Staple cartridge assembly and surgical stapler

Abstract

The present application provides a staple cartridge assembly and a surgical stapler. The staple cartridge assembly comprises: a first sleeve and a second sleeve, a distal end of the first sleeve being connected to a proximal end of the second sleeve, a proximal end of the first sleeve being configured to connect to an instrument platform of the surgical stapler, and lumens of the first sleeve and the second sleeve being in communication with each other and defining a sliding space; a connecting member, which can be driven to move axially in the sliding space; and a guide member, which extends within the sliding space, a distal end of the guide member being located in the second sleeve, and a proximal end of the guide member extending from the proximal end of the second sleeve and being located within the first sleeve, wherein the connecting member is driven to receive the guide member, and the guide member guides the connecting member to move axially from the first sleeve into the second sleeve. In the present application, the axially extending guide member is provided to guide the axial movement of the connecting member, which prevents possible rotational motion of the connecting member.

Description

Staple cartridge assembly and surgical stapler TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a staple cartridge assembly and a surgical stapler. BACKGROUND

[0002] The surgical stapler generally comprises a device platform, an end effector, and an elongated rod body for mounting the end effector to the distal end of the device platform. The device platform is provided with a power member, the elongated rod body is provided with a firing member, and a connecting member is arranged between the power member and the firing member for transmitting power. The connecting member can move in the axial direction of the stapler inside the elongated rod body. When the stapler is fired, the power member drives the firing member to move in the distal direction through the connecting member, and the firing member drives the end effector to perform a cutting and stapling action.

[0003] Smaller incisions and less invasive surgery is the development direction of surgical procedures. Taking a laparoscopic cutting stapler as an example, the diameter of the disposable and reloadable staple cartridge assembly of the elongated rod body of the laparoscopic cutting stapler on the market is mostly 12 mm, and the interface of the device platform assembled therewith is also 12 mm. When the diameter of the elongated rod body of the staple cartridge assembly is further reduced, in order to be compatible with the existing platform, a sleeve with a diameter of 12 mm is usually added to the staple cartridge assembly for adaptation. Therefore, there are two sleeves in the elongated rod body of the staple cartridge assembly, the outer diameter of the sleeve closer to the device platform is larger, and the outer diameter of the sleeve closer to the distal end effector is smaller. The guide structure of the connecting member in the prior art only provides guidance inside the large-diameter sleeve, which cannot meet the guidance requirements of the connecting member when moving between the two sleeves. When the connecting member is driven to enter the sleeve with a smaller outer diameter from the sleeve with a larger outer diameter, the connecting member may rotate unnecessarily, which affects the power transmission from the power member to the firing member, and further affects the surgical effect of the end effector. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the problems in the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a staple cartridge assembly and a surgical stapler, which can guide and constrain the axial movement of the connecting member between the two sleeves by arranging a guide member, so as to prevent the connecting member from rotating.

[0005] The present application provides a staple cartridge assembly for a surgical stapler, which comprises:

[0006] A first sleeve and a second sleeve, the distal end of the first sleeve is connected to the proximal end of the second sleeve, the proximal end of the first sleeve is used to connect the device platform of the surgical stapler, and the lumens of the first sleeve and the second sleeve are in communication with each other and define a sliding space;

[0007] A connecting member, which can be driven to move in the axial direction in the sliding space;

[0008] a guide member extending within the sliding space, a distal end of the guide member being located within the second sleeve and a proximal end of the guide member extending out of the proximal end of the second sleeve and being located within the first sleeve, wherein a driving connection member is connected to the guide member, the guide member guiding the connection member to move axially from the first sleeve into the second sleeve.

[0009] In some embodiments, the guide member is fixedly connected to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, respectively.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first fixing portion comprises a protruding portion, and the proximal end of the guide member is provided with a hole sleeved on the protruding portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, a second main body housing is arranged in the lumen of the second sleeve, and the second main body housing is provided with a second fixing portion connected to the distal end of the guide member.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second fixing portion comprises a groove, and the distal end of the guide member is embedded and fitted in the groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the guide member comprises an outer side away from the central axis, and a groove is arranged on the inner wall of the sliding space, and when the connection member is combined with the guide member, the connection member pushes the outer side to be embedded in the groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first groove is arranged on the side of the connection member facing the guide member, and when the connection member is combined with the guide member, the guide member is at least partially embedded and fitted in the first groove.

[0015] In some embodiments, the staple cartridge assembly further comprises an end swing driving member capable of being driven to move in the axial direction, the end swing driving member and the guide member are arranged on the transverse sides of the shaft center, respectively, a second groove is arranged on the side of the connection member facing the end swing driving member, and the end swing driving member is at least partially embedded and fitted in the second groove.

[0016] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the first sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the second sleeve.

[0017] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the second sleeve is less than or equal to 8 mm.

[0018] The embodiments of the present application also provide a surgical stapler, comprising an instrument platform and the above-mentioned staple cartridge assembly, the proximal end of the first sleeve of the staple cartridge assembly comprises a first connecting portion, the distal end of the instrument platform comprises a second connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are detachably connected.

[0019] The staple cartridge assembly and the surgical stapler provided by the present application have the following advantages:

[0020] By adopting the application, the axial movement of the connecting piece from the first sleeve into the second sleeve is guided by the guide arranged in the sliding space defined by the first sleeve and the second sleeve, so that the connecting piece does not rotate when moving in the sliding space, and the connecting piece can be kept stable movement by being guided and constrained by the guide during the process of entering the second sleeve from the first sleeve and after entering the second sleeve, so that the power from the instrument platform can be better transmitted to the firing piece, and the surgical effect of the end effector is improved.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[0023] It should be understood that the same or similar reference signs are used to represent the same or similar elements in the drawings.

[0024] It should be understood that the drawings are only schematic and the sizes and proportions of the elements in the drawings are not necessarily precise.

[0025] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a surgical stapler according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of a staple cartridge assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a connecting piece according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the cooperation of a drive assembly and a guide according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the cooperation of a drive assembly and a guide and an end swing drive according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the cooperation of a drive assembly and a guide and an end swing drive in an initial state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the cooperation of a drive assembly and a guide and an end swing drive in a firing process according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the example embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and description of the same elements will not be repeated. "Or" as used in this specification is inclusive of the possibilities of "and / or." Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the present application to a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures unless explicitly stated otherwise. Although the terms "first" and "second" can be used herein to describe various features / elements, these features / elements should not be limited by these terms since such terms are generally used to distinguish one feature / element from another. In this application, "proximal" and "distal" are relative to an operator, with the proximal end being closer to the operator and the distal end being further away from the operator, i.e., closer to a surgical site. The axial direction is along the axis of the stapler, i.e., from the distal end to the proximal end, or from the proximal end to the distal end. For example, in the perspective of FIG. 1, the distal end of the first sleeve 4 is the left end and the proximal end is the right end. "Inboard" and "outboard" are relative to the axis of a component, with the inboard side being closer to the axis and the outboard side being further away from the axis. "Circumferential" refers to the direction around the axis of a component.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present application provides a staple cartridge assembly and a surgical stapler comprising the same. The surgical stapler comprises a platform (not shown in the figures) and an end effector 1 comprising a staple cartridge assembly 11 and an anvil 12 arranged oppositely. The staple cartridge assembly comprises an elongated rod and an end effector mounted on the platform of the surgical stapler via the elongated rod. The elongated rod comprises an elongated sleeve, a firing member 9 arranged inside the sleeve and a connecting member 6. The sleeve comprises a first sleeve 4 and a second sleeve 2, the distal end of the first sleeve 4 is connected to the proximal end of the second sleeve 2, the proximal end of the first sleeve 4 comprises a first connecting portion, the distal end of the platform comprises a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are detachably connected, realizing detachable mounting of the staple cartridge assembly on the platform. The lumens of the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 are in communication with each other and define a sliding space extending along the axial direction. The connecting member 6 is connected to the proximal end of the firing member 9, for receiving driving force from the platform to drive the firing member 9 to move along the axial direction, the firing member is movably arranged in the second sleeve 2. In this embodiment, a power member (not shown in the figures) is arranged in the platform. The proximal end of the connecting member 6 is connected to the power member. The position of the connecting member 6 when the surgical stapler is in the initial state (unfired state) is shown in FIG. 2. When the surgical stapler is fired, the power member is driven to move in the distal direction, the power member drives the connecting member 6 to move in the axial direction from the first sleeve 4 into the second sleeve 2 in the sliding space, the connecting member 6 drives the firing member 9 to move in the distal direction, the distal end of the firing member 9 drives the end effector 1 to perform a cutting and stapling action.

[0035] The first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 are coaxially arranged, the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 are sleeves with different outer diameters, and the outer diameter of the first sleeve 4 is greater than the outer diameter of the second sleeve 2, in particular, the axial length of the first sleeve 4 is less than the axial length of the second sleeve 2. It can be understood that the first sleeve 4 is blocked outside by a pneumoperitoneum assembly during the operation and does not enter the abdominal cavity of the human body, therefore, reducing the axial length of the first sleeve 4 and simultaneously lengthening the axial length of the second sleeve 2 can enhance the operability of the surgical stapler in the pneumoperitoneum. In addition, the reduction of the axial length of the first sleeve 4 is beneficial to the transmission of the driving force generated by the platform of the surgical stapler, increasing the driving force transmission efficiency.

[0036] The proximal end of the second sleeve 2 is optionally arranged inside the distal end of the first sleeve 4. The first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 are used for connecting a large-diameter instrument platform interface and a small-diameter end effector 1. For example, the diameter of the instrument platform interface is 12 mm, and the diameter of the end effector 1 is less than or equal to 8 mm. The outer diameter of the first sleeve 4 is 12 mm, and the outer diameter of the second sleeve 2 is less than or equal to 8 mm. Therefore, the interface of the larger instrument platform can be connected to the end effector 1 with a smaller diameter, which is more suitable for the development goal of minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, the end effector 1 with a smaller diameter can be directly connected to the existing instrument platform, and the cost of instrument update is lower.

[0037] In combination with FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, when the anastomat is in the initial state, the connecting member 6 is arranged in the lumen of the first sleeve 4. The first sleeve 4 serves as a transition section for realizing the transition of the large-diameter instrument platform interface and the small-diameter second sleeve 2. The length of the first sleeve 4 should not be set too long, and it is difficult to arrange a guide structure on the relatively short first sleeve 4. Moreover, even if a guide structure is arranged on the first sleeve 4 to restrict the rotational movement of the connecting member 6, the connecting member 6 is still not restricted by the guide structure on the first sleeve 4 during the movement of the connecting member 6 from the first sleeve 4 to the second sleeve 2 and after the connecting member 6 is moved into the lumen of the second sleeve 2, and it is also difficult to ensure that the connecting member 6 does not rotate circumferentially during the axial movement. Based on this, the embodiment proposes a separate guide 7, which is arranged independently of the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 and is fixedly connected to the inner portions of the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2, so that the guide 7 has no relative movement with the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide 7 extends in the sliding space, the distal end of the guide 7 is located in the second sleeve 2, and the proximal end of the guide 7 extends out of the proximal end of the second sleeve 2 and is located in the first sleeve 4. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, when the anastomat is in the initial state, the connecting member 6 is located on the proximal end side of the guide 7 and does not contact the guide 7. As shown in FIG. 7, when the anastomat is fired, the connecting member 6 is driven to move axially in the distal direction, the connecting member 6 is received by the guide 7 and is in mutual fitting with the guide 7, the guide 7 guides the connecting member 6 to move from the first sleeve 4 to the second sleeve 2, and the connecting member 6 continues to move in the distal direction under the guidance of the guide 7. Therefore, the present application sets the guide 7 in the sliding space defined by the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 to guide the axial movement of the connecting member 6, so that the connecting member 6 does not rotate circumferentially when moving in the sliding space, and ensures that the connecting member 6 can be guided and constrained by the guide 7 to move stably during the process of entering the second sleeve 2 from the first sleeve 4 and after entering the second sleeve 2, thereby ensuring that the power of the power member can be better transmitted to the firing member 9, and improving the surgical effect of the end effector 1. In another alternative embodiment, the proximal end 71 of the guide 7 can further extend in the proximal direction, so that when the anastomat is in the initial state, the connecting member 6 is already in mutual fitting with the guide 7, which also belongs to the protection scope of the present application.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first sleeve 4 is provided with a first main body shell 5 in the lumen, the first main body shell 5 is provided with a first fixed part 51, and the first fixed part 51 is fixed with the proximal end 71 of the guide 7. For example, the first fixed part 51 is a protruding part, and the proximal end 71 of the guide 7 is provided with a hole that is sleeved on the protruding part. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the second sleeve 2 is provided with a second main body shell 3 in the lumen, the second main body shell 3 is provided with a second fixed part 31, and the second fixed part 31 is fixed with the distal end 72 of the guide 7. For example, the second fixed part 31 is a groove, and the distal end 72 of the guide 7 is fitted in the groove. The fixing methods of the proximal end 71 and the distal end of the guide 7 are only examples, and other fixing structures that can fix the guide 7 in the lumens of the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 can also be used, which all belong to the protection scope of the present application. For example, in another embodiment of the present application, the guide 7 includes an outer side away from the central axis, the inner wall of the sliding space formed by the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 2 is provided with a groove, and after the connecting member 6 moves axially and combines with the guide 7, the connecting member 6 slides in the sliding space to generate a pushing force, which makes the outer side of the guide 7 embedded in the above-mentioned groove to fix the guide 7 and the groove.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the connecting member 6 is provided with a first slot 61 on the side facing the guide member 7. The guide member 7 can be a thin sheet rod structure. In combination with FIG. 7, when the connecting member 6 and the guide member 7 are mutually fitted, the guide member 7 is at least partially fitted in the first slot 61, and when the connecting member 6 moves axially relative to the guide member 7, the first slot 61 moves axially relative to the guide member 7 and is mutually fitted with different positions of the guide member 7, respectively.

[0041] In this embodiment, in order to adapt to the needs of more surgical scenarios, it is necessary for the end effector 1 to have more angle options relative to the instrument platform. Therefore, the staple cartridge assembly further comprises an end swing driving member 8 for driving the end effector 1 to swing laterally relative to the instrument platform. Specifically, when the end swing driving member 8 moves axially, it can drive the end effector 1 to swing to the left or right relative to the axis of the instrument platform, thereby adjusting the angle of the end effector 1 relative to the instrument platform.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the connecting member 6 is provided with a second slot 62 on the side facing the end swing driving member 8, and the end swing driving member 8 is at least partially fitted in the second slot 62 to mutually fit the end swing driving member 8 and the connecting member 6. Therefore, by fitting the end swing driving member 8 and the connecting member 6, the circumferential rotation movement of the connecting member 6 is further constrained, maintaining the stability of the axial movement of the connecting member 6. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide member 7 and the end swing driving member 8 are respectively arranged on the transverse sides of the axis of the stapler, so that the guide member 7 and the end swing driving member 8 respectively provide symmetrical balanced guiding action to the connecting member 6. However, the present application is not limited to this structure, and in other alternative embodiments, the guide member 7 can also be arranged at other positions according to actual layout arrangement and actual use needs, for example, the guide member 7 can be arranged above or below the firing member 9 or other positions with axial clearance, all of which are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0043] The above is a further detailed description of the present application in combination with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present application cannot be limited to these descriptions. For ordinary skilled persons in the technical field to which the present application belongs, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of simple deductions or substitutions can also be made, all of which should be considered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, comprising: The staple cartridge assembly comprises: a first sleeve and a second sleeve, a distal end of the first sleeve is connected with a proximal end of the second sleeve, a proximal end of the first sleeve is used for connecting an instrument platform of the surgical stapler, a lumen of the first sleeve and a lumen of the second sleeve are in communication with each other and define a sliding space; a connecting member, the connecting member can be driven to move in the axial direction in the sliding space; a guide member, the guide member extends in the sliding space, a distal end of the guide member is located in the second sleeve, and a proximal end of the guide member extends out of the proximal end of the second sleeve and is located in the first sleeve, wherein, the connecting member is driven, the connecting member engages the guide member, and the guide member guides the connecting member to move in the axial direction from the first sleeve into the second sleeve.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 1, wherein, The guide member is fixedly connected with the first sleeve and the second sleeve, respectively.

3. The cartridge assembly of Claim 2, wherein, A first main body shell is arranged in the lumen of the first sleeve, the first main body shell is provided with a first fixing part, and the first fixing part is connected with the proximal end of the guide member.

4. The cartridge assembly of Claim 3, wherein, The first fixing part includes a protruding part, and the proximal end of the guide member is provided with a hole sleeved on the protruding part.

5. The cartridge assembly of any one of claims 2-4, wherein, A second main body shell is arranged in the lumen of the second sleeve, the second main body shell is provided with a second fixing part, and the second fixing part is connected with the distal end of the guide member.

6. The cartridge assembly of Claim 5, wherein, The second fixing part includes a groove, and the distal end of the guide member is embedded and matched in the groove.

7. The cartridge assembly of any one of claims 2-6, wherein, The guide member includes an outer side away from the central axis, and a groove is arranged on an inner wall of the sliding space, when the connecting member engages the guide member, the connecting member pushes the outer side to be embedded in the groove.

8. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-7, wherein, A first groove is arranged on a side of the connecting member facing the guide member, when the connecting member engages the guide member, the guide member is at least partially embedded and matched in the first groove.

9. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-8, wherein, The staple cartridge assembly further comprises an end swing driving member, the end swing driving member can be driven to move in the axial direction, the end swing driving member and the guide member are arranged on two sides of the shaft center, respectively, a second groove is arranged on a side of the connecting member facing the end swing driving member, and the end swing driving member is at least partially embedded and matched in the second groove.

10. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-9, wherein, An outer diameter of the first sleeve is greater than an outer diameter of the second sleeve.

11. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-10, wherein, An outer diameter of the second sleeve is less than or equal to 8 mm.

12. A surgical stapler comprising an instrument platform, characterized by, The staple cartridge assembly further comprises an end swing driving member, the end swing driving member can be driven to move in the axial direction, the end swing driving member and the guide member are arranged on two sides of the shaft center, respectively, a second groove is arranged on a side of the connecting member facing the end swing driving member, and the end swing driving member is at least partially embedded and matched in the second groove.

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