Grounded sled for surgical stapling device

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly including an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a working member that moves forward to push an actuation sled of the cartridge assembly forward to push staple pushers upwards, pushing staples into tissue located above the cartridge assembly. The actuation sled may be grounded or supported by a channel member of the cartridge assembly or the working member. When the actuation sled experiences forces exerted by the staple pushers onto the actuation sled during firing of the stapling device, such forces are directed towards the channel member or the working member via a sled support component instead of towards a tissue gap compression member.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01 GROUNDED SLED FOR SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application No.63 / 735,929, filed December 19, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are 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 tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are coupled to each other by a pivot member and movable in relation to each other between unclamped and clamped positions in response to movement of the drive assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that includes a cartridge body that supports staples. A drive assembly may then actuate a sled through the cartridge that causes the staples to be ejected into clamped tissue. Once the tissue is stapled, or concurrently with the stapling, the tissue is cut via a knife of the stapler.SUMMARY

[0003] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] The technology of this application related to a surgical stapling device with a grounded actuation sled. The grounded actuation sled resists further vertical movement during staple firing. For instance, the grounded actuation sled may remain vertically static or fixed such that forces exerted on the actuation sled by the staple pushers do not cause the compressible member(s) to further compress. In some examples, the stapling device includes a sled support component with a keel disposed at least partially underneath the actuation sled. The keel may be grounded or in contact with a channel member of a cartridge assembly of the surgical stapler. The keel fixes the126707289.6Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01vertical position of the actuation sled with respect to the channel member, which causes a tissue gap compressible member to remain at rest or otherwise be unaffected by the forces exerted by the staple pushers.

[0005] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following Detailed Description are explanatory and are intended to provide further aspects and examples of the disclosure as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of aspects of systems and methods described below and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner, which scope shall be based on the claims.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device with an indicated tool assembly according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the tool assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3A is a perspective exploded view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0010] FIGs. 3B and 3C are perspective views of a channel member of FIG. 3A and a tissue gap compression member disposed thereon, and a portion of the tissue gap compression member, respectively.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a channel member of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0012] FIGs. 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of a cartridge assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a minimum-gap scenario.

[0013] FIGs. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a maximum-gap scenario.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an actuation sled of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the actuation sled of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the actuation sled and a sled support component shown in FIGs. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 7.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sled support component of FIG. 8.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view of the sled support component of FIG. 10Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0019] FIGs. 12A and 12B are partial cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] FIGs. 13A and 13B are partial cross-sectional views of the other embodiment of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an actuation sled of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a side view of the other embodiment of the actuation sled of FIG. 14.

[0023] FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the other embodiment of the actuation sled of shown in FIG. 14.

[0024] FIG. 17 is a perspective exploded view of the other embodiment of the actuation sled and a sled support component shown in FIGs. 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, and 14.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sled support component of FIG. 17.

[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view of the sled support component of FIG. 18.

[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a working member from FIGs. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B.

[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a working member from FIGs.12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B.

[0029] FIG. 22 is a side view of the working member from FIG. 21.

[0030] While examples of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific aspects have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention is not to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular aspects described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] 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.

[0032] As discussed briefly above, medical staplers often both staple and cut tissue of a patient. For instance, tissue is first clamped between the jaws of the stapler (e.g., between an anvil and a cartridge). Once clamped, the tissue is stapled on both sides of a cut line. A knife is then translated forward along the cut line to cut and separate the tissue. In some examples, the stapling and cuttingAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01process are related in that an actuation sled is concurrently translated forward along with the knife. The actuation sled travels in front (e.g., distally) of the knife and causes the staples to be ejected prior to the knife cutting the tissue. The activation and performance of this stapling (and cutting) process is often referred to as “firing” the stapling device.

[0033] Some surgical stapling devices use adaptive tissue gap technologies. With adaptive tissue gap technology, the gap between the cartridge and anvil changes to accommodate different tissue thicknesses. One example of an adaptive tissue gap technology uses a floating cartridge concept where the cartridge, or a portion thereof, effectively floats on a spring or other compressible member(s). Some examples are discussed in U.S. Patent No. 11,806,014, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Floating Staple Cartridge, and International Patent Publication WO 2024 / 092093 Al, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Tissue Gap Control, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. To the extent those disclosures conflict with this present application, this application shall control. In those examples, the compressible members allow the staple cartridge to move or float in relation to the anvil assembly of the tool assembly to accommodate tissues of different thicknesses.

[0034] In such examples where the staple cartridge moves to adapt to tissue gap technologies, force exerted when actually firing the stapling device may cause undesirable effects in some instances. For example, thicker tissues cause greater forces on the cartridge and the cartridge moves down to accommodate a larger gap, as intended by the floating cartridge technology. When the stapling device is fired, the actuation sled interacts with the pushers to push the staples through the tissue and into the anvil. The forces of this staple firing, however, may cause the actuation sled to further compress the compress the compressible member. In some cases, these stapling forces cause the compressible member to fully compress. This additional compression during firing may be undesired as the one intent of the floating cartridge is to adapt for tissue gap differences — not stapling firing forces.

[0035] The technology disclosed herein addresses, among other things, the above issues by introducing a grounded actuation sled. The grounded actuation sled resists further vertical movement during staple firing. For instance, the grounded actuation sled may remain vertically static or fixed such that forces exerted on the actuation sled by the staple pushers do not cause the compressible member(s) to further compress.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0036] In some examples, the device includes a sled support component with a keel disposed at least partially underneath the actuation sled. The keel may be grounded or in contact with a channel member of a cartridge assembly of the surgical stapler. The keel fixes the vertical position of the actuation sled with respect to the channel member, which causes the tissue gap compressible member to remain at rest or otherwise be unaffected by the forces exerted by the staple pushers.

[0037] In other examples, the device includes a sled support component with a top and bottom sled support keel that are configured to be grounded to or in contact with a working member (e.g., I-beam). The top and bottom sled support keels allow for the actuation sled to slide, with a vertical component of the movement, relative to the working member which has a position that is fixed vertically. As the working member at least partially receives the forces exerted by the staple pushers, the tissue-gap compressible member is able to remain at rest or otherwise be unaffected by the forces exerted by the staple pushers.

[0038] More specifically, examples of the technology disclosed herein includes a sled-support component within a surgical stapling device. The surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly including an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an actuation sled that supports the sled support component. The actuation sled is movable from a proximal to a distal position upon firing of the stapling device (e.g., a working member of the drive assembly pushes the actuation sled distally). The actuation sled is grounded to either or both of the channel member or the working member. The sled support component may be formed with the actuation sled as a single integral part, or the sled support component may be a separate part from the actuation sled.

[0039] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 that includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. FIG. 3 A is a perspective exploded view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2. FIGs. 3B and 3C are perspective views of a channel member of FIG. 3 A and a tissue gap compression member disposed thereon, and a portion of the tissue gap compression member, respectively. FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a channel member of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2. FIGs. 1-4 are discussed concurrently below.

[0040] 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 clinicianAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01during use of the device in its customary fashion. The distal and proximal directions generally are in a direction of a longitudinal X axis, as shown in FIG. 1 and discussed further below. Additionally, the term left (or sinister) is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is left of a clinician during use of the device in its upright position, while the term right (or dexter) is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is right of the clinician during use of the device in its upright position. Additionally, the term “vertical” may refer to directions oriented along the Y axis (FIG. 1) when jaws of the device are clamped shut. Reference to “up” may refer to a direction along axis Y that is upwards of a clinician during use of the device in its upright position, and “down” directions may refer to a direction along axis Y that is downwards of a clinician during use of the device in its upright position.

[0041] In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description when the device in in an upright position and are not intended to limit the disclosure. For example, “upper” may refer to a more positive Y axis direction in the orientation shown in FIG. 1, and “lower” may refer to a more negative Y axis direction in the orientation shown in FIG. 1. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and support personnel. Additionally, the terms “inside”, “inner”, “internal”, and the like are used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is relatively closer to longitudinal axis X as illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g., closer to a central or most internal point), while the terms “outside”, “outer”, “external”, and the like are used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is further away from longitudinal axis X (e.g., closer to an outermost point).

[0042] In the depicted example, the handle assembly 12 is powered and includes a stationary handgrip 18 and an actuation button or buttons 19. Although not shown, the stationary handgrip 18 supports a motor and control circuitry to drive the mechanisms of the stapling device 10. Actuation buttons 19 are operable to activate the motor to actuate various functions of the tool assembly 16 via the elongate body 14 (e.g., approximation of the tool assembly 16, and stapling and cutting of tissue). In aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports batteries (not shown) that provide power to the handle assembly 12 to operate the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as a powered stapling device, the advantages of this disclosure are suitable for use with manually powered surgical stapling devices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices. For instance, the tool assembly 16 may be connected to a robotic armAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01of the robotic surgical system. U.S. Patent No. 5,865,361 describes a stapling device that includes example aspects of a manually powered stapling device.

[0043] The elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14A and a distal portion 14B. The proximal portion 14A of the elongate body 14 is coupled to the handle assembly 12, and the distal portion 14B of the elongate body 14 supports the tool assembly 16. In some examples, the tool assembly 16 is pivotably coupled to the distal portion 14B of the elongate body 14 to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly 16 in relation to the elongate body 14.

[0044] The tool assembly 16 includes an anvil assembly 20 and a cartridge assembly 22. The cartridge assembly 22 may be pivotably supported in relation to the anvil 20 to facilitate movement of the tool assembly 16 between an unclamped position (FIG. 1) and a clamped position. In some examples, the tool assembly 16 includes a mounting assembly 24 that supports the anvil assembly 20 and the cartridge assembly 22 for movement between the unclamped position and the clamped position and for coupling the tool assembly 16 to the elongate body 14 for articulation about the articulation axis “Y”. In some examples, the anvil assembly 20 and the cartridge assembly 22 are coupled to the mounting assembly 24 by screws or pins 25 (FIG. 3). The mounting assembly 24 can be formed from mounting members 24A, 24B (FIG. 3) that are coupled together with rivets, screws, pins, adhesives, welding, or the like. In examples, the mounting assembly 24 is fixedly coupled to the anvil 20 and pivotably supports the cartridge assembly 22.

[0045] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the cartridge assembly 22 which includes a channel member 26 and a staple cartridge 28. The channel member 26 includes side walls 30 and a bottom channel wall 32 that define a cavity 34. In some examples, the staple cartridge 28 may be removably received within the cavity 34 of the channel member 26 and is replaceable to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10 after each firing of the stapling device 10. In other examples, the entire tool assembly 16 is removably attached to the shaft, and the tool assembly may be replaced rather than just the staple cartridge 28 itself.

[0046] Each of the side walls 30 of the channel member 26 has an upper end that defines a recess 36. The bottom channel wall 32 of the channel member 26 includes an internal wall portion 32a and an outer wall portion that define an internal channel 37 that extends from the proximal end of the channel member 26 towards the distal end of the channel member 26 along the longitudinal axis X of the channel member 26. The inner wall portion 32A of the bottom channelAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01wall 32 defines an elongate slot (not shown) that communicates with the cavity 34 and the internal channel 37. The internal channel 37 and the elongate slot 37A receive a portion of a drive assembly 120 as described below. In some examples, channel member 26 may include tissue gap compression member 55 as illustrated. Tissue gap compression member 55 as illustrated in FIG.3A may be a simplified version of tissue gap compression member 55 as illustrated in FIGs. 3B and 3C. Either illustrated tissue gap compression member may be used in various examples.

[0047] The example staple cartridge 28 includes a cartridge body 38 (FIG. 3), an actuation sled 52, staples 42, pushers 44, and a staple guard 46. The cartridge body 38 defines a knife slot 48 and staple receiving pockets 50 that are positioned on each side of the knife slot 48. The staple receiving pockets 50 may be aligned in two or more rows on opposite sides of the knife slot 48. The knife slot 48 is longitudinally aligned with the elongate slot 37A in the channel member 26.

[0048] The cartridge body 38 includes laterally extending protrusions 51 (one is shown) that are received within the recesses 36 (FIG. 2) of the channel member 26 to properly position the staple cartridge 28 within the cavity 34 of the channel member 26. The staples 42 and the pushers 44 are received within the staple receiving pockets 50 of the cartridge body 38, and the staple guard 46 is secured to the bottom of the cartridge body 38 to retain the staples 42 and pushers 44 within the cartridge body 38. The staple guard 46 also includes a bottom wall that defines an elongate slot 46a that is aligned with the elongate slot 37A and knife slot 48 defined in the channel member 26 and the cartridge body 38, respectively.

[0049] The actuation sled 52 is received within and is movable through the cartridge body 38 from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position. The actuation sled 52 includes angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B (FIG. 3) that have angled fin surfaces that are positioned to sequentially engage the pushers 44 as the actuation sled 52 moves through the cartridge body 38 from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position to lift the pushers 44 within the staple receiving pockets 50 and eject the staples 42 from the cartridge body 38.

[0050] The drive assembly 120 is movable through the tool assembly 16 from a drive retracted position, through a drive clamped position, to a drive advanced position. Movement of the drive assembly 120 advances the actuation sled 52 through the cartridge body 38 from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position. In the drive clamped position, a working member 124 is advanced to a position to move the tool assembly 16 from the unclamped position to the clamped position while the actuation sled 52 remains in the sled retracted position.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0051] The working member 124 may include a substantially vertical strut 130, that includes a first flange 126 on the anvil-side of the strut 130 (e.g., the side of the strut closest the anvil 20) and a second flange 128 on the cartridge-side of the strut 130 (e.g., the side closest the cartridge assembly and opposite the anvil-side of the strut 130). When the drive assembly 120 moves from the drive retracted position to the drive clamped position, the first flange 126 engages the anvil 20 and the second flange 128 is received within the internal channel 37 (FIG. 4) of the channel member 26 to move the tool assembly 16 from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

[0052] As the drive assembly 120 moves through the tool assembly 16 from the drive clamped position to the drive advanced position, the working member 124 of the drive assembly 120 engages the actuation sled 52 to move the actuation sled 52 from the sled retracted position to the sled advanced position.

[0053] As the drive assembly 120 moves from the drive clamped position towards the drive advanced position, the first flange 126 of the working member 124 remains engaged with the anvil 20 and the second flange 128 of the working member 124 moves through the internal channel 37 of the channel member 26. When in the respective channels, the working member 124 thus prevents outward movement of the anvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22 in relation to each other. The advancement of the working member 124 also limits the size of the tissue gap between the anvil 20 and the cartridge assembly 22.

[0054] FIGs. 5 A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrate perspective views of stapling device 10 showing partial cross-sectional views of tool assembly 16 (e.g., specifically, cartridge assembly 22) including working member 124A, actuation sled 52A, staple pushers 44, staples 42, channel member 26, tissue gap compression member 55, cartridge body 38, and sled support component 501. Generally, FIGs. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrate the interactions between the aforementioned components during firing of stapling device 10. FIGs. 5B and 6B are similar to FIGs. 5A and 6A respectively, but with cartridge body 38 hidden to provide an improved view of the interaction between actuation sled 52A and staple pushers 44. FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate a “minimum-gap” scenario, while FIGs. 6A and 6B illustrate a “maximum-gap” scenario, as described further below. FIGs. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrate staple pushers 44 as being disposed in an upwards position in cartridge body 38, as if actuation sled 52A had already pushed staple pushers 44 up towards anvil 20. In use, however, staple pushers 44 that are distal relative to actuation sled 52A are disposed at the bottom of cartridge body 38 (e.g., away from anvil 20).Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0055] As working member 124A advances forward during firing, working member 124 A pushes actuation sled 52A forward. Fins 53A and 53B of actuation sled 52A push staple pushers 44 upwards as staple pushers 44 slide up fins 53A, 53B. When pushing staple pushers 44 upwards, force is also exerted onto actuation sled 52A downwards by the staple pushers 44. As described above, in some floating cartridge designs, this stapling force may cause actuation sled 52A to be displaced downwards and / or exert force onto a tissue gap compression member 55 (e.g., a wave spring or compression strips), undesirably causing additional or full compression of the tissue gap compression member 55. The tissue gap compression member 55 is typically meant to compress only to accommodate different tissue gap thicknesses, rather than from forces from staple pushers 44. For further description of the tissue gap compression member 55, International Patent Publication WO 2024 / 092093 Al, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Tissue Gap Control. (While the compression member 55 is depicted as a wave spring, in other examples the compression member 55 may be one or more compression strips, such as those discussed in U.S. Patent No.11,806,014, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Floating Staple Cartridge.)

[0056] In the currently disclosed technology, a sled support component 501 prevents further compression of the compression member 55 by the sled. For instance, the sled support member vertically fixes the position of actuation sled 52a such that when staple pushers 44 exert force onto actuation sled 52A, actuation sled 52A is not pushed downwards and instead remains in its vertical position. For example, sled support component 501 includes a sled support keel 502 that grounds actuation sled 52 to a bottom wall (or inner surface of the outer wall) of the channel member 26 (e.g., sled support keel 502 is in contact with channel member 26). As actuation sled 52A, and thus sled support component 501, is pushed forwards during firing, sled support keel 502 maintains sled support component 501 and actuation sled 52A at a constant height or vertical position relative to channel member 26 or working member 124.

[0057] In particular, FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate a minimum-gap scenario when a tissue gap compression member 55 is not compressed or minimally compressed (e.g., due to the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapler being relatively thin), and thus cartridge assembly 22 is not displaced downwards, or remains in its vertical position. The “minimum gap” refers to the distance between cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 (FIG. 2), where the distance between the cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 is minimal because the cartridge assembly 22 has not been displaced downwards (e.g., due to relatively thin tissueAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01being between the jaws of surgical stapler 10, or when there is no tissue present such as during a test firing). In this scenario, there may be a relatively large gap 526 between inter- fin sled surface 503 and bottom cartridge surface 504 (e.g., approximately 0.020 inches).

[0058] FIG. 5B hides a portion of the cartridge to focus on the interaction between staple pushers 44 and fins 53A and 53B of actuation sled 52. When actuation sled 52 pushes staple pushers 44 upwards, and when staple pushers 44 are pushed upwards to a maximum height, there may be a relatively small interference distance between bottom staple pusher surfaces 506 and angled fin surfaces 505. For example, the bottom staple pusher surfaces 506 may be disposed slightly lower than the angled fin surfaces 505, creating a small interference (e.g., 0.002 inches).

[0059] In contrast, FIGs. 6A and 6B illustrate a maximum-gap scenario when the tissue gap compression member 55 is significantly compressed (e.g., due to the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapler being relatively thick), and thus cartridge assembly 22 is displaced vertically downwards. The “maximum gap” refers to the distance between cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 (FIG. 2), where the distance between the cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 is at its greatest because the cartridge assembly 22 has been displaced downwards (e.g., tissue gap compression member 55 is fully compressed). In this scenario, there may be a relatively small gap, or substantially no gap, between inter-fin sled surface 503 and bottom cartridge surface 504. FIG. 6B hides cartridge assembly 22 to focus on the interaction between staple pushers 44 and fins 53A and 53B of actuation sled 52. In the “maximum gap” scenario, the staple pushers 44 travel a greater distance along the length of fins 53A and 53B in order for actuation sled 52 to push staple pushers 44 up to the same height (e.g., to angled fin surfaces 505 of actuation sled 52) since there is initially substantially no gap between bottom cartridge surface 504 and inter-fin sled surface 503.

[0060] Referring to FIGs. 7-9, actuation sled 52A includes angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B, angled fin surfaces 505, inter-fin sled surfaces 513, center keel 515, sled support recess 509, sled support protrusion recess 516, rear sled recess 508, front sled protrusion recess 520, and bottom sled surface 512.

[0061] Angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B are vertical walls that extend substantially vertically and perpendicularly to inter-fin sled surfaces 513. Pushers 44 slide up angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B as actuation sled 52A is pushed forward during firing. In some examples, sled 52A may include two outer fins 53B and two inner fins 53A. In some examples, inner fins 53AAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01may be disposed slightly distal relative to outer fins 53B. When actuation sled 52A moves forward during firing, fins 53A and 53B force staple pushers 44 up the angled fin surfaces 505 while portions of cartridge body 38 are disposed in between fins 53 A and 53B, and are disposed proximal and above inter- fin sled surfaces 513.

[0062] Angled fin surfaces 505 are top diagonal flat surfaces disposed on angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B. Angled fin surfaces 505 are lower at a distal end of actuation sled 52A and higher at a proximal end of actuation sled 52A. Pushers 44 slide up angled fin surfaces 505 from, for example, the distal ends of the angled fin surfaces 505 to the proximal ends of angled fin surfaces 505. Angled fin surfaces 505 may form an acute angle with respect to inter-fin sled surfaces 513. The “distal end” or “proximal end” of actuation sled 52 A, or any component described herein, refer to the distal half or third, or proximal half or third, respectively, of the component referenced.

[0063] Inter-fin sled surfaces 513 are disposed in between fins 53 A, 53B and between fins 53 A and center keel 515 and are substantially flat surfaces extending from a distal end of actuation sled 52A to a proximal end of actuation sled 52A. In some examples, cartridge body 38 may contact or come into close proximity with inter-fin sled surfaces 513 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Depending on the position of cartridge body 38, such portions of cartridge body 38 may be spaced from inter- fin sled surfaces 513 or may be substantially adjacent or spaced less with respect to inter-fin sled surfaces 513 as described previously.

[0064] Center keel 515 is a vertical wall that extends substantially vertically and perpendicularly to inter-fin sled surfaces 513. Center keel 515 may extend from a distal end of actuation sled 52A to a proximal end of actuation sled 52A. Center keel 515 may be disposed substantially in the center of actuation sled 515, for example, between angled inner fins 53 A. Center sled keel 515 may be aligned with working member 124. Center keel 515 may include a proximal portion 524 that extends distally to proximally and terminates in the middle of the top flat portion 525 of angled inner fins 53A as viewed from the side (FIG. 8).

[0065] Sled support recess 509 is an indent into the bottom of actuation sled 52A that generally has a substantially same or similar shape as sled support base 507 such that sled support base 507 fits into sled support recess 509. For example, sled support recess 509 may be disposed on an underside of actuation sled 52A (e.g., opposite fins 53A and 53B). Sled support recess 509 may include front sled protrusion recess 520. A depth of sled support recess 509 may be defined fromAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01bottom sled surface 512 and to a depth substantially equal to the depth of sled support base 507 (e.g., as defined from top sled support surface 518 to bottom sled support surface 511).

[0066] Sled support protrusion recess 516 is a substantially oblong indent that extends from recessed bottom sled surface 522 that generally has a substantially same or similar shape as sled support protrusion 510 such that sled support protrusion 510 fits into sled support protrusion recess 516.

[0067] Rear sled recess 508 is a through-hole that extends through recessed bottom sled surface 522 and through actuation sled 52A. Rear sled recess 508 is disposed at a proximal end of actuation sled 52A. At least a portion of working member 124A may be received in rear sled recess 508 to push actuation sled 52A.

[0068] Front sled protrusion recess 520 is a portion of sled support recess 509 at a distal end of actuation sled 52A. Front sled protrusion recess 520 is at least partially constrained by front sled recess walls 523, which extend downwards and perpendicular with respect to bottom sled surface 512.

[0069] Bottom sled surface 512 is a substantially flat and horizontal surface disposed at a distal end of actuation sled 52A. Bottom sled surface 512 is offset from recessed bottom sled surface 522 and is disposed lower than recessed bottom sled surface 522. Bottom sled surface 512 is substantially flush with bottom sled support surface 511 when sled support component 501 is received in sled support recess 509.

[0070] Referring to FIGs. 9-11, sled support component 501 includes sled support base 507 and sled support keel 502 extended from sled support base 507. Sled support base 507 and sled support keel 502 may form a single integrated part (e.g., a monolithic or unibody component). Sled support component 501 may fit into sled support recess 509 of actuation sled 52A. In particular, sled support base 507 may fit into sled support recess 509 of actuation sled 52A. Sled support base 507 may include top sled support surface 518, bottom sled support surface 511, sled support protrusion 510, rear sled support recess 517, front sled support protrusion 519, and chamfered or filleted edges 521. In some examples, a height of sled support base 507 (e.g., measured from top sled support surface 518 to bottom sled support surface 511) may be substantially equal to a depth of sled support recess 509 such that bottom sled support surface 511 of sled support base 507 is flush with bottom sled surface 512 of actuation sled 52A when sled support component 501 fits into sled support recess 509 of actuation sled 52A.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0071] Sled support keel 502 may extend substantially perpendicularly (e.g., vertically) from sled support base 502 (e.g., perpendicularly from bottom sled support surface 511). Sled support keel 502 may include a thin and substantially rectangular-prism-shaped boss.

[0072] Top sled support surface 518 is a substantially flat surface that is substantially adjacent to and in contact with recessed bottom sled surface 522 when sled support protrusion 501 is received in sled support recess 509. Bottom sled support surface 511 is a substantially flat surface that is substantially opposite top sled support surface 518. Sled support protrusion 510 may be disposed on bottom sled support surface 511.

[0073] Sled support protrusion 510 may be disposed on an opposite side of sled support base 507 as compared to sled support keel 502. Sled support protrusion 510 may be configured to fit into sled support protrusion recess 516 of actuation sled 52A. Sled support protrusion 510 may be a substantially oblong protrusion. Sled support protrusion recess 516 may similarly be a substantially oblong recess matching the shape of sled support protrusion 510. Both sled support protrusion 510 and sled support protrusion recess 516 may be oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of actuation sled 52A during firing.

[0074] Rear sled support recess 517 may be disposed substantially adjacent to sled support keel 502. Rear sled support recess 517 may be substantially adjacent to rear sled recess 508, through both of which at least a portion of working member 124 may be disposed in use. Rear sled support recess 517 may extend through sled support base 507 (e.g., from bottom sled support surface 511 to top sled support surface 518) and may be open on the rear side of sled support base 507.

[0075] Front sled support protrusion 519 may be disposed at a distal end of sled support base 507. Front sled support protrusion 519 may have a width thinner than that of the rest of sled support base 507 and may extend distally from the rest of sled support base 507. Front sled support protrusion 519 may fit into front sled protrusion recess 520.

[0076] Chamfered or filleted edges 521 may be partially or fully chamfered or filleted edges disposed on edges of sled support component 501 and adjacent to bottom sled support surface 511.

[0077] FIGs. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B illustrate perspective views of stapling device 10 showing partial cross-sectional views of tool assembly 16 (e.g., specifically, cartridge assembly 22) including working member 124B, actuation sled 52B, staple pushers 44, staples 42, channel member 26, tissue gap compression member 55, cartridge body 38, and sled support componentAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ011201. Generally, FIGs. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B illustrate the interactions between the aforementioned components during firing of stapling device 10. FIGs. 12B and 13B are similar to FIGs. 12A and 13A respectively, but with cartridge body 38 hidden to provide an improved view of the interaction between actuation sled 52B and staple pushers 44. FIGs. 12A and 12B illustrate a “minimum gap” scenario, while FIGs. 13 A and 13B illustrate a “maximum gap” scenario, as described later. FIGs. 12A, 12B, 13 A, and 13B illustrate staple pushers 44 as being disposed in an upwards position in cartridge body 38, as if actuation sled 52B had already pushed staple pushers 44 up towards anvil 20. In use, however, staple pushers 44 that are distal relative to actuation sled 52B are disposed at the bottom of cartridge body 38 (e.g., away from anvil 20).

[0078] The examples of the stapling device 10 shown in FIGS . 12-13 are similar to the example of the stapling device discussed above. However, the support of the sled 52B differs from the keel discussed above. For instance, in the sled 52B of FIGS. 12-13, the bottom (or outer) sled support keel 1204 continues to support the sled 52B similar the keels discussed above. The bottom sled support keel 1204 differs, however, in that the sled support keel 1204 includes an angled surface that is supported by the working member 124B. Thus, the sled 52B is ultimately supported directly by the working member 124B rather than the bottom wall of the channel member 26.

[0079] As working member 124B advances forward during firing, working member 124B pushes actuation sled 52B forward. Fins and of actuation sled 52B push staple pushers 44 upwards as staple pushers 44 slide up fins. When pushing staple pushers 44 upwards, force is exerted onto actuation sled 52B downwards by the staple pushers 44. As discussed above, in some previous designs, this force may cause actuation sled 52B to be displaced downwards and / or exert force onto a tissue gap compression member 55 (e.g., a wave spring), undesirably causing additional or full compression of the tissue gap compression member 55. The tissue gap compression member 55 is typically meant to compress to accommodate different tissue gap thicknesses, rather than from forces from staple pushers 44. For further description of the tissue gap compression member 55, please refer to International Patent Publication WO 2024 / 092093 Al, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Tissue Gap Control. While the compression member 55 is depicted as a wave spring, in other examples the compression member 55 may be one or more compression strips, such as those discussed in U.S. Patent No. 11,806,014, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Floating Staple Cartridge.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0080] To help prevent such additional or full compression of the compression member 55, sled support component 1201 grounds the actuation sled 52B to working member 124B. Thus, when staple pushers 44 exert force onto actuation sled 52B, actuation sled 52B is supported by working member 124B rather than the tissue gap compression member. Sled support component 1201, and thus actuation sled 52B, may be capable of movement (e.g., may have a vertical component to their movement) due to the design of sled support component 1201, as will be discussed later. For example, sled support component 501 includes a top (or inner) sled support keel 1203 and a bottom sled support keel 1204 that ground actuation sled 52B to working member 124B (e.g., top sled support keel 1203 and bottom sled support keel 1204 are in contact with working member 124B) which are able to slide or move with a horizontal and vertical component with respect to working member 124B. Sled support component 1201 and actuation sled 52B slide with a downward vertical component with respect to working member 124B as a result of cartridge body 38 pushing down on actuation sled 52B (e.g., as a result of downwards movement of cartridge body 38 due to, for example, thick tissue present between the jaws of stapling device 10). As actuation sled 52B, and thus sled support component 1201, are pushed distally during firing, sled support component 1201 maintains actuation sled 52B at a constant height or vertical position relative to working member 124B. In both FIGs. 12A-B and 13A-B, there may be substantially no gap between inter-fin sled surface 503 and bottom cartridge surface 504 due to actuation sled 52B moving with the cartridge body 38. As such, in both “minimum gap” and “maximum gap” scenarios, the interference between a bottom staple pusher surfaces 506 and angled fin surfaces 505 is substantially the same, and the distance that staple pushers 44 travel up fins 53A and 53B is substantially the same in both scenarios.

[0081] In particular, FIGs. 12A and 12B illustrate a “minimum gap” scenario when a tissue gap compression member 55 is not compressed (e.g., due to the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapler being relatively thin), and thus cartridge assembly 22 is not displaced downwards, or remains in its vertical position. As discussed previously, the “minimum gap” refers to the distance between cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 (FIG. 2), where the distance between the cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 is minimal because the cartridge assembly 22 has not been displaced downwards (e.g., due to relatively thin tissue being between the jaws of surgical stapler 10, or when there is no tissue present such as during a test firing). In this scenario, cartridge body 38 remains in its original position (e.g., is not movedAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01downwards) and thus does not exert force onto actuation sled 52B. As such, sled support component 1201 remains in its original position and does not slide relative to working member 124B. In this scenario, there may be substantially no gap between inter-fin sled surface 503 and bottom cartridge surface 504.

[0082] In contrast, FIGs. 13A and 13B illustrate a “maximum gap” scenario, when the tissue gap compression member 55 is compressed (e.g., due to the tissue between the jaws of the surgical stapler being relatively thick), and thus cartridge assembly 22 is displaced vertically downwards. As discussed previously, the “maximum gap” refers to the distance between cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 (FIG. 2), where the distance between the cartridge body 38 and the tissue contacting surface 201 is at its greatest because the cartridge assembly 22 has been displaced downwards (e.g., tissue gap compression member 55 is fully compressed). In this scenario, cartridge body 38 is displaced downwards and thus exerts force onto actuation sled 52B, pushing actuation sled 52B and sled support 1201 downwards. As such, sled support component 1201 slides relative to working member 124B. In particular, top angled sled support surface 1213 slides relative to top angled working member surface 1214, and bottom angled sled support surface 1220 slides diagonally (e.g., with a downwards vertical component) relative to bottom angled working member surface 1221. In this scenario, there still may be substantially no gap between inter-fin sled surface 503 and bottom cartridge surface 504. Once actuation sled 52B and sled support component 1201 have finished sliding, actuation sled 52B and sled support component 1201 are pushed distally by working member 124B during firing in this new orientation (FIGs.13A and 13B) where actuation sled 52B and sled support component 1201 have slid and are oriented distally and downwards relative to working member 124B as compared to the original positions of actuation sled 52B and sled support component 1201.

[0083] Referring to FIGs. 14-17, actuation sled 52B includes angled inner and outer fins 53 A, 53B, angled fin surfaces 1207, inter-fin sled surfaces 1208, center keel 1209, sled support recess 1205, rear sled recess 1216, front sled protrusion recess 1218, and bottom sled surface 1210. Angled inner and outer fins 53 A, 53B, angled fin surfaces 1207, inter-fin sled surfaces 1208, sled support recess 1205, front sled protrusion recess 1218, and bottom sled surface 1210 may be similar to angled inner and outer fins 53A, 53B, angled fin surfaces 505, inter-fin sled surfaces 513, sled support recess 509, front sled protrusion recess 520, and bottom sled surface 512, respectively, and as such, repeated discussion of these components is omitted for brevity.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0084] Actuation sled 52B may include a center sled keel 1209 disposed in between angled inner fins 53 A, 53B. Center sled keel 1209 may be aligned with working member 124. Center keel 1209 may include a proximal portion 1222 that extends distally to proximally less than proximal portion 524 of center keel 515 of FIGs. 7-9, and terminates more distally than proximal portion 524, for example, in the middle of angled fin surfaces 1207 of angled inner fins 53 A as viewed from the side (FIG. 15). This makes room for top (or inner) sled support keel 1203 (FIG. 14).

[0085] Rear sled recess 1216 is a through-hole that extends through recessed bottom sled surface 1223 and through actuation sled 52B. Rear sled recess 1216 is disposed at a proximal end of actuation sled 52B. At least a portion of top sled support keel 1203 may be received in rear sled recess 1216, and working member 124B may push top sled support keel 1203. Rear sled recess 1216 may include an oblong shaped recess similar to sled support protrusion recess 516 such that rear sled recess 1216 may appear as if rear sled recess 508 and sled support protrusion recess 516 are joined to form a single recess, however, the oblong portion of rear sled recess 1216 may extend through recessed bottom sled surface 1223 and through actuation sled 52B unlike sled support protrusion recess 516 which is instead an indented recess.

[0086] Referring to FIGs. 17-19, sled support component 1201 includes sled support base 1202, top sled support keel 1203, and bottom sled support keel 1204. Top sled support keel 1203 and bottom sled support keel 1204 are coupled or attached (e.g., fixedly attached) to sled support base 1202 (e.g., on opposite sides of sled support base 1202). Sled support base 1202, top sled support keel 1203, and bottom sled support keel 1204 may form a single integrated part. Sled support component 1201 may fit into sled support recess 1205 of actuation sled 52B. In particular, sled support base 1202 may fit into sled support recess 1205 of actuation sled 52B. In some examples, a height of sled support base 1202 may be substantially equal to a depth of sled support recess 1205 such that bottom sled support surface 1206 of sled support base 1202 is flush with bottom sled surface 1210 of actuation sled 52B when sled support component 1201 fits into sled support recess 1205 of actuation sled 52B. Sled support recess 1205 may be disposed on an underside of actuation sled 52B (e.g., opposite fins 53 A and 53B). Bottom sled support surface 1206, top sled support surface 1211, front sled support protrusion 1217, and chamfered or filleted edges 1219 may be similar to bottom sled support surface 511, top sled support surface 518, front sled support protrusion 519, and chamfered or filleted edges 521, respectively, and repeated discussion of these components will be omitted for brevity.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0087] Top sled support keel 1203 may extend substantially perpendicularly from sled support base 1202 (e.g., perpendicularly from top sled support surface 1211). Top sled support keel 1203 may include a substantially L-shaped boss extending from top sled support surface 1211, with top sled support keel overhang 1212 forming the shorter portion of the L-shaped boss and spaced from top sled support surface 1211. Top sled support keel overhang 1212 may include top angled sled support surface 1213 configured to frictionally contact top angled working member surface 1214 when in use. Top angled sled support surface may have substantially the same angle as top angled working member surface 1214 when in use.

[0088] Bottom sled support keel 1204 may extend substantially perpendicularly from sled support base 1202 (e.g., perpendicularly from bottom sled support surface 1206). Bottom sled support keel 1204 may include a substantially triangle-shaped boss extending from bottom sled support surface 1206. For example, bottom sled support keel 1204 may include bottom angled sled support surface 1220 configured to frictionally contact bottom angled working member surface 1221 when in use. Bottom angled sled support surface 1220 may have substantially the same angle as bottom angled working member surface 1221 (e.g., and top angled sled support surface 1213 and top angled working member surface 1214) when in use.

[0089] Rear sled support recess 1215 may be disposed at a proximal end of sled support base 102 and may be substantially adjacent to top sled support keel 1203 and bottom sled support keel 1204. Rear sled support recess 1215 may be substantially adjacent to rear sled recess 1216, through both of which at least a portion of working member 124B may be disposed in use. Rear sled support recess 1215 may extend through sled support base 1202 (e.g., from bottom sled support surface 1206 to top sled support surface 1211) and may be open on the rear side of sled support base 1202.

[0090] FIGs. 20-22 depict different examples of working members that me used with the respective actuation sleds discussed herein. For instance, the working member 124A depicted in FIG. 20 is an example working member that may be used with the actuation sled configurations depicted in FIGs. 5-11. The working member 124B depicted in FIGs. 21-22 is an example working member that may be used with the actuation sled configurations depicted in FIGs. 12-19.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 20, working member 124A includes a substantially vertical strut 130A, that includes a first flange 126 on the anvil-side of the strut 130A (e.g., the side of the strut closest the anvil 20) and a second flange 128 on the cartridge-side of the strut 130A (e.g., the side closest the cartridge assembly and opposite the anvil-side of the strut 130A). In some examples,Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01working member 124 A includes knife blade 131 disposed in recess 133 of working member 124A. Recess 133 is an indent into a top portion of strut 130A. Strut 130A may be a substantially rectangular prism (aside from recess 133 and knife blade 131) extending from first flange 126 to second flange 128. Working member 124A may include a substantially flat, continuous, and vertical surface 2001 extending approximately from recess 133 to second flange 128.

[0092] Referring to FIGs. 21 and 22, working member 124B includes a substantially vertical strut 13 OB that includes a first flange 126 on the anvil-side of the strut 13 OB (e.g., the side of the strut closest the anvil 20) and a second flange 128 on the cartridge-side of the strut 130B (e.g., the side closest the cartridge assembly and opposite the anvil-side of the strut 130B). In some examples, working member 124B includes knife blade 131 disposed in recess 133 of working member 124B. Strut 130B may extend from first flange 126 to second flange 128. Working member 124B may include top extending strut portion 2101 and bottom extending strut portion 2102.

[0093] Top extending strut portion 2101 may include top angled working member surface 1214, and bottom extending strut portion 2102 may include bottom angled working member surface 1221. Top extending strut portion 2101 and bottom extending strut portion 2102 may both extend substantially distally from strut 130B. Bottom angled working member surface 1221 may be disposed more distally and below top angled working member surface 1214. Similarly, bottom extending strut portion 2102 may be disposed more distally and below top angled working member surface 2101. As such, top angled working member surface 1214 and bottom angled working member surface 1221 may form a stair-step configuration. Top angled working member surface 1214 and bottom angled working member surface 1221 may both form acute angles with respect to, for example, bottom channel wall 32. The angles of top angled working member surface 1214 and bottom angled working member surface 1221 may be the same or substantially the same. Distal ends of top angled working member surface 1214 and bottom angled working member surface 1221 may be lower than proximal ends of top angled working member surface 1214 and bottom angled working member surface 1221. As discussed previously, top angled sled support surface 1213 is configured to contact and slides relative to top angled working member surface 1214, and bottom angled sled support surface 1220 is configured to contact and slides diagonally relative to bottom angled working member surface 1221.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0094] Referring to FIGs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, tissue gap compression member 55 may include proximal compression member end 2703, compression member hook 2701, distal compression member end 2705, channel member hook recess 2704, compression member slot 2702, and compression member legs 2706A and 2706B. Tissue gap compression member 55 may be disposed in channel member 26. For example, tissue gap compression member 55 may be disposed on bottom channel wall 32. In some examples, a distance between bottom channel wall 32 and an apex of a wave of tissue gap compression member 55 may be at least 0.020 inches. In some examples, tissue gap compression member 55 may be referred to as a wave spring or wavespring.

[0095] In some examples, tissue gap compression member 55 may be welded or otherwise attached or coupled to channel member 26 (e.g., to bottom channel wall 32) at proximal compression member end 2703 of tissue gap compression member 55. Proximal compression member end 2703 may be disposed proximal to handle assembly 12 as compared to the rest of tissue gap compression member 55.

[0096] In some examples, compression member hook 2701 may be disposed at distal compression member end 2705, which may be opposite of proximal compression member end 2705, and may be disposed distal to handle assembly 12 as compared to the rest of distal tissue gap compression member end 2705. Compression member hook 2701 may include a bent protrusion that wraps back around proximally and underneath tissue gap compression member 55.

[0097] Compression member hook 2701 may be configured to hook into channel member hook recess 2704. Channel member hook recess 2704 may be disposed at a distal end of channel member 26. Channel member hook recess 2704 may be disposed in bottom channel wall 32. Channel member hook recess 2704 may extend through channel wall 32 so that compression member hook 2701 is able to hook onto bottom channel wall 32 of channel member 26. Channel member hook recess 2704 may include additional clearance in the distal direction (e.g., several times the width of compression member hook 2701) to allow the compression member hook 2701 to move distally within channel member hook recess 2704.

[0098] Tissue gap compression member 55 may include a compression member slot 2702 that extends down the middle of at least a portion of (e.g., most) of the length of tissue gap compression member 55, splitting a portion or majority of tissue gap compression member 55 into two halves (e.g., compression member legs 2706A and 2706B).Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0099] Compression member legs 2706A and 2706B may be separated by compression member slot 2702. However, compression member legs 2706A and 2706B may be joined at distal compression member end 2705 as illustrated. Compression member legs 2706A and 2706B may be separate from one another at proximal compression member end 2703. In some examples, compression member legs 2706A and 2706B may be wavy and may be able to flatten when compressed. As such, when tissue gap compression member 55 is compressed (e.g., due to thick tissue present in the jaws of stapling device 10), tissue gap compression member 55 may expand, lengthen, or stretch (e.g., distally). In some examples, sled support keel 502 and / or bottom sled support keel 1204 may be configured to contact channel member 26 (e.g., bottom channel wall 32) where sled support keel 502 and / or bottom sled support keel 1204 are disposed between compression member legs 2706A and 2706B, that is, sled support keel 502 and / or bottom sled support keel 1204 are disposed in compression member slot 2702.

[0100] As mentioned previously, for further description of the tissue gap compression member 55, please refer to International Patent Publication WO 2024 / 092093 Al, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Tissue Gap Control. (While the compression member 55 is depicted as a wave spring, in other examples the compression member 55 may be one or more compression strips, such as those discussed in U.S. Patent No. 11,806,014, titled Surgical Stapling Device with Floating Staple Cartridge.)

[0101] 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.

[0102] Further, as used herein and in the claims, the phrase “at least one of element A, element B, or element C” is intended to convey any of: element A, element B, element C, elements A and B, elements A and C, elements B and C, and elements A, B, and C. In addition, one having skill in the art will understand the degree to which terms such as “about” or “substantially” convey in light of the measurements techniques utilized herein. To the extent such terms may not be clearlyAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01defined or understood by one having skill in the art, the terms “about” and “substantially” shall mean plus or minus ten percent or, if in relation to an angle, plus or minus ten degrees.

[0103] Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the appended claims. While various aspects have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the disclosure. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the claims.

[0104] The following examples are described herein.

[0105] Example 1. A surgical stapling device, comprising: an anvil assembly; a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly comprising: a channel member that defines an internal channel; a plurality of staple pushers configured to push staples towards the anvil assembly; an actuation sled configured to push the plurality of staple pushers; and a sled support component extending from a bottom of the actuation sled towards the channel member, wherein the sled support component prevents movement of the sled further towards the channel member while the staple pushers push the staples.

[0106] Example 2. The surgical stapling device of example 1, wherein the sled support component comprises a sled support base coupled to the actuation sled, and a sled support keel coupled to the sled support base.

[0107] Example 3. The surgical stapling device of example 2, wherein the sled support keel is in contact with a channel member of the surgical stapling device.

[0108] Example 4. The surgical stapling device of example 1, further comprising a working member configured to push the sled support component along with the actuation sled.

[0109] Example 5. The surgical stapling device of example 1, wherein at least a portion of a cartridge body, in a first configuration, is spaced from an inter-fin sled surface of the actuation sled by a first distance, and in a second configuration, is spaced from the inter-fin sled surface by a second distance less than the first distance, and wherein the actuation sled maintains a same vertical position above internal channel in both configurations.

[0110] Example 6. The surgical stapling device of example 5, wherein in the second configuration, the staple pushers travel a greater distance up a plurality of fins of the actuation sled than in the first configuration during firing.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0111] Example 7. The surgical stapling device of example 1, further comprising a tissue gap compression member, disposed in the channel member, upon which a cartridge is positioned such that a height of the cartridge above the channel member changes based on tissue thickness.

[0112] Example s. A surgical stapling device, comprising: an anvil assembly; a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the surgical stapling device from an unclamped position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising: a channel member that defines an internal channel; and a staple cartridge coupled to the channel member, the staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body that defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on sides of the knife slot; a plurality of staples disposed in the cartridge body; and a plurality of pushers configured to push the plurality of staples, wherein the plurality of pushers and the plurality of staples are received within the staple receiving pockets; an actuation sled configured to push the plurality of pushers; a sled support component, coupled to the actuation sled, extending from an underside of the actuation sled to a bottom channel wall of the channel member; and a working member that pushes the actuation sled and the sled support component distally during firing of the surgical stapling device.

[0113] Example 9. The surgical stapling device of example 8, wherein the sled support component includes a sled support base and a sled support keel, wherein the sled support keel is substantially perpendicular to the sled support base and extends downwards from the sled support base.

[0114] Example 10. The surgical stapling device of example 9, wherein the actuation sled comprises a sled support recess and a sled support protrusion recess, wherein the sled support component is configured to fit into the sled support recess, and wherein a sled support protrusion of the sled support component is configured to fit into the sled support protrusion recess.

[0115] Example 11. The surgical stapling device of example 8, wherein the working member pushes the sled support component along with the actuation sled during firing of the surgical stapling device.

[0116] Example 12. The surgical stapling device of example 8, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge body, in a first configuration where the surgical stapling device is clamping a first type of tissue, is spaced from an inter-fin sled surface of the actuation sled by a first distance, and in a second configuration where the surgical stapling device is clamping a second type of tissue,Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01is spaced from the inter-fin sled surface by a second distance less than the first distance, and wherein the actuation sled maintains a same vertical position, during firing, from the bottom channel wall of the channel member in both configurations.

[0117] Example 13. The surgical stapling device of example 12, wherein in the second configuration, the plurality of staple pushers travel a greater distance up a plurality of fins of the actuation sled than in the first configuration.

[0118] Example 14. A surgical stapling device, comprising: an anvil assembly; a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the surgical stapling device from an unclamped position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising: a plurality of pushers configured to push staples; and an actuation sled configured to push the plurality of pushers; a sled support component comprising: a bottom sled support keel, coupled to a bottom sled surface of the actuation sled, defining a bottom angled sled-support surface; and a top sled support keel defining a top angled sled-support surface; and a working member that pushes the actuation sled distally, wherein the working member defines: a top angled working-member surface configured to contact the top angled sled-support surface as the working member moves distally; and a bottom angled working member surface configured to contact the bottom angled sled-support surface as the working member moves distally.

[0119] Example 15. The surgical stapling device of example 14, wherein the angles of the top angled sled-support surface, the bottom angled sled-support surface, the top angled working-member surface, and the bottom angled working-member surface are substantially the same, and wherein the angles are acute with respect to a bottom channel wall of a channel member.

[0120] Example 16. The surgical stapling device of example 14, wherein the sled support component is configured to slide on the top angled working-member surface and the bottom angled working-member surface.

[0121] Example 17. The surgical stapling device of example 16, wherein the sled support component slides based at least in part on the actuation sled being pushed downwards during firing of the stapling device.

[0122] Example 18. The surgical stapling device of example 14, wherein the top sled support keel and the bottom sled support keel are disposed on opposite sides of bottom sled surface of the actuation sled.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01

[0123] Example 19. The surgical stapling device of example 14, wherein a distance between at least a portion of a cartridge body and an inter-fin sled surface of the actuation sled is substantially the same when thick tissue or thin tissue is clamped between the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly and the stapling device is fired.

[0124] Example 20. The surgical stapling device of examplel4, wherein the bottom angled working-member surface is disposed distally and below the top angled working-member surface.

Claims

Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A surgical stapling device (10), comprising:an anvil assembly (20);a cartridge assembly (22), the cartridge assembly comprising:a channel member (26) that defines an internal channel;a plurality of staple pushers (44) configured to push staples towards the anvil assembly (20);an actuation sled (52) configured to push the plurality of staple pushers (44); and a sled support component (501) extending from a bottom of the actuation sled (52) towards the channel member (26), wherein the sled support component (501) prevents movement of the sled (52) further towards the channel member (26) while the staple pushers (44) push the staples.

2. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the sled support component comprises a sled support base coupled to the actuation sled, and a sled support keel coupled to the sled support base.

3. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the sled support keel is in contact with a channel member of the surgical stapling device.

4. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a working member configured to push the sled support component along with the actuation sled.

5. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a cartridge body, in a first configuration, is spaced from an inter-fin sled surface of the actuation sled by a first distance, and in a second configuration, is spaced from the inter-fin sled surface by a second distance less than the first distance, and wherein the actuation sled maintains a same vertical position above internal channel in both configurations.Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ016. The surgical stapling device of claim 5, wherein in the second configuration, the staple pushers travel a greater distance up a plurality of fins of the actuation sled than in the first configuration during firing.

7. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a tissue gap compression member, disposed in the channel member, upon which a cartridge is positioned such that a height of the cartridge above the channel member changes based on tissue thickness.

8. A surgical stapling device (10), comprising:an anvil assembly (20);a cartridge assembly (22) coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the surgical stapling device from an unclamped position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising:a channel member (26) that defines an internal channel; anda staple cartridge (22) coupled to the channel member, the staple cartridge comprising:a cartridge body (38) that defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on sides of the knife slot;a plurality of staples (42) disposed in the cartridge body; anda plurality of pushers (44) configured to push the plurality of staples, wherein the plurality of pushers and the plurality of staples are received within the staple receiving pockets;an actuation sled (52) configured to push the plurality of pushers;a sled support component (501), coupled to the actuation sled, extending from an underside of the actuation sled to a bottom channel wall of the channel member; anda working member (124) that pushes the actuation sled and the sled support component distally during firing of the surgical stapling device.

9. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the sled support component includes a sled support base and a sled support keel, wherein the sled support keel isAttorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01substantially perpendicular to the sled support base and extends downwards from the sled support base.

10. The surgical stapling device of claim 9, wherein the actuation sled comprises a sled support recess and a sled support protrusion recess, wherein the sled support component is configured to fit into the sled support recess, and wherein a sled support protrusion of the sled support component is configured to fit into the sled support protrusion recess.

11. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein the working member pushes the sled support component along with the actuation sled during firing of the surgical stapling device.

12. The surgical stapling device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge body, in a first configuration where the surgical stapling device is clamping a first type of tissue, is spaced from an inter-fin sled surface of the actuation sled by a first distance, and in a second configuration where the surgical stapling device is clamping a second type of tissue, is spaced from the inter-fin sled surface by a second distance less than the first distance, and wherein the actuation sled maintains a same vertical position, during firing, from the bottom channel wall of the channel member in both configurations.

13. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, wherein in the second configuration, the plurality of staple pushers travel a greater distance up a plurality of fins of the actuation sled than in the first configuration.

14. A surgical stapling device (10), comprising:an anvil assembly (20);a cartridge assembly (22) coupled to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the surgical stapling device from an unclamped position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly comprising:a plurality of pushers (44) configured to push staples; andan actuation sled (52) configured to push the plurality of pushers;Attorney Docket No,: A0013207WQ01a sled support component (1201) comprising:a bottom sled support keel (1204), coupled to a bottom sled surface of theactuation sled, defining a bottom angled sled-support surface; anda top sled support keel (1203) defining a top angled sled-support surface; and a working member (124) that pushes the actuation sled distally, wherein the working member defines:a top angled working-member surface (1214) configured to contact the top angled sled-support surface as the working member moves distally; anda bottom angled working member surface (1221) configured to contact the bottom angled sled-support surface as the working member moves distally.

15. The surgical stapling device of claim 14, wherein the angles of the top angled sled-support surface, the bottom angled sled-support surface, the top angled working-member surface, and the bottom angled working-member surface are substantially the same, and wherein the angles are acute with respect to a bottom channel wall of a channel member.

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