`[19]
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,465,895
`
`Knodel et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Nov. 14, 1995
`
`||||||l|||||||||||||||||||||||ll||||||||||||||||||||||||||l|llll||l||||||||
`USOOS465895A
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`SURGICAL STAPLER INSTRUMENT
`
`Inventors: Bryan D. Knodel, Cincinnati; Richard
`P. Nuchols; Warren P. Williamson,
`Iv, both of Loveland, all Of Ohio
`.
`Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.,
`Cincinnati, Ohio
`
`Appl. No.: 191,412
`.
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 3, 1994
`
`5
`
`................................................... A613 17/068
`Int. Cl.
`............................. 227/176, 227/180, 227,19
`US. Cl.
`Field of Search .............................. 227/19, 902, 175,
`227/176, 178, 180
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,263,629
`5,275,323
`
`11/1993 Trumbull et a1.
`1/1994 Schulze et al. .
`
`.
`
`5/ 1994 Olson 9131- -
`53077975
`.............................. 227/19
`7/1994 Green et a1.
`5,318,221
`9/1994 ESpOSiIO Ct a1.
`........................ 227/902
`5,350,400
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`728848
`
`4/1980 U.S.S.R. .
`
`Primary Examiner—Scott A. Smith
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral
`lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between
`those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion,
`an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive mem—
`her and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes
`a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is
`adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the
`implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with
`the handle portion and is engaged With the drive member
`such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to
`move back and forth between first and second drive posi—
`tions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further
`provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`the drive member for causmg the rec1procating section to
`move back and forth between first and second recrprocating
`positions in response to movement of the drive member. The
`reciprocating section includes a work portion which, when
`moved distally, effects the firing of staples in the staple
`cartridge toward the anvil. The work portion is also provided
`with a reciprocating knife. The first and second reciprocating
`positions are separated by a second distance which differs
`from the fir“ dlsmce‘
`
`15 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`.
`
`.
`
`7/1985 Green .
`4,530,453
`2/1935 Green ~
`4,568,009
`-
`3/1986 Glee“. e‘ 31-
`4,573,622
`5/1986 1311““ ‘
`4'589’582
`6/1986 Fedotov et a1.
`4,596,351
`8/1986 Rothfuss et 31'
`4,605,001
`8/1986 Kula et a1.
`.
`4,607,636
`.
`1,1937 Chow et a1.
`4,633,861
`,
`1/1937 Chow et a1.
`4,533,374
`4/1990 Green ...................................... 227/178
`4,915,100
`4,978,049 1711990 Green .
`5,014,399
`5/1991 PfeSty 6‘ 3L -
`gggggig 1333; S3: 2: :11 -
`5:156:614 10/1992 Green et a1.
`.
`5,170,925
`12/1992 Madden et a1.
`5,180,092
`1/1993 Crainich .
`
`.
`
`
`
`IS 1012
`
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`1
`SURGICAL STAPLER INSTRUMENT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates in general to surgical stapler
`instruments which are capable of applying lines of staples to
`tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines and,
`more particularly, to improvements relating to stapler instru—
`ments and improvements in processes for forming various
`components of such stapler instruments.
`to
`Surgical staplers have been used in the prior art
`simultaneously make a longitudinal incision in tissue and
`apply lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. Such
`instruments commonly include a pair of cooperating jaw
`members which, if the instrument is intended for endoscopic
`or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing through
`a cannula passageway. One of the jaw members receives a
`staple cartridge having at least two laterally spaced rows of
`staples. The other jaw member defines an anvil having
`staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in
`the cartridge. The instrument includes a plurality of recip-
`rocating wedges which, when driven distally, pass through
`openings in the staple cartridge and engage drivers support-
`ing the staples to effect the firing of the staples toward the
`anvil.
`
`The wedges are commonly formed from metal and
`assembled in a pusher block to form a single component.
`Since a number of individual parts must be assembled to
`form this component, it is costly to manufacture. Also, such
`components, because they are comprised of a number of
`individual parts, oftentimes have less than optimum stability.
`Further, it has been found that use of metal wedges results
`in a high coeflicient of friction between the wedges and the
`drivers during staple firing.
`The prior art wedges generally include a straight, single-
`angle cam surface. The cam surface is designed to provide
`suflieient force for bending over ends of the staples. While
`the cam design performs the desired operation, it also results
`in an undesirable increase in the overall
`length of the
`instrument.
`
`Prior art mechanisms for driving wedges distally into a
`staple cartridge commonly include a firing mechanism and
`a motion transfer mechanism. The firing mechanism is
`engaged by a surgeon to effect staple firing. Most currently
`available motion transfer mechanisms, which are interposed
`between the firing mechanism and the pusher block, are not
`easily modifiable for use in stapler instruments having
`different staple line lengths and/or staple firing force require—
`ments so as to permit, for a given instrument, the length of
`the stroke of the firing mechanism and the force required to
`move it to be set at ergonomically preferred values.
`Accordingly,
`there is a need for an improved stapler
`instrument. Preferably, such an instrument would have
`wedges integrally formed as a single unit. Also,
`the
`improved stapler instrument would have wedges which are
`formed from an improved material such that the coeflicient
`of friction between the wedges and the drivers during staple
`firing is reduced over that found in the prior art. The
`improved stapler would also have wedges provided with a
`more efficient cam surface profile. There is further a need for
`an improved motion transfer mechanism which is easily
`adaptable for use in various stapler instruments having
`different staple line lengths and/or staple firing force require—
`ments so as to permit, for a given instrument, the length of
`the stroke of the firing mechanism and the force required to
`move it to be set at ergonomically preferred values.
`
`5,465,895
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, an improved
`surgical stapler instrument is provided. The improved instru-
`ment includes a plurality of wedges and a pusher block
`which are integrally formed as a single wedge work member.
`The wedge work member is formed from a liquid crystal
`polymer, which material results in a reduced coefiicient of
`friction between the wedges and the drivers during staple
`firing over that found in the prior art. An improved cam
`surface profile on the wedges is also provided. The instrun
`ment also includes a multiplier to vary the motion generated
`by the firing trigger to impart either increased or decreased
`motion to the wedges. The multiplier of the present inven-
`tion is easily modifiable for use in stapler instruments having
`different staple line lengths and/or staple firing force require-
`ments so as to permit, for a given instrument, the length of
`the stroke of the firing trigger and the force required to move
`it to be set at ergonomically preferred values. An improved
`method for forming a staple instrument anvil is also pro-
`Vided.
`
`In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
`a surgical instrument is provided and comprises: a handle
`portion; an implement portion including first and second
`implements capable of performing a function during a
`surgical procedure; a reciprocating section adapted to move
`back and forth along an axis of the implement portion; a
`drive member; a movable actuator associated with the
`handle portion and engaged with the drive member such that
`motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move
`back and forth between first and second drive positions
`separated by a first distance; and, a multiplier associated
`with the reciprocating section and the drive member for
`causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth
`between first and second reciprocating positions in response
`to movement of the drive member. The reciprocating section
`includes a work portion which, when moved distally, is
`capable of causing the first and second implements to
`perform the function. The first and second reciprocating
`positions are separated by a second distance which differs
`from the first distance.
`
`The multiplier may comprise first and second integral
`pinion gears. The first pinion gear is engaged with the
`reciprocating section and the second pinion gear is engaged
`with the drive member. The first pinion gear has a first
`- diameter and the second pinion gear has a second diameter
`which is smaller than the first diameter. Alternatively, the
`first diameter of the first pinion may be smaller than the
`second diameter of the second pinion.
`The implement portion comprises: a staple cartridge hav-
`ing a plurality of staples and at least one slot for receiving
`a distal end of the work portion; an elongated channel
`extending from the handle portion and having a distal end
`which is adapted to receive the staple cartridge; an anvil
`mounted on the elongated channel for pivotable movement
`toward and away from the cartridge; and means for effecting
`pivotable movement of the anvil. The staple cartridge
`defines the first implement. The anvil defines the second
`implement. The work portion causes the staples to fire
`toward the anvil upon movement of the distal end of the
`work portion into the cartridge.
`The means for effecting pivotable movement of the anvil
`comprises: a closure tube having distal and proximal ends;
`a closure trigger having a handle section and a gear segment
`section; and, a closure yoke having distal and proximal ends.
`The distal end of the closure tube is adapted to engage the
`anvil for effecting pivotable movement of the anvil. The
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`distal end of the yoke is connected to the proximal end of the
`closure tube and the proximal end of the yoke has a gear rack
`which is adapted to engage the gear segment section, such
`that movement of the closure trigger eifects movement of the
`closure tube.
`
`The anvil is provided with a stop and the distal end of the
`closure tube is provided with a tab engageable with the stop,
`such that movement of the closure trigger away from the
`handle portion causes the tab to engage the stop and pivot
`the anvil away from the cartridge.
`The work portion comprises: a pusher block; a plurality of
`wedges connected to the pusher block; and a reciprocating
`knife. The wedges define the distal end of the work portion.
`The knife includes a boss at its proximal end and the pusher
`block is provided with a recess for receiving the boss. The
`recess is defined by front, rear and side surfaces formed in
`the pusher block. The pusher block effects movement of the
`knife upon engagement of the boss with one of the front and
`rear surfaces. Preferably, the pusher block and the plurality
`of wedges are integrally molded from a liquid crystal
`polymer.
`In accordance with a second aspect of the present inven-
`tion, a surgical instrument is provided and comprises: a
`handle portion; an implement portion having first and sec-
`ond implements adapted to perform a function during a
`surgical procedure; a reciprocating section adapted to move
`back and forth along an axis of the implement portion; a
`movable actuating mechanism associated with the handle
`portion; and, a multiplier engaged with the actuating mecha—
`nism and the reciprocating section such that motion of the
`actuating mechanism causes the multiplier to effect multi-
`plied motion of the reciprocating section. The reciprocating
`section includes a work portion capable of causing the first
`and second implements to perform the function. The recip-
`rocating section further includes a first drive member.
`The actuating mechanism comprises a second drive mem-
`ber and an actuator associated with the second drive member
`
`for causing the second drive member to reciprocate back and
`forth between first and second drive positions.
`The multiplier comprises first and second integral pinion
`gears. The first pinion gear is engaged with the first drive
`member and the second pinion gear is engaged with the
`second drive member. The first pinion gear has a first
`diameter and the second pinion gear has a second diameter
`which is smaller than the first diameter.
`
`In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
`a wedge work member is provided for use in a surgical
`stapler having a staple cartridge provided with drivers
`supporting staples. The wedge work member comprises: a
`pusher block and a plurality of wedges formed from a liquid
`crystal polymer. The wedges are adapted to pass through
`openings in the staple cartridge to engage the drivers to
`eifect the firing of the staples. Preferably, the wedges and the
`pusher block are integrally formed as a single unit. The
`liquid crystal polymer may comprise a fiber reinforced
`liquid crystal polymer. The fiber reinforced liquid crystal
`polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of
`carbon fiber reinforced copolyesters and carbon fiber rein-
`forced copolyester-amides.
`In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present inven-
`tion, a wedge work member is provided for use in a surgical
`stapler having a staple cartridge provided with at least one
`driver supportng at
`least one staple. The wedge work
`member comprises: a pusher block and at least one wedge
`having an elongated portion and a camming portion. The
`camming portion has first and second cam surfaces which
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`sequentially engage the driver supporting the staple to eflect
`the firing of the staple. The first cam surface forms a first
`angle with a first plane and the second cam surface forms a
`second angle with a second plane. The first plane is generally
`parallel with the second plane and the first angle is different
`from the second angle. Preferably, the first angle is greater
`than the second angle.
`In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
`a method is provided for forming an anvil adapted for use in
`a surgical stapler. The method comprises the steps of:
`forming a wax pattern having an anvil shape and including
`a plurality of pockets therein; dipping the wax pattern into
`a slurry of material to form an outer shell about the wax
`pattern; heating the outer shell causing the wax in the outer
`shell to melt and leave the outer shell; filling the outer shell
`with molten metal to form a metal casting of the anvil within
`the outer shell; removing the outer shell from the metal
`casting; and removing surface irregularities from within
`each of the plurality of pockets in the casting to form a
`finished casting. The finished casting defines the anvil.
`Accordingly,
`it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an improved surgical stapler instrument. It is further
`an object of the present invention to provide a wedge work
`member for use in a surgical stapler instrument which
`comprises a plurality of wedges and a pusher block which
`are integrally formed as a single unit. It is another object of
`the present invention to provide wedges for use in a stapler
`instrument which are formed from a liquid crystal polymer.
`It is still further an object of the present invention to provide
`wedges for use in a stapler instrument which are provided
`with an improved cam surface profile. It is still another
`obj ect of the present invention to provide a multiplier for use
`in an instrument to effect multiplied motion of a work
`portion of the instrument. It is yet further an object of the
`present invention to provide an improved method for form-
`ing a surgical instrument anvil. These and other objects and
`advantages of the present invention will be apparent from
`the following description, the accompanying drawings and
`the appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapler instru-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an implement portion of the
`instrument shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the handle portion,
`the firing trigger, the closure trigger, the spring, the motion
`transfer mechanism, the yoke and the release button of the
`instrument in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a side view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1
`with the anvil in its tissue-clamping position;
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1
`
`with the firing trigger positioned directly adjacent to the
`closure trigger;
`FIG. 6 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a
`proximal portion of the instrument shown in FIG. 1 prior to
`tissue clamping;
`FIG. 7 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the
`implement portion prior to tissue clamping;
`FIG. 7a is a view taken along line 7a—7a in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 8a is a side view of the anvil of the instrument in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8b is a view of the lower surface of the anvil shown
`in FIG. 8a;
`
`19
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`5,465,895
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`5
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`FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the
`implement portion with the anvil shown in its tissue-clamp-
`ing position;
`FIG. 10 is a front side view, partially in cross-section, of
`a proximal portion of the instrument shown in FIG. 1 with
`the closure trigger moved to its tissue-clamping position;
`FIG. 10a is a back side view of the closure trigger, the
`firing trigger, the spring, a portion of the yoke, a portion of
`the closure tube and a portion of the channel with those
`elements positioned as shown in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 11 is a cross—sectional view of the implement portion
`with the wedge work member and the knife in their distal—
`most positions;
`FIG. 11a is an enlarged top view of a portion of the staple
`cartridge of the instrument shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 11b is a view taken along section line 11b—11b in
`FIG. 11a;
`FIG. 12 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a
`proximal portion of the instrument with the firing trigger
`shown positioned adjacent to the closure trigger;
`FIG. 13 is a side view of the knife of the instrument shown
`in FIG. 1;
`.
`FIG. 14a is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a
`portion of the staple cartridge including the lockout member
`and a portion of the knife;
`FIG. 14b is a View similar to FIG. 14a with the lockout
`member pushed downward beneath a guide member of the
`cartridge;
`FIG. 15a is a side View of a carnming portion of a wedge
`formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 15b is a side View of a carnming portion of a wedge
`formed in accordance with a second embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 16a is a top view of the wedge guide of the
`instrument shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 16b is a side view of the wedge guide shown in FIG.
`16a;
`FIG. 16c is an end view of the wedge guide shown in FIG.
`16a;
`FIG. 17a is a side view of the first channel section of the
`instrument shown in FIG. 1; and,
`FIG. 17b is a plan view of the first channel section shown
`in FIG. 17a.
`
`,
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a
`surgical stapler and severing instrument 100 formed in
`accordance with the present invention. The stapler instru-
`ment 100 includes an implement portion 110 having an
`' elongated channel 112 and an anvil 114, see also FIGS. 2 and
`3. A distal end 112a of the elongated channel 112 releasably
`receives a staple cartridge 120. Housed within the staple
`cartridge 120 are a plurality of drivers 122a—122d, each
`supporting one or more staples 124, see FIGS. 11a and 11b.
`The anvil 114 is mounted on the channel 112 for pivotable
`movement toward and away from the distal end 112a of the
`channel 112. The instrument 100 further includes a handle
`portion 130, a firing trigger 140, a closure trigger 150, and
`a knife 161. As will be discussed more explicitly below, by
`grasping the closure trigger 150 and moving it to a position
`directly adjacent to a base section 130a of the handle portion
`
`6
`the anvil 114 is caused to pivot to a
`130, see FIG. 4,
`tissue-clamping position, such that it is essentially parallel to
`and spaced from an upper surface 120a of the staple car—
`tridge 120. A pin 121 is provided on the cartridge 120 and
`is engaged by the anvil 114 when the anvil 114 is in its
`tissue—clamping
`position. After
`tissue
`clamping has
`occurred, the firing trigger 140 can then be moved toward
`the base section 130a, see FIG. 5, to cause stapling and
`severing of tissue 200 engaged between the anvil 114 and the
`staple cartridge 120.
`The handle portion 130 is comprised of first and second
`base sections 132 and 134, see FIG. 3, which are molded
`from a polymeric material such as a glass-filled polycarbon-
`ate. The first section 132 is provided with a plurality of
`cylindrical-shaped pins (not shown). The second section 134
`includes a plurality of extending members 134a, each hav-
`ing a hexagonal-shaped opening 134b, see also FIG. 6. The
`pins are received within the openings 13411 and are friction-
`ally held therein for maintaining the first and second sections
`132 and 134 in assembly.
`The staple cartridge 120 is divided by a central, elongated
`slot 125 which extends from the proximal end 12% of the
`cartridge 120 towards its tapered outer tip 120e, see FIGS.
`2 and 7a. A plurality of staple receiving pockets 126a—126f
`are formed within the staple cartridge 120 and are arranged
`in six laterally spaced longitudinal rows, see FIGS. 11a and
`11b. An opening 126g extends between every two adjacent
`pockets 126a and 126b. An opening 126g also extends
`between every two adjacent pockets 126e and 126f. Posi-
`tioned within the pockets 126a—126f are the staples 124.
`The cartridge 120 further includes four laterally spaced
`longitudinal rows of staple drivers 122a—122d. Drivers 122a
`are slidably mounted within the pockets 126a and 126b such
`that each driver 122a supports two staples 124, one in a
`pocket 126a and one in a pocket 12617. The drivers 12212 are
`slidably received within the pockets 126c. The drivers 122C
`are slidably received within the pockets 126d. Each of the
`drivers 122b and 122C supports a single staple 124. Each of
`the drivers 122b and 1226 is provided with a lateral rib 123
`for guiding and stabilizing the driver as it moves within its
`respective pocket. The drivers 122d are slidably mounted
`within the pockets 126e and 126f such that each driver 122d
`supports two staples 124, one in a pocket 126a and one in a
`pocket 126f.
`The cartridge 120 further includes four longitudinal slots
`129 extending from its proximal end 1201) to its tapered
`outer tip 120C, see FIG. 7a. Wedges 162b provided at the
`distal end of a wedge work member 162 pass through the
`slots 129 and engage the drivers 122a—122d to effect the
`firing of the staples 124 toward the anvil 114, see FIG. 11b.
`Grooves 112a' are provided in the distal end 112a of the
`elongated channel 112 for receiving, guiding and stabilizing
`the wedges 162b as they move through the slots 129, see
`FIG. 17b.
`
`As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated channel 112 is com-
`prised of first and second channel sections 112b and 112c. In
`the illustrated embodiment, the first channel section 11217 is
`formed from metal and the second section 112C is formed
`from a polymeric material, such as a carbon-fiber filled
`polycarbonate. The staple cartridge 120 is snapped in place
`at the distal end of the first section 112b, which end defines
`the distal end 112a of the elongated channel 112. Alignment
`tabs 120d provided on the staple cartridge 120 are received
`in slots 112b' in the first section 1121;, see FIGS. 7 and 17a.
`The distal end 112d of the second section 112C snaps onto
`the proximal end 112:: of the first section 11%. The proximal
`
`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`20
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`20
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`7
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`8
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`5,465,895
`
`end 1121’ of the second section 112C is provided with a
`circumferential notch 112g which is engaged by opposing
`channel securement members extending from the base sec—
`tions 132 and 134. Only channel securement member 1346
`of section 134 is shown, see FIG. 3. The channel securement
`members extending from the base sections 132 and 134
`serve to secure the channel 112 to the handle portion 130
`such that the channel 112 does not move longitudinally
`relative to the handle portion 130.
`The anvil 114 includes first and second laterally posi-
`tioned pins 114a and 11417, see FIGS. 2, 8A and 8B. The pins
`114a and 114b are received respectively within slots 113a
`and 1317 provided in the first channel section 11217.
`Referring again to FIG. 2, a closure tube 152 is provided
`which moves longitudinally with respect
`to the handle
`portion 130 to effect pivotal movement of the anvil 114. The
`closure tube 152 has the first and second channel sections
`112k and 112C extending through it. The closure tube 152 is
`also capable of rotating with respect to the handle portion
`130 via a rotating knob 135.
`The rotating knob 135 has a bore 135a extending com—
`pletely through it, see FIG. 3. The knob 135 includes a
`protruding boss 1351) extending from its inner sidewall
`135C. The boss 135b is received within a slot 152f provided
`in the closure tube 152 such that rotation of the knob 135
`
`effects rotation of the closure tube 152. The elongated
`channel 112, the cartridge 120 and the anvil 114 rotate with
`the closure tube 152.
`
`An external tube 156, shown only in FIGS. 2 and 4, is
`received over the closure tube 152 and seals with a sealing
`member (not shown) provided within a trocar cannula (not
`shown) through which the instrument 100 passes when used
`during an endoscopic procedure. In the illustrated embodi-
`ment, the external tube 156 is formed from a polymeric
`material, such as polypropylene. The closure tube 152 is
`permitted to rotate with respect to the external tube 156.
`Provided at the distal end 152a of the closure tube 152 is
`a tab 152b, see FIGS. 2 and 7. A stop 114C is provided at the
`proximal end of the anvil 114, see FIG. 8A. Upon proximal
`movement of the closure tube 152, the tab 152b engages the
`stop 114C to pivot the anvil 114 away from the distal end
`112a of the channel 112, see FIG. 7. The outer distal edge
`1520 of the closure tube 152 defines a camrning surface.
`When the closure tube 152 moves distally, the distal edge
`152c- engages an upper portion 114d of the anvil 114 causing
`the anvil 114 to pivot toward the distal end 112a of the
`channel 112 to its tissue-clamping position, see FIGS. 4 and
`9.
`
`Referring again to FIG. 3, the closure trigger 150 has a
`handle section 150a, a gear segment section 150b, and an
`intermediate section 150C. A bore 150d extends through the
`intermediate section 1500. A cylindrical support member
`134d extending from the second base section 134 passes
`through the bore 150d for pivotably mounting the closure
`trigger 150 on the handle portion 130. A hexagonal opening
`134a is provided in the support member 134d for receiving
`a securement pin (not shown) extending from the first base
`section 132. Aclosure yoke 154 is housed within the housing
`portion 130 for reciprocating movement therein and serves
`to transfer motion from the closure trigger 150 to the closure
`tube 152. Support members 134f extending from the second
`base section 134 and securement member 134e, which
`extends through a recess 154g (see also FIG. 6) in the yoke
`154, support the yoke 154 within the housing portion 130.
`The proximal end 152d of the closure tube 152 is provided
`with a flange 1523 which is snap-fitted into a receiving
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`21
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`recess 154a formed in the distal end 154b of the yoke 154,
`see FIGS. 3 and 6. The proximal end 1546' of the yoke 154
`has a gear rack 154d which is engaged by the gear segment
`section 15% of the closure trigger 150, see also FIG. 10a.
`When the closure trigger 150 is moved toward the base
`section 130a of the handle portion 130, the yoke 154 and,
`hence, the closure tube 152 move distally. Distal movement
`of the closure tube 152 effects pivotal movement of the anvil
`114 toward the distal end 112a of the channel 112, see FIGS.
`4 and 9. Movement of the closure trigger 150 away from the
`base section 130a effects proximal movement of the closure
`tube 152 causing the tab 152b on the tube 152 to engage the
`stop 114c on the anvil 114 and pivot the anvil 114 away from
`the distal end 112a of the channel 112, see FIG. 7.
`
`The yoke 154 is provided with a second recess 154e, see
`FIGS. 3 and 6, which is capable of receiving a flange of a
`closure tube (not shown) having a size that differs from the
`one illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, the yoke 154 shown in FIG.
`3 can be used in the manufacture of the illustrated stapler
`instrument or a stapler instrument (not shown) having a
`closure tube with a flange of a different size.
`A firing trigger return spring 136 is located within the
`handle portion 130. The spring 136 has opposed ends
`attached to a pin 134g extending from the second base
`section 134 and a pin 140a on the firing trigger 140. The
`spring 136 applies a return force to the pin 140a for biasing
`the firing trigger 140 in a direction away from the base
`section 130a of the handle portion 130.
`The firing trigger 140 has an engaging surface 14% which
`is adapted to engage with a front surface 150e on the closure
`trigger 150, see FIGS. 3 and 10a. As the closure trigger 150
`is moved toward the base section 130a, its front surface 150e
`engages with the engaging surface 140]; on the firing trigger
`140 causing the firing trigger 140 to move to its “firing”
`position. When in its firing position, the firing trigger 140 is
`located at an angle of approximately 45° to the base section
`130a, see FIGS. 4, 10 and 10a. After staple firing, the spring
`136 causes the firing trigger 140 to return to its initial
`position, see FIGS. 1 and 6. During the return movement of
`the firing trigger 140,
`its engaging surface 14017 pushes
`against the front surface 1509 of the closure trigger 150
`causing the closure trigger 150 to return to its initial posi-
`tion. A stop