Surgical stapling device with disposable cutting plate
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12465357-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical stapling device (10) includes an anvil (22) and a reload assembly (50) that includes a cartridge assembly (20) and a cutting plate (54). The reload assembly (50) is removably coupled to the stapling device (10) to facilitate replacement of the cartridge assembly (20) and the cutting plate (54) on the stapling device (10). In certain aspects of the disclosure, the reload assembly (50) also includes a shipping cap (52) that is supported on the cartridge assembly (20) and supports the cutting plate (54).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a surgical stapling device architecture that uses a removably supported reload assembly to position a cartridge assembly and a cutting plate within a frame. The frame defines a longitudinal axis and includes a distal transverse portion and a proximal transverse portion, with the distal transverse portion defining a channel. A fixed anvil is secured to the distal transverse portion over the channel so that the anvil and the channel define a channel inlet for receiving the cutting plate.
An approximation assembly supported on the frame includes a clamp slide assembly having a distal portion defining a pocket, with the clamp slide assembly movable from a retracted position to an advanced position. The reload assembly removably couples to the stapling device to position the cartridge assembly into the pocket of the clamp slide assembly and to position the cutting plate in the channel of the distal transverse portion. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher and a cutting plate removal pin engageable with the pusher, and the pusher is movable longitudinally from a retracted position to an advanced position for ejecting staples.
During movement of the pusher from its retracted position to its advanced position, the pusher engages the cutting plate removal pin to move the cutting plate removal pin from its retracted position to its advanced position. A shipping cap is supported on the cartridge assembly and supports the cutting plate during reload assembly handling, including resilient fingers forming a guide channel. When a cartridge assembly is withdrawn from the pocket, the cutting plate removal pin pulls the cutting plate through the channel inlet to remove it from the anvil, enabling installation alignment through the guide channel.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00011. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a frame with a channel and fixed anvil, an approximation assembly with a movable clamp slide pocket, and a removably supported reload assembly that uses coordinated longitudinal movement of a pusher and a cutting plate removal pin, including a shipping cap that supports the cutting plate and guides installation into a channel inlet.
Longitudinal frame with channel and fixed anvil defining channel inlet
A frame defining a longitudinal axis, the frame including a distal transverse portion, a proximal transverse portion, and a central longitudinal portion extending between the distal and proximal transverse portions, the distal transverse portion of the frame defining a channel, and an anvil fixedly secured to the distal transverse portion of the frame over the channel, wherein the anvil and the channel define a channel inlet.
Movable clamp slide pocket for positioning cartridge assembly
An approximation assembly supported on the frame including a clamp slide assembly having a distal portion defining a pocket, the clamp slide assembly movable in relation to the frame from a retracted position to an advanced position, wherein the reload assembly positions a cartridge assembly in the pocket.
Removably supported reload assembly positioning cutting plate in frame channel
A reload assembly including a cartridge assembly with a pusher and a cutting plate removal pin engageable with the pusher, and a cutting plate supported on the cartridge assembly, the reload assembly being removably supported on the stapling device to position the cartridge assembly in the pocket of the clamp slide assembly and to position the cutting plate in the channel of the distal transverse portion of the frame.
Coordinated longitudinal pusher engagement with cutting plate removal pin
The pusher being movable longitudinally from a retracted position to an advanced position for ejecting staples, and the cutting plate removal pin being movable longitudinally for engagement with the cutting plate, wherein the pusher is positioned to engage the cutting plate removal pin as the pusher is moved from its retracted position to its advanced position to move the cutting plate removal pin from its retracted position to its advanced position.
Shipping cap supporting and guiding cutting plate into channel inlet
A reload assembly including a cartridge assembly with a pusher and a cutting plate removal pin engageable with the pusher, a shipping cap, and a cutting plate, the shipping cap supported on the cartridge assembly and the cutting plate supported on the shipping cap, wherein the shipping cap includes resilient fingers defining a guide channel positioned to receive the distal transverse portion of the frame during installation to guide the cutting plate into the channel inlet.
Pin-driven cutting plate removal upon cartridge withdrawal
The cutting plate removal pin being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for engagement with the cutting plate, wherein, in the advanced position, removing the cartridge assembly from the clamp slide assembly effects removal of the cutting plate from the channel.
The independent claims collectively require a longitudinal frame with a distal channel and fixed anvil defining a channel inlet, a movable clamp slide pocket for positioning a cartridge, and a removably supported reload assembly where a longitudinal pusher ejects staples and engages a longitudinally movable cutting plate removal pin. The broader claim set further includes a shipping cap that supports the cutting plate and includes resilient fingers defining a guide channel for installation alignment into the channel inlet, with the advanced engaged position of the pin tied to cutting plate removal when the cartridge is withdrawn.
Stated Advantages
Reduces firing force for clean cutting by using cutting plate materials with local deformation.
Helps guide installation by using a shipping cap guide channel positioned to receive the distal transverse portion of the frame and guide the cutting plate into the channel inlet.
Enables replacement of a cutting plate by removing the cutting plate through the channel inlet when the cartridge is withdrawn.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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