the staple cartridge, so that the tissue contacting surface is completely defined by the anvil plate (521).

18. The surgical stapler according to claim 17, wherein the cap portion (522) comprises a cap portion body (5222) located on one side of the anvil portion body in the second direction (D2), and an outer surface of the extension section (5221) substantially perpendicular to the third direction is formed as an arc-shaped surface that gradually approaches a side wall of the anvil portion body in a direction away from the cap portion body and terminates at the side wall of the anvil portion body.

19. The surgical stapler according to claim 18, wherein a surface of the cap portion body (5222) with which the anvil plate (521) is engaged, facing the staple cartridge, is flush with a surface of the anvil plate (521) facing the staple cartridge.

Images