Stapling device with deployable knife

Abstract

A stapling device includes a staple cartridge with an actuation sled and knife assembly that includes an actuation sled, a biasing member, and a knife that is pivotably supported on the actuation sled for movement between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. The biasing member is secured to a bottom surface of the actuation sled and is positioned to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position.

Description

STAPLING DEVICE WITH DEPLOYABLE KNIFECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 663,247, filed June 24, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This technology is generally related to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly, to surgical stapling devices including a staple cartridge with a deployable knife.BACKGROUND

[0003] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are well known and commonly used during surgical procedures to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery times. Typically, endoscopic stapling devices include a tool assembly and a drive assembly that is movable in relation to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly. The drive assembly includes a knife bar having a cutting blade for cutting tissue. The tool assembly includes anvil and cartridge assemblies that are coupled to each other by a pivot member and movable in relation to each other between open and clamped positions in response to movement of the drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that supports staples that are ejected from the staple cartridge also in response to movement of the drive assembly.

[0004] Some stapling devices include a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. Other stapling devices include a reload assembly that includes a staple cartridge and a drive assembly that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The use of a reload assembly has the benefit of including a new cutting blade for each firing of the stapling device to maintain the quality of cutting. The use of replaceable staple cartridges reduces the costs associated with a surgical procedure but generally requires reuse of the cutting blade. Repeated use of the same cutting blade may cause the cutting blade to become dull reducing the quality of cutting.

[0005] A continuing need exists for a staple cartridge having a knife or cutting blade that can be safely loaded into a stapling device.SUMMARY

[0006] This disclosure is directed to a stapling device having a staple cartridge that includes an actuation sled and knife assembly that includes an actuation sled, a biasing member, and a knife that is pivotably supported on the actuation sled for movement between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. The biasing member is secured to a bottom surface of the actuation sled and is positioned to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position.

[0007] According to aspects of the disclosure, a staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, pushers, and an actuation sled and knife assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot. The staples and pushers are received within the staple receiving pockets. The actuation sled and knife assembly is received within the cartridge body and is movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body. The actuation sled and knife assembly includes an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member. The knife is supported on the actuation sled and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. The actuation sled includes a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel. The center keel and the cam members extend upwardly from the top surface of the base wall. The bottom surface of the base wall defines an elongate biasing member recess, and the biasing member is received within the biasing member recess and extends along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

[0008] In aspects of the disclosure, the actuation sled includes a distal extension, and the biasing member includes a U-shaped portion that extends about the distal extension.

[0009] In some aspects of the disclosure, the distal extension has a semi-circular profile.

[0010] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member recess includes transverse recess extensions, and the biasing member includes transverse extensions that are received within the transverse recess extensions.

[0011] In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member includes a detent and the top surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines a recess that receives the detent to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0012] In some aspects of the disclosure, the base wall of the actuation sled defines a pivot recess, and the knife includes a pivot member that is received within the pivot recess to pivotably couple the knife to the actuation sled.

[0013] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the knife includes a distal portion including a foot and a proximal portion including a cutting blade, the biasing member engaging the foot to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position.

[0014] In aspects of the disclosure, the proximal portion of the biasing member defines a U- shaped cavity that receives the foot.

[0015] In some aspects of the disclosure, the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines one or more pockets and the biasing member includes a base portion that includes one or more coupling members that are press-fit into the one or more pockets in the base wall of the actuation sled to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0016] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the one or more coupling members are C-shaped.

[0017] In aspects of the disclosure, the one or more coupling members include four spaced tabs.

[0018] In some aspects of the disclosure, the one or more coupling members include a single tab.

[0019] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member includes a U-shaped spring arm having a first portion that extends distally from the base portion along the elongate biasing member recess and a second portion that bends about the distal extension of the actuation sled and extends proximally from the distal extension to a position beneath a foot of the knife.

[0020] Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to an actuation sled and knife assembly that includes an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member. The knife is supported on the actuation sled and is movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. The actuation sled includes a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel. The center keel and the cam members extend upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, and the bottom surface of the base wall defines an elongate biasing member recess. The biasing member is received within the biasing member recess and extends along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

[0021] Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and a tool assembly. The adapter assembly has a proximal portion coupled to the handle assembly and a distal portion spaced from the handle assembly. The tool assembly is supported on the distal portion of the adapter assembly and includes an anvil anda cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is movable in relation to the anvil between an open position and a clamped position and includes a channel member and a staple cartridge supported within the channel member. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, staples, pushers, and an actuation sled and knife assembly. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot. The staples and pushers are received within the staple receiving pockets. The actuation sled and knife assembly is received within the cartridge body and movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body. The actuation sled and knife assembly includes an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member. The knife is supported on the actuation sled and is movable between a nondeployed position and a deployed position. The actuation sled includes a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel. The center keel and the cam members extend upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, and the bottom surface of the base wall defines an elongate biasing member recess. The biasing member is received within the biasing member recess and extends along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

[0022] Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a stapling device according to aspects of the disclosure with a tool assembly of the stapling device in an open position;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the tool assembly in the open position;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded, side perspective view of a distal portion of the stapling device including the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2 and a distal portion of a drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a proximal portion of the tool assembly and the distal portion of the drive assembly with all the components shown in phantom except an actuation sled and knife assembly of a staple cartridge of the tool assembly and the drive assembly;

[0028] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view from below of an actuation sled assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 3;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a top, perspective view from the proximal end of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 5 with the knife of the actuation sled and knife assembly in a non-deploy ed position;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a bottom, perspective view from the proximal end of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 5 with the knife of the actuation sled and knife assembly in the nondeployed position;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a top, perspective view from the distal end of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 5 with a knife of the actuation sled and knife assembly in the non-deployed position;

[0032] FIG. 9 is top, perspective view from the proximal end of an actuation sled of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 8;

[0033] FIG. 10 is bottom, perspective view from the proximal end of the actuation sled shown in FIG. 8;

[0034] FIG. 11 is side perspective view of a knife of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 8;

[0035] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 8;

[0036] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the distal portion of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 3;

[0037] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14 of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 14;

[0039] FIG. 16 is a bottom, perspective view from the distal end of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 15 with the knife in the non-deployed position;

[0040] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the tool assembly with the tool assembly in a clamped position, partially fired position as the knife moves from a non-deployed position towards a deployed position;

[0041] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the tool assembly with the tool assembly in a clamped position, partially fired position with the knife in the deployed position;

[0042] FIG. 18 is a botom, perspective view from the distal end of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 17 with the knife in the deployed position;

[0043] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the tool assembly taken along the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly as the drive assembly is moved from an advanced position towards a retracted position as the drive assembly disengages from the actuation sled and knife assembly and the knife moves from the deployed position towards the non-deploy ed position;

[0044] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the tool assembly taken along the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly as the drive assembly is moved towards the retracted position with the knife in the non-deployed position;

[0045] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of an alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0046] FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled and biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 21 with parts separated;

[0047] FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled and biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 21 assembled;

[0048] FIG. 24 is a side view of the biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly;

[0049] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the actuation sled and knife assembly with the knife in a non-deployed position;

[0050] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 25;

[0051] FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of another alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0052] FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled and biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 27 with parts separated;

[0053] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the biasing member of the actuation sled and knife assembly shown in FIG. 27;

[0054] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 30-30 of FIG. 27;

[0055] FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 30;

[0056] FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled and biasing member of another alternate version of actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the actuation sled and biasing member shown in FIG. 32 with parts separated;

[0058] FIG. 34 is a side perspective view of the biasing member shown in FIG. 33;

[0059] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 35-35 of FIG. 32;

[0060] FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 35;

[0061] FIG. 37 is a top perspective view from the proximal end of an alternate version of the actuation sled of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

[0062] FIG. 38 is a top perspective view from the distal end of the actuation sled shown in FIG. 37 in the assembled state;

[0063] FIG. 39 is a perspective, cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of a body of the actuation sled shown in FIG. 37 with the body separated from a center keel of the actuation sled;

[0064] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 40-40 of FIG. 37 as the center keel of the actuation sled is secured to the body of the actuation sled;

[0065] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 41-41 of FIG. 37 with the center keel of the actuation sled is secured to the body of the actuation sled;

[0066] FIG. 42 is a top perspective view of another alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0067] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 43-43 of FIG. 42;

[0068] FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 44-44 of FIG. 43;

[0069] FIG. 45 is a perspective, cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of a body of the actuation sled shown in FIG. 42 with a body of the actuation sled separated from a center keel of the actuation sled; and

[0070] FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 46-46 of FIG. 43.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that disclosed aspects of the surgical stapling device are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosurein unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0072] In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician during use of the device in its customary fashion, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician during use of the device in its customary fashion. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and support personnel.

[0073] The disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device that includes a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge that includes an actuation sled and knife assembly including an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member. The knife is pivotably coupled to the actuation sled and includes a knife blade that is movable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position in response to advancement of a drive member of the stapling device from a drive retracted position to a drive advanced position. The biasing member is secured to the actuation sled and is positioned to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position in which the knife blade is shielded by a body of the staple cartridge.

[0074] FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 that includes a handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14 extending distally from the handle assembly 12, and a tool assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is powered and includes a stationary handgrip 18 and actuation buttons 20. The actuation buttons 20 are operable to actuate various functions of the tool assembly 16 via the adapter assembly 14 including approximation of the tool assembly 16 and stapling and cutting of tissue “T” (FIG. 16). In certain aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports batteries and control circuitry (not shown) that provide power and control operation of the handle assembly 12 to operate the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as a powered stapling device, it is envisioned that the advantages of this disclosure are suitable for use with manually powered stapling devices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Patent No. 9,055,943 discloses a stapling device including apowered handle assembly and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,865,361 and 6,241,139 disclose stapling devices with manually actuated handle assemblies.

[0075] The adapter assembly 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. The proximal portion 14a of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the handle assembly 12, and the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the tool assembly 16.

[0076] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the tool assembly 16 which includes a cartridge assembly 30, an anvil 32, and a mounting assembly 34 (FIG. 3). The mounting assembly 34 is pivotably coupled to the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 and supports the tool assembly 16 to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly 16 in relation to the adapter assembly 14 about an articulation axis “Z” (FIG. 1). In aspects of the disclosure, the mounting assembly 34 includes a first mounting member 34a and a second mounting member 34b that are secured together to define a longitudinal slot 36 (FIG. 3) that facilitates passage of a drive assembly 110 (FIG. 13) as described below.

[0077] In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly 30 is pivotably supported on the mounting assembly 34 by pivot pins 22 (FIG. 4) and the anvil 32 is fixedly supported to the mounting assembly 34 such that the cartridge assembly 30 pivots in relation to the anvil 32 between an open position and a clamped position. It is envisioned that the anvil 32 could be coupled to the mounting assembly 34 to pivot in relation to the cartridge assembly 30.

[0078] The cartridge assembly 30 includes a channel member 40 and a staple cartridge 42. The channel member 40 includes side walls 44 and a bottom wall 46 that define a cavity 40a. The staple cartridge 42 is removably received within the cavity 40a of the channel member 40 and is replaceable after each firing of the stapling device 10 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. Each of the side walls 44 of the channel member 40 has an upper end that defines a recess 48, and the bottom wall 44 of the channel member 40 defines a longitudinally extending internal channel 50 that communicates with the cavity 40a via an elongate slot 50a. The elongate slot 50a is in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal slot 36 of the mounting assembly 34.

[0079] The staple cartridge 42 includes a cartridge body 52, staples 54, staple pushers 56, and an actuation sled and knife assembly 58. The cartridge body 52 defines a knife slot 60 and staple receiving pockets 62 that are positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot 60. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple receiving pockets 62 are aligned in two or more rows on opposite sides of the knife slot 60. In some aspects of the disclosure, the knife slot 60 is centrally positioned in thecartridge body 52 and is longitudinally aligned with the elongate slot 50a in the bottom wall 46 of the channel member 40. The staples 54 and the pushers 56 are received within the staple receiving pockets 62 of the cartridge body 52.

[0080] FIGS. 5-12 illustrate the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) which includes an actuation sled 64, a knife 66, and a biasing member 68. The actuation sled 64 includes a base wall 70 (FIG. 10), a center keel 72 that extends upwardly from the base wall 70, and cam members 74 that extend upwardly from the base wall 70 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 72. The center keel 72 of the actuation sled 64 is received within the knife slot 60 (FIG. 4) of the cartridge body 52 to guide the actuation sled 64 through the cartridge body 52 when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired. The cam members 74 are positioned to engage the staple pushers 56 as the actuation sled 64 moves through the cartridge body 52 from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position to eject the staples 54 from the staple receiving pockets 62. In aspects of the disclosure, the cam members 74 include cam surfaces that include a first portion 74a that has a steep profile and a second portion 74b that has a more gradual profile. Other cam member configurations are envisioned.

[0081] The base wall 70 (FIG. 10) of the actuation sled 64 defines a longitudinal slot 76 that extends through the base wall 70 proximally of the center keel 72. The longitudinal slot 76 in the base wall 70 of the actuation sled 64 receives the knife 66 to facilitate pivotable movement of the knife 66 from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The base wall 70 of the actuation sled 64 also defines a pivot recess 78 (FIG. 10) and a biasing member recess 80 and includes a distal extension 82. The pivot recess 78 and the biasing member recess 80 open onto a bottom surface 84 (FIG. 5) of the actuation sled 64, and the distal extension 82 has a semi-circular profile (FIG. 8).

[0082] FIG. 11 illustrates the knife 66 of the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 which is pivotably supported on the actuation sled 64 and includes a distal portion having a foot 86 and a pivot member 88, a proximal portion having a cutting blade 90, and a central portion 92 connecting the distal portion of the knife 66 to the proximal portion of the knife 66. The foot 86 is positioned distally of the pivot member 88. When the knife 66 is coupled to the actuation sled 64, the pivot member 88 of the knife 66 is received within the pivot recess 78 of the actuation sled 64 and the foot 86 is received within a proximal portion of the biasing member recess 80 of the actuation sled 64. The proximal portion of the knife 66 includes a guard 94 that extends distally over the cuttingblade 90. In aspects of the disclosure, the foot 86 includes a curved outer surface 86a that is positioned to be engaged by the biasing member 68. In aspects of the disclosure, the central portion 92 of the knife 66 includes a bend 92a (FIG. 11) that allows the cutting blade 90 to be positioned over and in alignment with the center keel 72 of the actuation sled 64 such that the cutting blade 90 is received within the knife slot 60 of the cartridge body 52 of the staple cartridge 42.

[0083] FIG. 12 illustrates the biasing member 68 of the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 which is formed from a resilient material, e.g., spring steel, and is received within the biasing member recess 80 (FIG. 10) of the actuation sled 64. The biasing member 68 includes a distal portion 68a, a central portion 68b, and a proximal portion 68c. The central portion 68b of the biasing member 68 connects the distal portion 68a of the biasing member 68 to the proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 and defines a longitudinal axis. The proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 is U-shaped and defines a cavity 96 (FIG. 12) that receives the foot 86 of the knife 66 to bias the foot 86 of the knife 66 in a direction to urge the knife 66 towards the nondeployed position. As described above, the foot 86 of the knife 66 has a curved outer surface 86a that allows the foot 86 to pivot in relation to the biasing member 68 as the knife 66 pivots between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. In aspects of the disclosure, the proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 angles or bends downwardly from the longitudinal axis defined by the central portion 68b of the biasing member 68 towards the channel member 40 (FIG. 15).

[0084] The distal portion 68a of the biasing member 68 is U-shaped and receives the distal extension 82 of the actuation sled 64 to secure the biasing member 68 onto the actuation sled 64 in cantilevered fashion. In aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion 68a of the biasing member 68 includes a detent 98 that is received within a recess 100 defined within the base wall 70 of the actuation sled 64 to further secure the biasing member 68 to the actuation sled 64. In some aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member 68 includes transverse extensions 102 that are received within transverse recess extensions 104 of the biasing member recess 80 to prevent the biasing member 68 from sliding longitudinally off the distal end of the actuation sled 64.

[0085] FIG. 13 illustrates a distal portion of a drive assembly 110 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) which includes a flexible drive beam 112 and a working member 114. In aspects of the disclosure, the flexible drive beam 112 includes stacked sheets 112a of material that have distal ends secured to the working member 114. In some aspects of the disclosure, the distal end of the flexible beam 112 defines a dove-tail recess 116 and the working member 114 includes a dove-tailprojection 118 that is received within the dove-tail recess 116 of the flexible beam 112 to secure the flexible beam 112 to the working member 114.

[0086] The working member 114 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 120, a second beam 122, and a vertical strut 124 that secures the first beam 120 to the second beam 122 at a fixed distance from each other. One side of the vertical strut 124 defines a recess 126 and includes a cam surface 128 that angles upwardly towards the first beam 120 in the proximal direction. The recess 126 receives the proximal portion of the knife 66 when the knife 66 moves from the non-deploy ed position to the deployed position (FIG. 17). The first beam 120 is positioned above the recess 126 and includes a distal projection 120a that extends downwardly from the first beam 120 towards the second beam 122. The distal projection 120a includes an angled distal face 120b that directs tissue downwardly towards the cutting blade 90 of the knife 66 when the stapling device 10 is fired.

[0087] The drive assembly 110 is movable through the tool assembly 16 from a drive retracted position, through a drive clamped position, to a drive advanced position to advance the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 through the cartridge body 52 from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position. In the drive clamped position of the drive assembly 110, the working member 114 is advanced to a position to move the tool assembly 16 from the unclamped position to the clamped position while the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 remains in the sled retracted position. As the drive assembly 110 moves through the tool assembly 16 from the drive retracted position to the drive clamped position, the first beam 120 of the working member 114 engages the anvil 32 and the second beam 122 of the working member 114 engages an angled cam surface 130 (FIG. 15) formed on the proximal portion of the channel member 40 of the cartridge assembly 30 to move the tool assembly 16 from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

[0088] FIGS. 14-16 illustrate the tool assembly 16 in the unclamped position with the drive assembly 110 in the drive retracted position, the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 in the sled retracted position, and the knife 66 in the non-deployed position. The proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 is engaged with the foot 86 of the knife 66 to retain the knife 66 in the nondeployed position. In the non-deployed position, the cutting blade 90 of the knife 66 is shielded within the cartridge body 52 of the staple cartridge 42.

[0089] FIGS. 16A-18 illustrate the proximal portion of the tool assembly 16 in the clamped position. When the drive assembly 110 moves in the direction indicated by arrow “A” towards thedrive clamped position, the first beam 120 of the working member 114 engages the anvil 32 and the second beam 122 engages the angled cam surface 130 formed on the channel member 40 to pivot the cartridge assembly 30 towards the anvil 32 in the direction indicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 17 to move the tool assembly 16 to the clamped position. As the drive assembly 110 moves towards the drive clamped position in the direction of arrow “A”, the distal end of the vertical strut 124 of the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 engages the proximal portion of the knife 66 to pivot the cutting blade 90 of the knife 66 upwardly in the direction indicated by arrows “B” to the deployed position. As the knife 66 pivots to the deployed position, the proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 bends downwardly in the direction of arrows “D”. In the deployed position, the portion of the knife 66 including the cutting blade 90 is received within the recess 126 defined in the strut 124.

[0090] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a distal portion of the tool assembly 16 as the drive assembly 110 moves from the drive advanced position towards the drive retracted position in the direction indicated by arrows “E”. When the drive assembly 110 moves from the drive advanced position, the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 remains in the sled advanced position and the working member 114 of the drive assembly 110 disengages from the knife 66. As the working member 114 disengages from the knife 66, the distal projection 120a on the working member 114 engages the knife 66 to pivot the knife 66 from the deployed position back towards the non-deployed position shielded within the cartridge body 52 of the staple cartridge 42. The proximal portion 68c of the biasing member 68 remains engaged with the foot 86 of the knife 66 to retain the knife in the nondeployed position as the drive assembly 110 returns to the drive retracted position.

[0091] FIGS. 21-26 illustrate an alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) shown generally as actuation sled and knife assembly 258. The actuation sled and knife assembly 258 includes an actuation sled 264, a knife 266, and a biasing member 268. The actuation sled 264 is like the actuation sled 64 (FIG. 5) and includes a base wall 270 (FIG. 22), a center keel 272 that extends upwardly from the base wall 270, and cam members 274 that extend upwardly from the base wall 270 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 272. The center keel 272 of the actuation sled 264 defines a pivot recess (not shown) and is received within the knife slot 60 (FIG. 4) of the cartridge body 52 to guide the actuation sled 264 through the cartridge body 52 when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired. The cam members 274 are positioned to engage the staple pushers 56 (FIG. 4) of the staple cartridge 42 as the actuationsled 264 moves through the cartridge body 52 from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position to eject the staples 54 (FIG. 4) from the staple receiving pockets 62 of the cartridge body 52 (FIG. 4). In aspects of the disclosure, the cam members 274 each include cam surfaces that include a first portion 274a that has a steep profile and a second portion 274b that has a more gradual profile. Other cam member configurations are envisioned.

[0092] The base wall 270 (FIG. 22) of the actuation sled 264 defines a longitudinal slot or cutout 276 that extends through the base wall 270 proximally of the center keel 272. The longitudinal slot 276 in the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 receives the knife 266 to facilitate pivotable movement of the knife 266 from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 also defines biasing member recess 280 and a pair of pockets 281 and includes a distal extension 282. The biasing member recess 280 has a rectangular shaped portion 280a that is formed in a central portion of the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 and an elongate channel portion 280b that has a width smaller than the width of the rectangular shaped portion 280a. The pair of pockets 281 are positioned within the rectangular shaped portion 280a of the biasing member recess 280 and open onto a bottom surface 284 (FIG. 22) of the actuation sled 264. The distal extension 282 has a semi-circular profile (FIG. 22) and is longitudinally aligned with the elongate channel portion 280b of the biasing member recess 280.

[0093] The knife 266 (FIG. 25) of the actuation sled and knife assembly 258 is pivotably supported on the actuation sled 264 and includes a distal portion having a foot 286, a proximal portion having a cutting blade 290, and a central portion 292 having a pivot member 288. The foot 286 is positioned distally of the pivot member 288 and the cutting blade 290 is positioned proximally of the pivot member 288. When the knife 266 is coupled to the actuation sled 264, the pivot member 288 of the knife 266 is received within the pivot recess (not shown) defined in the center keel 272 of the actuation sled 264 and the foot 286 is positioned adjacent to the center keel 272. Although not shown, the central portion 292 of the knife 266 can include a bend (not shown), like bend 92a (FIG. 11), that allows the cutting blade 290 to be positioned over and in alignment with the center keel 272 of the actuation sled 264 such that the width of the knife slot 60 (FIG. 4) of the cartridge body 52 of the staple cartridge 42 (FIG. 4) can be minimized.

[0094] The biasing member 268 (FIG. 22) of the actuation sled and knife assembly 258 is formed from a resilient material, e.g., spring steel, and is received within the biasing member recess 280 (FIG. 22) of the actuation sled 264. The biasing member 268 includes a base portion 294 anda U-shaped spring arm 296. The base portion 294 of the biasing member 268 is secured within the rectangular shaped portion 280a of the biasing member recess 280 on the bottom surface 284 (FIG. 5) of the actuation sled 264. The spring arm 296 includes a first portion 296a that extends distally from the base portion 294 along the elongate channel portion 280b and a second portion 296b that bends about the distal extension 282 of the actuation sled 264 and extends proximally from the distal extension 282 to a position beneath the foot 286 of the knife 266.

[0095] In aspects of the disclosure, the base portion 294 of the biasing member 268 is fork shaped and includes two spaced tines 294a that include C-shaped coupling members 298. Each of the coupling members 298 includes spaced proximal and distal walls 298a and 298b, respectively. The distal wall 298b defines an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the spring arm 296 and the proximal wall 298a is angled proximally in relation to the axis defined by the distal wall 298b to define an angle > (FIG. 24) of from about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees with respect to the axis defined by the distal wall 298b. The coupling members 298 of the biasing member 266 are press-fit into the pair of pockets 281 formed in the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 to secure the biasing member 268 to the bottom surface 284 of the actuation sled 266. When the coupling members 298 are press-fit into the pair of pockets 281 in the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264, the proximal wall 298a is plastically deformed in the direction of arrow “F” in FIG. 26 to secure the coupling members 298 within the pair of pockets 281.

[0096] When the biasing member 268 is secured to the actuation sled 264, the second portion 296b of the biasing member 268 is positioned between the foot 286 of the knife 266 and the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 to urge the knife 266 in the direction indicated by arrow “G” in FIG. 25 towards the non-deployed position. The actuation sled and knife assembly 258 functions in a manner like the actuation sled and knife assembly 58 described above and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0097] FIGS. 27-31 illustrate another alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) shown generally as actuation sled and knife assembly 358. The actuation sled and knife assembly 358 includes an actuation sled 364, a knife (not shown), and a biasing member 368 and is like the actuation sled and knife assembly 258 except for changes to the base portion 394 of the biasing member 368 and associated changes to the actuation sled 364. These changes are described below.

[0098] The actuation sled 364 includes a base wall 370 (FIG. 28), a center keel 372 (FIG. 30) that extends upwardly from the base wall 370, and cam members 374 that extend upwardly from the base wall 370 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 372. The center keel 372 of the actuation sled 364 includes a notch 372a (FIG. 30) is received within the knife slot 60 (FIG. 4) of the cartridge body 52 to guide the actuation sled 364 through the cartridge body 52 when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired. The cam members 374 are positioned to engage the staple pushers 56 (FIG. 4) of the staple cartridge 42 as the actuation sled 364 moves through the cartridge body 52 from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position to eject the staples 54 (FIG. 4) from the staple receiving pockets 62 of the cartridge body 52 (FIG. 4).

[0099] The base wall 370 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled 364 defines a longitudinal slot or cutout 376 that extends through the base wall 370 proximally of the center keel 372. The longitudinal slot 376 in the base wall 370 of the actuation sled 364 receives a knife, e.g., the knife 266 (FIG. 25), to facilitate pivotable movement of the knife 266 from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The base wall 370 of the actuation sled 364 defines biasing member recess 380, pockets 381, and a central bore 383 that opens onto the actuation sled 364 at a position to one side of the center keel 372. The actuation sled 364 also includes a distal extension 382. The biasing member recess 380 has a rectangular shaped portion 380a that is formed in a central portion of the base wall 370 of the actuation sled 364 and an elongate channel portion 380b that has a width smaller than the width of the rectangular shaped portion 380a. The pockets 381 are positioned in each corner of the rectangular shaped portion 380a of the biasing member recess 380 and open onto a bottom surface 384 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled 364. In aspects of the disclosure, the pockets are defined by inwardly tapered side walls 381a. The distal extension 382 has a semicircular profile (FIG. 28) and is longitudinally aligned with the elongate channel portion 380b of the biasing member recess 380.

[0100] The biasing member 368 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled and knife assembly 358 is formed from a resilient material, e.g., spring steel, and is received within the biasing member recess 380 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled 364. The biasing member 368 includes a base portion 394 and a U-shaped spring arm 396. The base portion 394 of the biasing member 368 is secured within the rectangular shaped portion 380a of the biasing member recess 380 on the bottom surface 384 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled 364. The spring arm 396 includes a first portion 396a that extends distally from the base portion 394 along the elongate channel portion 380b and a second portion 396b thatbends about the distal extension 382 of the actuation sled 364 and extends proximally from the distal extension 382 to a position beneath one end of a knife, e.g., the foot 286 of the knife 266 (FIG. 25).

[0101] In aspects of the disclosure, the base portion 394 of the biasing member 368 includes four spaced outer tabs 398 that are positioned to be received within the pockets 381 formed in the base wall 370 of the actuation sled 364 and a centrally located finger 400 that is positioned to be received within the bore 383 in the actuation sled 364. The finger 400 includes a projection 400a that is configured to be received in snap-fit fashion within the notch 372a of the center keel 372. In aspects of the disclosure, the tabs 298 of the biasing member 368 are press-fit into the pockets 381 formed in the base wall 370 of the actuation sled 364 to secure the biasing member 368 to the bottom surface 384 of the actuation sled 364.

[0102] When the biasing member 368 is secured to the actuation sled 364, the second portion 396b of the biasing member 368 is positioned between the knife (not shown) and the actuation sled 364, e.g., the foot 286 of the knife 266 and the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 (FIG. 25), to urge the knife 266 towards the non-deployed position. The actuation sled and knife assembly 358 functions in a manner like the actuation sled and knife assemblies 58 and 258 described above and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0103] FIGS. 32-36 illustrate another alternate version of the actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) shown generally as actuation sled and knife assembly 458. The actuation sled and knife assembly 458 includes an actuation sled 464, a knife (not shown), and a biasing member 468. The actuation sled and knife assembly 458 is like the actuation sled and knife assemblies 58, 258, and 358 except for changes to the base portion 494 of the biasing member 468 and associated changes to the actuation sled 464. These changes are described below.

[0104] The actuation sled 464 includes a base wall 470 (FIG. 32), a center keel 472 (FIG. 35) that extends upwardly from the base wall 470, and cam members 474 that extend upwardly from the base wall 470 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 472. The center keel 472 of the actuation sled 464 is received within the knife slot 60 (FIG. 4) of the cartridge body 52 to guide the actuation sled 464 through the cartridge body 52 when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired. The cam members 474 are positioned to engage the staple pushers 56 (FIG. 4) of the staple cartridge 42 as the actuation sled 464 moves through the cartridge body 52 from the sled retractedposition towards the sled advanced position to eject the staples 54 (FIG. 4) from the staple receiving pockets 62 of the cartridge body 52 (FIG. 4).

[0105] The base wall 470 (FIG. 28) of the actuation sled 464 defines a longitudinal slot or cutout 476 that extends through the base wall 470 proximally of the center keel 472. The longitudinal slot 476 in the base wall 470 of the actuation sled 464 receives a knife, e.g., the knife 266 (FIG. 25), to facilitate pivotable movement of the knife from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The base wall 470 of the actuation sled 464 defines biasing member recess 480 and a bore or pocket 483. The actuation sled 464 also includes a distal extension 482. The biasing member recess 480 has a rectangular shaped portion 480a that is formed in a central portion of the base wall 470 of the actuation sled 464 and an elongate channel portion 480b that has a width smaller than the width of the rectangular shaped portion 480a. The bore 483 opens onto a bottom surface 484 (FIG. 32) of the actuation sled 464. The distal extension 482 has a semi-circular profile (FIG. 33) and is longitudinally aligned with the elongate channel portion 480b of the biasing member recess 480.

[0106] The biasing member 468 (FIG. 34) of the actuation sled and knife assembly 458 is formed from a resilient material, e.g., spring steel, and is received within the biasing member recess 480 (FIG. 33) of the actuation sled 464. The biasing member 468 includes a base portion 494 and a U-shaped spring arm 496. The base portion 494 of the biasing member 468 is secured within the rectangular shaped portion 480a of the biasing member recess 480 on the bottom surface 484 (FIG. 33) of the actuation sled 464. The spring arm 496 includes a first portion 496a that extends distally from the base portion 494 along the elongate channel portion 480b and a second portion 496b that bends about the distal extension 482 of the actuation sled 464 and extends proximally from the distal extension 482 to a position beneath one end of a knife, e.g., the foot 286 of the knife 266 (FIG. 25).

[0107] In aspects of the disclosure, the base portion 494 of the biasing member 468 includes a rectangular body 498 that is positioned to be received within the rectangular shaped portion 480a of the biasing member recess 480 in the base wall 470 of the actuation sled 464. The rectangular shaped portion 480 supports a tab 500 that is positioned to be received within the bore 483 in the actuation sled 464. In aspects of the disclosure, the tab 500 is press-fit into the bore 483 formed in the base wall 470 of the actuation sled 464 to secure the biasing member 468 to the bottom surface 484 of the actuation sled 464.

[0108] When the biasing member 468 is secured to the actuation sled 464, the second portion 496b of the spring arm 496 is positioned between the knife (not shown) and the actuation sled 464, e.g., the foot 286 of the knife 266 and the base wall 270 of the actuation sled 264 (FIG. 25), to urge the knife 466 towards the non-deployed position. The actuation sled and knife assembly 458 functions in a manner like the actuation sled and knife assemblies 58, 258, and 358 described above and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0109] In aspects of the disclosure, the actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464 described above can be of single piece construction and formed using a variety of different processes, e.g., molding, e.g., injection molding, or the like.

[0110] FIGS. 37-41 illustrate an alternate version of an actuation sled of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 shown generally as actuation sled 564. The actuation sled 564 is like the actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464 described above and includes a base wall 570 (FIG. 39), a center keel 572 that extends upwardly from the base wall 570, and cam members 574 that extend upwardly from the base wall 570 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 572. The actuation sled 564 differs from the previously described actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464 in that the center keel 572 of the actuation sled 564 is mechanically coupled to the base wall 570 of the actuation sled 564.

[0111] The base wall 570 of the actuation sled 564 defines a longitudinal slot 576 and supports a mount 578 that is positioned distally of the longitudinal slot 576 along the longitudinal axis of the actuation sled 564. The mount 578 extends upwardly from the base wall 570 of the actuation sled 564 to a position between the cam members 574 and includes an angled upper surface 580 that is spaced from the base wall 570 and slopes downwardly toward the base wall 570 in the distal direction. The mount 578 is positioned distally of the longitudinal slot 576 such that the base wall 570 of the actuation sled 564 forms a keel support surface 579 between the mount 578 and the longitudinal slot 576. It is envisioned that the base wall 570 and the cam members 574 can be integrally formed such as by molding. Although not shown in detail, the base wall 570 can include features described above with respect to the base wall of the actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464. For example, the base wall 570 can include a distal extension 582. The base wall 570 defines a pocket 584 that is longitudinally aligned with and positioned distally of the mount 578. In aspects of the disclosure, the pocket 584 is defined in part by an angled distal wall 586 that slopes downwardly in a direction towards the mount 578.

[0112] The center keel 572 includes a mounting portion 588 and a keel portion 590. The mounting portion 588 includes a hook portion 592 and an abutment member 593 that is positioned above the hook portion 592 and between the cam members 574 when the center keel 572 is coupled to the base wall 570. The abutment member 593 is provided to actuate a lockout mechanism not described herein. The hook portion 592 is received within the longitudinal slot 576 in the base wall 570 and defines a cavity 594 that receives the proximal portion of the base wall 570 when the center keel 572 is mounted to the base wall 570.

[0113] The keel portion 590 extends upwardly and distally from the mounting portion 588 and defines an elongate channel 596 that extends along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the actuation sled 564, i.e., a vertical axis as viewed in FIG. 39. The keel portion 590 includes a leg 598 that is positioned distally of the elongate channel 596 and includes a chamfered surface 600 (FIG. 39) at the lower end of the leg 598. The keel portion 590 includes a bearing surface 602 that is positioned between the upper end of the hook portion 592 and the lower end of the keel portion 590. The keel portion 590 is received within the knife slot of a staple cartridge as described above to guide the actuation sled 564 between the sled retracted and advanced positions when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired.

[0114] FIGS. 39-41 illustrate mechanical coupling of the center keel 572 to the base wall 570. To couple the center keel 572 to the base wall 570 of the actuation sled 564, the mounting portion of the center keel 572 is moved into the longitudinal slot 576 of the base wall 570 in the direction of arrow “H” in FIG. 39 until the hook portion 592 is positioned beneath the base wall 570. The center keel 572 is tilted as shown in FIG. 40 to position the hook portion 592 in engagement with the bottom surface 604 of the base wall 570 and the proximal portion of the base wall 570 is received within the cavity 594 defined by the hook portion 592. In this position, the chamfered surface 600 of the leg 598 is engaged with the angled upper surface 580 of the mount 576. The center keel 572 is now rotated in the direction indicated by arrow “I” in FIG. 40 to move the leg 598 of the center keel 572 into the pocket 584 defined in the base wall 570 and to move the bearing surface 602 of the center keel 572 onto the support surface 581 of the base wall 570. When the center keel 572 is secured to the base wall 570, the mount 578 is received within the channel 596 of the center keel 572. In aspects of the disclosure, the leg 598 of the center keel 572 can flex past the mount 578 and pivot in the direction of arrow “J” into the pocket 584 of the base wall 570 to secure the center keel to the base wall 570.

[0115] FIG. 41 illustrates the center keel 572 secured to the base wall 570. As illustrated, a portion of the elongate channel 596 defined by the center keel 572 above the mount 578 defines an opening for receiving the pivot member of a deployable knife (not shown). Providing an actuation sled 564 having a center keel 572 that is mechanically coupled to the base member 570 allows for the knife to be coupled to the base wall 570 with the center keel 572 to simplify manufacture of the actuation sled and knife assembly.

[0116] FIGS. 42-46 illustrate another alternate version of an actuation sled and knife assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 shown generally as actuation sled and knife assembly 658. The actuation sled and knife assembly 658 includes an actuation sled 664 that is like the actuation sled 564 described above and includes a base wall 670 (FIG. 43), a center keel 672 that extends upwardly from the base wall 670, and cam members 674 that extend upwardly from the base wall 670 and are positioned on opposite sides of the center keel 672. The actuation sled 664, like the actuation sled 564, differs from the previously described actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464 in that the center keel 672 of the actuation sled 664 is mechanically coupled to the base wall 670.

[0117] The base wall 670 of the actuation sled 664 defines a longitudinal slot 676 and supports a mount 678 that is positioned distally of the longitudinal slot 676 along the longitudinal axis of the actuation sled 664. The mount 678 extends upwardly from the base wall 670 of the actuation sled 664 to a position between the cam members 674. It is envisioned that the base wall 670 and the cam members 674 can be integrally formed such as by molding. Although not shown in detail, the base wall 670 can include features described above with respect to the base wall of the actuation sleds 64, 264, 364, and 464. For example, the base wall 670 can include a distal extension 682. The base wall 670 defines a through bore 684 (FIG. 45) that is longitudinally aligned the mount 678 and is positioned between the mount 678 and the longitudinal slot 676.

[0118] The center keel 672 includes a mounting portion 688 and a keel portion 690. The mounting portion 688 includes a body 692 that is configured to be received within the through bore 684 in the base wall 670 and includes a locking tab 694. The locking tab 694 projects outwardly from the body 692 in a locked position and is movable inwardly to an unlocked position in alignment with the body 692 to allow the body 692 to pass through the through bore 684 in the base wall 670. In aspects of the disclosure, the locking tab 694 has a lower end as viewed in FIG. 45 that is coupled to the body 692 of the mounting portion 688 by a living hinge 694a and is pivotable from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0119] The keel portion 690 extends upwardly and distally from the mounting portion 688 and defines an elongate channel 696 that extends along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the actuation sled 664, i.e., a vertical axis as viewed in FIG. 44. The keel portion 690 includes a leg 698 that is positioned distally of the elongate channel 696. The keel portion 690 is received within the knife slot of a staple cartridge as described above to guide the actuation sled 664 between the sled retracted position and the sled advanced position when the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired.

[0120] FIGS. 44-46 illustrate mechanical coupling of the center keel 672 to the base wall 670 of the actuation sled 664. To couple the center keel 672 to the base wall 670 of the actuation sled 664, the mounting portion 688 of the center keel 672 is moved into the through bore 684 of the base wall 670 in the direction of arrow “K” in FIG. 49. As the mounting portion 688 moves through the through bore 684 of the base wall 670 of the actuation sled 664, the locking tab 694 engages the base wall 670 and is pivoted inwardly to the unlocked position aligned with the body 692 of the keel portion 690 of the center keel 672. When the locking member 694 passes through the through bore 684 of the base wall 670, the locking tab 694 returns to the locked position to secure the center keel 672 to the base wall 670.

[0121] FIG. 43 illustrates the center keel 672 secured to the base wall 670 with a deployable knife 700 secured to the actuation sled 664. As illustrated, a portion of the elongate channel 696 defined by the center keel 672 extends above the mount 678 to define an opening 701 for receiving a pivot member 702 of the deployable knife 700. Providing an actuation sled 664 having a center keel 672 that is mechanically coupled to the base member 670 of the actuation sled 664 allows for the knife 700 to be coupled to the base wall 670 with the center keel 672 to simplify manufacture of the actuation sled and knife assembly 658.

[0122] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Also, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.

[0123] The following examples are illustrative of the techniques described herein.

[0124] Example 1. A staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot; staples and pushers received within the staple receiving pockets; and an actuation sled and knife assembly received within the cartridge body and movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the actuation sled and knife assembly including an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member, the knife supported on the actuation sled and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, the actuation sled including a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel, the center keel and the cam members extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, the bottom surface of the base wall defining an elongate biasing member recess, the biasing member received within the biasing member recess and extending along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

[0125] Example 2. The staple cartridge of example 1, wherein the actuation sled includes a distal extension, and the biasing member includes a U-shaped portion that extends about the distal extension.

[0126] Example 3. The staple cartridge of example 2, wherein the distal extension has a semi-circular profile.

[0127] Example 4. The staple cartridge of example 1, wherein the biasing member recess includes transverse recess extensions, and the biasing member includes transverse extensions that are received within the transverse recess extensions.

[0128] Example s. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a detent and the top surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines a recess that receives the detent to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0129] Example 6. The staple cartridge of example 1, wherein the base wall of the actuation sled defines a pivot recess, and the knife includes a pivot member that is received within the pivot recess to pivotably couple the knife to the actuation sled.

[0130] Example 7. The staple cartridge of example 6, wherein the knife includes a distal portion including a foot and a proximal portion including a cutting blade, the biasing member engaging the foot to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position.

[0131] Example 8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein the proximal portion of the biasing member defines a U-shaped cavity that receives the foot.

[0132] Example 9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines one or more pockets and the biasing member includes a base portion that includes one or more coupling members that are press-fit into the one or more pockets in the base wall of the actuation sled to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0133] Example 10. The staple cartridge of example 9, wherein the one or more coupling members are C-shaped.

[0134] Example 11. The staple cartridge of example 9, wherein the one or more coupling members include four spaced tabs.

[0135] Example 12. The staple cartridge of example 9, wherein the one or more coupling members include a single tab.

[0136] Example 13. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a U-shaped spring arm having a first portion that extends distally from the base portion along the elongate biasing member recess and a second portion that bends about the distal extension of the actuation sled and extends proximally from the distal extension to a position beneath a foot of the knife.

[0137] Example 14. An actuation sled and knife assembly comprising: an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member, the knife supported on the actuation sled and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, the actuation sled including a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel, the center keel and the cam members extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, the bottom surface of the base wall defining an elongate biasing member recess, the biasing member received within the biasing member recess and extending along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

[0138] Example 15. The actuation sled and knife assembly of example 14, wherein the actuation sled includes a distal extension, and the biasing member includes a U-shaped portion that extends about the distal extension.

[0139] Example 16. The actuation sled and knife assembly of example 15, wherein the distal extension has a semi-circular profile.

[0140] Example 17. The actuation sled and knife assembly of claim 14, wherein the biasing member includes a detent and the top surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines a recess that receives the detent to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0141] Example 18. The actuation sled and knife assembly of claim 14, wherein the base wall of the actuation sled defines a pivot recess, and the knife includes a pivot member that is received within the pivot recess to pivotably couple the knife to the actuation sled.

[0142] Example 19. The actuation sled and knife assembly of claim 14, wherein the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines one or more pockets and the biasing member includes a base portion that includes one or more coupling members that are press-fit into the one or more pockets in the base wall of the actuation sled to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

[0143] Example 20. A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly; an adapter assembly having a proximal portion coupled to the handle assembly and a distal portion spaced from the handle assembly; and a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the adapter assembly, the tool assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly movable in relation to the anvil between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a channel member and a staple cartridge supported within the channel member, the staple cartridge including: a cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot; staples and pushers received within the staple receiving pockets; and an actuation sled and knife assembly received within the cartridge body and movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the actuation sled and knife assembly including an actuation sled, a knife, and a biasing member, the knife supported on the actuation sled and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, the actuation sled including a base wall having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel, and cam members positioned on opposite sides of the center keel, the center keel and the cam members extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, the bottom surface of the base wall defining an elongate biasing member recess, the biasing member received within the biasing member recess and extending along the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body (52) defining a knife slot (60) and staple receiving pockets (62) positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot (60); staples (54) and pushers (56) received within the staple receiving pockets (62); and an actuation sled (64) and knife assembly (58) received within the cartridge body (52) and movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples (54) from the cartridge body (52), the actuation sled (64) and knife assembly (58) including an actuation sled (64), a knife (66), and a biasing member (68), the knife (66) supported on the actuation sled (64) and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, the actuation sled (64) including a base wall (70) having a bottom surface (84) and a top surface, a center keel (72), and cam members (74) positioned on opposite sides of the center keel (72), the center keel (72) and the cam members (74) extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall (70), the bottom surface (84) of the base wall (70) defining an elongate biasing member recess (80), the biasing member (68) received within the biasing member recess (80) and extending along the bottom surface (84) of the base wall (70) of the actuation sled (64).

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the actuation sled includes a distal extension, and the biasing member includes a U-shaped portion that extends about the distal extension.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein the distal extension has a semi-circular profile.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member recess includes transverse recess extensions, and the biasing member includes transverse extensions that are received within the transverse recess extensions.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a detent and the top surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines a recess that receives the detent to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the base wall of the actuation sled defines a pivot recess, and the knife includes a pivot member that is received within the pivot recess to pivotably couple the knife to the actuation sled.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein the knife includes a distal portion including a foot and a proximal portion including a cutting blade, the biasing member engaging the foot to urge the knife towards the non-deployed position.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein the proximal portion of the biasing member defines a U-shaped cavity that receives the foot.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the base wall of the actuation sled defines one or more pockets and the biasing member includes a base portion that includes one or more coupling members that are press-fit into the one or more pockets in the base wall of the actuation sled to secure the biasing member to the actuation sled.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein the one or more coupling members are C-shaped.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein the one or more coupling members include four spaced tabs.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein the one or more coupling members include a single tab.

13. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a U-shaped spring arm having a first portion that extends distally from the base portion along the elongate biasing member recess and a second portion that bends about the distal extension of the actuation sled and extends proximally from the distal extension to a position beneath a foot of the knife.

14. An actuation sled and knife assembly comprising: an actuation sled (64), a knife (66), and a biasing member (68), the knife (66)supported on the actuation sled (64) and movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, the actuation sled (64) including a base wall (70) having a bottom surface and a top surface, a center keel (72), and cam members (74) positioned on opposite sides of the center keel (72), the center keel (72) and the cam members (74) extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, the bottom surface of the base wall (70) defining an elongate biasing member recess (80), the biasing member (68) received within the biasing member recess (80) and extending along the bottom surface of the base wall (70) of the actuation sled (64).

15. The actuation sled and knife assembly of claim 14, wherein the actuation sled includes a distal extension, and the biasing member includes a U-shaped portion that extends about the distal extension.

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