Reloadable surgical instrument

US5855311A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Steven W. Hamblin · Loveland, US
• David A. Witt · Maineville, US
• Thomas J. Sierocuk · New Berlin, US
• Kirk M. Nicola · Cincinnati, US
• Matthew Otten · Cincinnati, US
• Craig B. Berky · Milford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 1995
• Grant date: Jan 5, 1999
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2929
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.