Patent Publication Number: US-11395654-B2

Title: Surgical stapling device with articulation braking assembly

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure is directed to surgical stapling devices and, more particularly, to surgical stapling devices that have articulating tool assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Surgical stapling devices for suturing and cutting tissue in a fast and efficient manner to perform a variety of surgical procedures are well known. Typically, a surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that has first and second jaws that support a cartridge assembly and an anvil, respectively. The first and second jaws are mounted together to allow for movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions. 
     Typically, endoscopic surgical stapling devices include an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis and the tool assembly is pivotably supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft about the transverse axis. In known endoscopic stapling devices, an articulation rod is coupled to the tool assembly and is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly about the transverse axis between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. When the position of the tool assembly is fixed at a desired articulated position and the tool assembly is clamped and fired, due to the inherent clearances of the components in the reload assembly and the firing forces required to fire the stapling device, the articulation rod may undesirably experience tremors that are transferred to the tool assembly. 
     Accordingly, a continuing need exists in the suturing arts for a surgical stapling device that can minimize tremors during firing of the stapling device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a surgical stapling device that includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and a tool assembly that articulates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The surgical stapling device includes an articulation member that is supported in the body portion and is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. The body portion supports a braking assembly that moves into engagement with the articulation member to stabilize the articulation member when the surgical stapling device is fired. 
     One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device including a body portion, a tool assembly, an articulation member, and a braking assembly. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal portion of the body portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly and is pivotable from a non-articulated position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion to articulated positions in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is misaligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The articulation member is supported within the body portion and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is coupled to the tool assembly and the articulation member is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly between the articulated and non-articulated positions. The braking assembly is supported within the body portion and includes a first brake pad positioned on one side of the articulation member. The braking assembly is movable from a first position in which the first brake pad is spaced from the articulation member to a second position in which the first brake pad is engaged with the articulation member. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device including a body portion, a tool assembly, an articulation member, and a braking assembly. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal portion of the body portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly and is pivotable from a non-articulated position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion to articulated positions in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is misaligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The articulation member is supported within the body portion and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is coupled to the tool assembly and the articulation member is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly between the articulated and non-articulated positions. The braking assembly is supported within the body portion and includes a first brake pad that is positioned on one side of the articulation member and a base member supported on the other side of the articulation rod. The base member is movable from a first position in which the first brake pad is spaced from the articulation member and a second position in which the first brake pad is engaged with the articulation member. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device including a body portion, a tool assembly, an articulation member, and a braking assembly. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal portion of the body portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The tool assembly is pivotable from a non-articulated position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion to articulated positions in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is misaligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The articulation member is supported within the body portion and has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is coupled to the tool assembly and the articulation member is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly between the articulated and non-articulated positions. The braking assembly is supported within the body portion and includes a first brake pad positioned on one side of the articulation member. The braking assembly is movable from a first position in which the first brake pad is spaced from the articulation member to a second position in which the first brake pad is engaged with the articulation member. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the braking assembly includes a second brake pad that is positioned on a second side of the articulation member, and the articulation member is clamped between the first and second brake pads when the braking assembly is in the second position. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the braking assembly includes a base member and a support member, and the brake pad is supported on the base member. 
     In certain aspects of the disclosure, the braking assembly includes a biasing member that is positioned to urge the braking assembly towards the first position. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member is engaged with the support member. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the stapling device includes a drive assembly that is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly. 
     In certain aspects of the disclosure, the drive assembly includes a flexible drive beam and the support member of the braking assembly is supported on the flexible drive beam. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the base member of the braking assembly is received within a pocket defined in the body portion, and the base member movable within the pocket as the braking assembly moves from the first position to the second position. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the flexible drive beam defines a concavity and the support member is received within the concavity. 
     In certain aspects of the disclosure, the concavity is defined by a tapered wall and engagement between the tapered wall and the support member of the braking assembly causes movement of the braking assembly from the first position to the second position when the drive assembly moves from the retracted position towards the advanced position. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the stapling device includes a handle assembly and an adapter assembly, and the body portion is coupled to the adapter assembly. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of the disclosed stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device with according to aspects of the disclosure with a tool assembly of the stapling device in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side perspective view of a reload assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the reload assembly shown in  FIG. 2  with an outer tube of a proximal body portion of the reload assembly shown in phantom and the tool assembly in an articulated position; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a distal portion of the proximal body portion of the reload assembly shown in  FIG. 3  with an anvil adapter and the outer tube of the proximal body portion of the reload assembly removed and the tool assembly in an articulated position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a distal portion of the anvil adapter of the proximal body portion of the reload assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the proximal body portion of the reload assembly shown in  FIG. 2  through an articulation braking assembly of the reload assembly; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedures conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel. Moreover, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure. 
     The disclosed surgical stapling device includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and a tool assembly that articulates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The surgical stapling device includes an articulation member that is supported in the body portion and is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. The body portion supports a braking assembly that moves into engagement with the articulation member to stabilize the articulation member when the surgical stapling device is fired. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device  10  that includes a handle assembly  12 , an elongate body or adapter assembly  14 , and a tool assembly  16 . As illustrated, the handle assembly  12  is powered and includes a stationary handgrip  18  and actuation buttons  20 . The actuation buttons  20  are operable to actuate various functions of the tool assembly  16  via the adapter assembly  14  including approximation, stapling, and cutting. In certain 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, it is envisioned that the disclosed tool assembly  16  is suitable for use with manually powered surgical stapling devices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices. 
     The adapter assembly  14  defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion  14   a  that is coupled to the handle assembly  12  and a distal portion  14   b  that supports the tool assembly  16 . In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly  16  forms part of a reload assembly  22  that is removably supported on the distal portion  14   b  of the adapter assembly  14  and can be replaced after the stapling device  10  is fired to facilitate reuse of the stapling device  10 . The reload assembly  22  includes the tool assembly  16  and a proximal body portion  24  that is coaxial with the adapter assembly  14  and is releasably coupled to the distal portion  14   b  of the adapter assembly  14 . It is envisioned that the tool assembly  16  can be coupled directly to the distal portion  14   b  of the adapter assembly  14 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the reload assembly  22  of the surgical stapling device including the proximal body portion  24 , the tool assembly  16 , and a mounting assembly  28  ( FIG. 3 ). The tool assembly  16  of the stapling device  10  includes a cartridge assembly  30  and an anvil  32 . The cartridge assembly  30  includes a channel member  34  that defines a cavity  34   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and a staple cartridge  36  that is received within the cavity  34   a . The staple cartridge  36  includes a cartridge body  38  that defines a central knife slot  40  and a plurality of staple receiving slots  42  that are positioned on each side of the central knife slot  40 . Although not shown, the cartridge body  38  supports staples, pushers, and an actuation sled. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (“the &#39;139 Patent”) describes the construction and operation of a staple cartridge in further detail. 
     The mounting assembly  28  ( FIG. 3 ) includes an upper mounting portion  28   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and a lower mounting portion  28   b . The upper mounting portion  28   a  includes an upwardly extending pivot member  44  ( FIG. 2 ) that is received in an opening  46   a  defined in a proximally extending bracket  46  ( FIG. 2 ) that is secured to a proximal portion of the anvil  32 . The lower mounting portion  28   b  is secured to the anvil  32  and to the channel member  34  of the cartridge assembly  30  by pivot members  48   a  and  48   b  ( FIG. 2 ) such that the channel member  34  is pivotable in relation to the anvil  32  between open and clamped positions. Although as illustrated, the cartridge assembly  30  pivots towards and away from the anvil  32 , it is envisioned that the tool assembly  16  could be constructed such that the anvil  32  pivots towards and away from the cartridge assembly  30 . For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of the mounting assembly  28  and tool assembly  16 , see the &#39;139 Patent. 
     The proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  includes an upper body portion  50  and a lower body portion  52  that are coupled together and received within an outer tube  54 . The upper body portion  50  includes a proximal portion  50   a  that is adapted to be releasably coupled to the adapter assembly  14 . The upper and lower body portions  50  and  52 , respectively, define cutouts  56  ( FIG. 2 ) (only one is shown) that receive coupling members  58  and pivotably couple the tool assembly  16  and the mounting assembly  28  to the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22 . The tool assembly  16  defines a longitudinal axis “Y” ( FIG. 1 ) and is pivotable from a position in which the longitudinal axis “Y” of the tool assembly  16  is aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the proximal body portion  24  to positions in which the longitudinal axis “Y” of the tool assembly  16  is misaligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the proximal body portion  24 . For a more detailed description of the coupling members  58 , see the &#39;139 Patent. The upper and lower body portions  50  and  52  define channels for receiving a drive assembly  60  and articulation member  62  of the reload assembly  22 . 
     The drive assembly  60  ( FIG. 2 ) includes a flexible drive beam  64  and a working end  66 . In aspects of the disclosure, the working end  66  of the drive assembly  60  includes a first beam  68 , a second beam  70 , and a central strut  72 . In aspects of the disclosure, the central strut  72  supports or includes a knife blade  74 . The flexible drive beam  64  includes an upper edge  64   a  that defines a concavity  76  ( FIG. 4 ) that has a tapered proximal wall  76   a . The drive assembly  60  is movable within the proximal body portion  24  to move the working end  66  of the drive assembly  60  in relation to the cartridge assembly  30  and the anvil  32  between retracted and advanced positions to move the tool assembly  16  between the open and clamped positions. Movement of the working end  66  of the drive assembly  60  between its retracted and advanced positions ejects staples (not shown) from the cartridge body  36  into the anvil  32 . The &#39;139 Patent describes operation of the drive assembly  60  in further detail. 
     The articulation member  62  is supported between the upper and lower body portions  50  and  52  and is movable between retracted and advanced positions to pivot the tool assembly  16  between the non-articulated and articulated positions. The articulation member  62  includes a proximal portion  62   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and a distal portion  62   b . The proximal portion  62   a  of the articulation member  62  is configured to engage an articulation mechanism (not shown) supported within the adapter assembly  14  when the reload assembly  22  is coupled to the adapter assembly  14 . The articulation mechanism (not shown) is actuatable via operation of the handle assembly  12  to move the articulation member  62  between its retracted and advanced positions. 
     The distal portion  62   b  of the articulation member  62  is coupled to the lower mounting portion  28   b  of the mounting assembly  28  such that longitudinal movement of the articulation member  62  between its retracted and advanced positions pivots the tool assembly  16  about a pivot axis “Z” ( FIG. 3 ) defined by the pivot member  44  in relation to the proximal body portion  24  between the non-articulated position and articulated positions. In aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion  62   b  of the articulation member  62   b  includes a loop  78  that receives a projection  80  formed on the lower mounting portion  28   b  of the mounting assembly  28 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a braking assembly  90  of the reload assembly  22  which includes a body  92  having a base member  94  and a support member  96 . In aspects of the disclosure, the base member  94  is substantially rectangular and supports a brake pad  98  ( FIG. 4 ). It is envisioned that the base member  94  can have a variety of configurations including circular, square, elliptical, etc. The lower body portion  52  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  includes a support surface  100  and defines a pocket  101  that has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  and is positioned along the support surface  100 . The support surface  100  of the lower body portion  52  supports the articulation member  62  which is slidable between its retracted and advanced positions along the support surface  100 . The brake pad  98  is supported on the base member  94  of the lower braking assembly  90  such that the brake pad  98  faces and is positioned on one side of the articulation member  62 . 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  is substantially U-shaped and extends upwardly from the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  along one side of the flexible drive beam  64  of the drive assembly  60  over the upper edge  64   a  of the flexible drive beam  64  and downwardly along the other side of the flexible drive beam  64 . When the drive assembly  60  is in its retracted position ( FIG. 5 ), the support member  96  is received within the concavity  76  formed along the upper edge of the flexible drive beam  64  of the drive assembly  60 . It is envisioned that the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  can communicate with the flexible drive beam  64  in a variety of different ways to achieve the purpose described below including via projections, cam members, or the like. 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  is movable within the pocket  101  of the lower body portion  52  of the proximal body portion  22  of the reload assembly  22  towards the articulation member  62  in response to longitudinal movement of the drive assembly  60  from its retracted position towards its advanced position between a spaced or lower position ( FIG. 7 ) and an engaged or raised position ( FIG. 10 ). More specifically, when the drive assembly  60  moves from its retracted position ( FIG. 8 ) towards its advanced position, the support member  96  moves upwardly along the tapered proximal wall  76   a  defining the concavity  76  of the flexible drive beam  64  of the drive assembly  60  to move the brake pad  98  into engagement with the articulation member  62 . In some aspects of the disclosure, the braking assembly  90  includes a biasing member  103  ( FIG. 4 ) that urges the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  in a direction to urge the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  towards its spaced or lower position within the pocket  101 . In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member  103  includes a leaf spring although other biasing members are envisioned. In some aspects of the disclosure, the leaf spring can be welded to the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the upper body portion  50  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  which defines a pocket  102  that receives a second brake pad  104 . The pocket  102  is formed in a support surface  106  that is positioned in juxtaposed alignment with the support surface  100  of the lower body portion  52  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  when the upper and lower body portions  50  and  52  are secured together such that the articulation member  62  is positioned between the brake pads  98  and  104  of the upper and lower body portions  50  and  52  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22 . 
     In aspects of the disclosure, the brake pads  98  and  104  can be in a variety of forms. For example, the brake pads  98  and  104  can be serrated or knurled surfaces that are formed integrally with the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  and on the support surface  106  of the upper body portion  50  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22 . It is also envisioned that the brake pads  98  and  104  can be in the form of high friction elements that are secured to the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  and/or onto the support surface  106  of the upper body portion  50  using adhesives, press-fitting or the like. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  with the drive assembly  60  in its retracted position. In this position, the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  is positioned within the concavity  76  formed in the flexible drive beam  64  of the drive assembly  60  and the braking assembly  90  is in its lowered position with the brake pad  98  spaced from the articulation member  62  ( FIG. 7 ). The biasing member  103  is engaged with the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  to urge braking assembly  90  downwardly into the concavity  76 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a cross-sectional view of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  as the drive assembly  60  is advanced from its retracted position in the direction of arrows “A” in  FIG. 9 . As the drive assembly  60  moves in the direction of arrows “A”, the support member  96  of the braking assembly  90  rides up the tapered proximal wall  76   a  that defines the concavity  76  in the flexible drive beam  64  in the direction of arrows “B” in  FIG. 9  and moves to the raised position. As the braking assembly  90  moves to the raised position, the brake pad  98  on the braking assembly  90  moves in the direction of arrow “C” in  FIG. 10  into tight engagement with one side of the articulation member  62 . When the brake pad  98  presses against the articulation member  62 , the articulation member  62  moves into tight engagement with the second brake pad  104  that is supported on the upper body portion  50  of the proximal body portion  24  of the reload assembly  22  such that the articulation member  62  is clamped between the brake pads  98  and  104 . The disclosed braking assembly  90  is engaged with the articulation member  62  when the stapling device  10  is fired to prevent longitudinal movement of the articulation member  62  during firing of the stapling device  10  to minimize tremors that may occur in the tool assembly  16  during firing of the stapling device  10 . 
     It is envisioned that the braking assembly  90  need not include two brake pads. For example, the brake pad  104  can be removed from the upper body portion  50  and the articulation member  62  could be compressed against the support surface  106  of the upper body portion. In addition, the brake pad  98  could be removed from the base member  94  of the braking assembly  90  and the base member could be provided to compress the articulation member  62  into the brake pad  104 . It is also envisioned that the disclosed barking assembly could be incorporated into a variety of different types of surgical devices having articulating tool assemblies including clip appliers, suturing devices, tack appliers, and the like. 
     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 aspects of the disclosure may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As well, 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.