Staple cartridge with retractable knife assembly
Inventors
Ren, Ping • Ahamed, Syed Sarfraz • Zhang, Jiangfeng
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12458350-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical stapling device includes a cartridge assembly including a staple pusher, a knife holder, a knife supported on the knife holder, and a biasing member. The biasing member is positioned between the staple pusher and the knife holder to prevent re-advancement of the knife blade after the stapling device is fired.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a cartridge assembly for a surgical stapling device that includes a cartridge body defining a cavity, a knife slot, a plurality of staple pockets, and a tissue engaging surface. A plurality of staples are received within the staple pockets, and a staple pusher is supported within the cavity to move from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject the staples from the staple pockets. A knife holder supports a knife blade and defines a recess, where the knife holder moves from a retracted position to an advanced position to move the knife blade from a retracted position recessed within the cartridge body to an advanced position extending from the knife slot.
The cartridge assembly further includes a biasing member receivable within the recess and positioned between the knife holder and the staple pusher. The biasing member includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm, and is configured to urge the knife holder and the knife blade towards their retracted positions. The first spring arm and second spring arm couple the mechanical elements through ring members engaged with the knife holder and the staple pusher.
A key aspect of the invention is that the second spring arm includes a ring member that is positioned between the staple pusher and the knife holder when the staple pusher is in an advanced position and the knife holder is in its retracted position. In some configurations, the ring member resides in the recess when the knife holder and staple pusher are retracted, and shifts to a misaligned position relative to the recess when the staple pusher becomes advanced while the knife holder remains retracted. This misalignment obstructs advancement of the knife holder and prevents re-exposure of the knife blade through the knife slot.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims. Across these claims, the main inventive features concern the cartridge structure, the knife holder and staple pusher kinematics, and a biasing member with first and second spring arms using ring members that interact via a recess and produce a misaligned obstructing condition.
Biasing member urging knife holder and staple pusher to retracted positions
A cartridge assembly in which a biasing member receivable within the knife holder recess is positioned between the knife holder and the staple pusher, configured to urge the knife holder and knife blade towards their retracted positions, the biasing member including a first spring arm with a first ring member engaged with the knife holder and a second spring arm with a second ring member engaged with the staple pusher.
Ring member positioned between staple pusher and knife holder when staple pusher is advanced and knife holder is retracted
A cartridge assembly where a biasing member is positioned between the knife holder and the staple pusher, the biasing member including first and second spring arms with the first spring arm engaged with the knife holder and the second spring arm engaged with the staple pusher, and wherein the second spring arm includes a ring member engaged with the staple pusher and positioned between the staple pusher and the knife holder when the staple pusher is in its advanced position and the knife holder is in its retracted position.
Surgical stapling device with a cartridge supported in a U-shaped distal frame gap and biasing member in the knife holder recess
A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly and a frame having a U-shaped distal frame portion with a gap, an anvil on the first transverse portion, a clamp slide assembly with a distal cartridge support positioned within the gap, and a cartridge assembly supported on the distal cartridge support, where the cartridge assembly includes a knife holder defining a recess and a biasing member receivable within the recess and positioned between the knife holder and the staple pusher, the biasing member comprising first and second spring arms with ring members engaged with the knife holder and the staple pusher and configured to urge the knife holder and knife blade towards their retracted positions.
The independent claims collectively cover a surgical stapling cartridge in which a biasing member with first and second spring arms and ring members couples the knife holder and staple pusher. The ring member interactions with the knife holder recess, including positioning between the staple pusher and knife holder in an advanced/retracted configuration and misalignment relative to the recess, maintain retracted positioning of the knife holder and blade.
Stated Advantages
Prevents re-exposure of the knife blade through the knife slot by obstructing advancement of the knife holder after firing when the staple pusher remains advanced while the knife holder retracts.
Documented Applications
Surgical stapling device cartridge assembly and a surgical stapling device including the cartridge assembly supported on a distal cartridge support of a clamp slide assembly.
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