Patent Description:
A surgical handle assembly can be used in a number of surgical devices. One example includes use as a surgical stapler. A surgical stapler is a fastening device used to clamp tissue between opposing jaw structures to join tissue using surgical fasteners. Surgical staplers can include two elongated members used to clamp the tissue. One of the elongated members can include one or more reloadable cartridges and the other elongated member can include an anvil that can be used to form a staple when driven from the reloadable cartridge. A surgical stapler can receive one or more reloadable cartridges. An example of reloadable cartridges can include having rows of staples having a linear length. A row of staples can have a linear length between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example. A staple can be ejected by actuation of a movable handle member that is a part of the surgical handle assembly of the surgical stapler.

<CIT> discloses a surgical stapler including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly defines staple forming depressions. One or both of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are pivotable relative to the other between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes a first plurality of staples and a second plurality of staples. The first plurality of staples is initially positioned in alignment with the staple forming depressions of the anvil assembly for ejection from the cartridge assembly. The second plurality of staples is movably supported in the cartridge assembly from a first position misaligned with the staple forming depressions of the anvil assembly to a second position aligned with the staple forming depressions for subsequent ejection from the cartridge assembly.

<CIT> discloses a surgical device which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device.

The invention is defined by appended claim <NUM>. The present disclosure includes apparatuses for a surgical handle assembly. An example apparatus includes a toothed rack, a movable handle member, a driving pawl configured to engage the toothed rack and advance the toothed rack in a linear distal direction in response to a movable handle member advancing in a proximal direction and a latch configured to engage the toothed rack and advance the toothed rack in a linear proximal direction in response to the movable handle member advancing in a distal direction.

Use of the surgical handle assembly with a surgical stapler coupled to a reloadable cartridge can advance the reloadable cartridge to a clamped position in response to the driving pawl advancing the toothed rack in the linear distal direction and the reloadable cartridge can advance to an unclamped position in response to the latch advancing the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction.

For example, a user can move the movable handle member from a most distal position to a most proximal position. This movement can cause the driving pawl to engage the toothed rack, drive it distally to cause the elongated members of the reloadable cartridge assembly to clamp and can cause the latch to enter a slot in the toothed rack. While the toothed rack is moving distally, a safety latch can move downward and upward in response to the movement of the toothed rack and the latch can move into engagement with the toothed rack such that the toothed rack cannot be moved distally either with the movable handle member or manually by the user using retract grips. At this stage, the user can either push a button such that staples can be delivered or release the movable handle member to cause the elongated members of the reloadable cartridge assembly to unclamp.

If the user does not push the button, but instead releases the movable handle member, the movable handle member can move in a distal direction and stop at a position between the most distal position and the most proximal position. In response to the movable handle member moving in the distal direction, the latch can engage the toothed rack and can drive the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction causing the elongated members of the reloadable cartridge assembly to unclamp.

In some examples, the user can move the movable handle member from the position between the most distal position and the most proximal position to the most proximal position. The elongated members of the reloadable cartridge assembly can clamp in response to the user moving the movable handle member from the position between the most distal position and the most proximal position to the most proximal position. Alternatively, the user can move the movable handle member from the position between the most distal position and the most proximal position to the distal most position and then, upon moving the movable handle member in the proximal direction, clamp the elongated members of the reloadable cartridge assembly.

In a number of embodiments, the surgical handle assembly with the surgical stapler coupled to the reloadable cartridge can deploy a number of staples. The reloadable cartridge can deploy the number of staples in response to a user pressing the button and moving the movable handle member in the proximal direction. In some examples, the movable handle member can be in the most proximal position or a position between the most proximal position and the most distal position when the button is pressed by the user.

The button can include a first slanted surface. When the button is pressed and the button is in a pressed position, the first slanted surface of the button can cause a safety latch to move in a downward direction. Once the safety latch is in a lowered position, the safety latch can no longer engage the toothed rack to prevent the toothed rack from moving further in the linear distal direction such that the staples can be delivered.

The button can also include a second slanted surface. When the button is pressed and the button is in the pressed position the second slanted surface of the button can contact a disengagement mechanism and cause the disengagement mechanism to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism moves downward, it can contact the driving pawl and move the driving pawl and latch in a downward direction to prevent the driving pawl and the latch from engaging the toothed rack.

In a number of embodiments, the movable handle member can be coupled to a spring. The spring can bias the movable handle member to the most proximal position. In response to the disengagement mechanism preventing the latch from engaging the toothed rack, the spring can bias the movable handle member to the most distal position without advancing the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction. Without advancing the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction, the reloadable cartridge can stay in the clamped position.

A user can advance the movable handle member from the most distal position to the most proximal position. The driving pawl can reengage with the toothed rack and advance the toothed rack in a linear distal direction in response to the movable handle member advancing in the proximal direction. The safety latch, in the lowered position, can no longer engage the toothed rack to prevent the toothed rack from moving further in the linear distal direction such that the staples can be delivered.

When the user has finished delivering staples, the user can manually move the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction. In some examples, the user can manually move the toothed rack in the linear proximal direction by engaging retract grips on both sides of the surgical handle assembly and pulling the retract grips in the linear proximal direction to cause the toothed rack, the button, the safety latch, the disengagement mechanism, the driving pawl, and the latch to return to a start position.

In the following detailed description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how one or more embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, designators such as "X", "Y", "N", "M", etc., particularly with respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that a number of the particular feature so designated can be included. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" can include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, "a number of", "at least one", and "one or more" (e.g., a number of pivot points) can refer to one or more pivot points, whereas a "plurality of" is intended to refer to more than one of such things. Furthermore, the words "can" and "may" are used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term "include," and derivations thereof, means "including, but not limited to". The terms "coupled" and "coupling" mean to be directly or indirectly connected physically or for access to and movement of the movable handle member, as appropriate to the context.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond to the figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the figure. As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportion and/or the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> including a surgical handle assembly <NUM> and a reloadable cartridge assembly in an unclamped position in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example, the surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> can include a surgical handle assembly <NUM> and a reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM>.

As shown in the example of <FIG>, the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM>, e.g. a disposable loading unit, can be releasably secured to a distal end of an elongated body of the surgical handle assembly <NUM>. In this example, the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can include a first elongated member <NUM> and a second elongated member <NUM>. The reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can be in a clamped position when the first elongated member <NUM> and the second elongated member <NUM> are clamping tissue and/or contacting each other. The reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can be in an unclamped position when the first elongated member <NUM> and the second elongated member <NUM> are not clamping tissue and/or are not in contact with each other.

In a number of embodiments, one of the elongated members can house one or more staple cartridges. The other elongated member can have an anvil that can be used to form a staple when driven from the staple cartridge. As mentioned, a surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> can receive reloadable cartridge assemblies having rows of staples. In a number of embodiments, third party reloadable cartridge and/or reloadable cartridge assemblies may be used with the surgical handle assembly <NUM> and embodiments of surgical handle assembly <NUM> may be configured to receive the same.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> coupled to the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can advance the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> to the clamped position in response to the user actuating the movable handle member <NUM> of the surgical handle assembly <NUM> in a proximal direction. The user can also advance the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> to the unclamped position in response to the user actuating the movable handle member <NUM> in a distal direction.

In a number of embodiments, the surgical handle assembly <NUM> coupled to the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can deploy a number of staples. The reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can deploy the number of staples in response to the user pressing a button <NUM> and moving the movable handle member <NUM> to the most proximal position. The button <NUM> can be pushed from either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the surgical handle assembly <NUM>. The movable handle member <NUM> can be in the most proximal position when the movable handle member <NUM> cannot move further in the proximal direction.

When the button <NUM> is pressed the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> is no longer prevented from delivering the number of staples. Once the button <NUM> is in the pressed position the number of staples can be ejected in response to the user actuating the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction.

When the button <NUM> is pressed the movable handle member <NUM> is free to move to the most distal position. The movable handle member <NUM> is in the most distal position when the movable handle member <NUM> cannot move further in the distal direction. When the button <NUM> is pressed it also allows the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> to stay in the clamped position even when the movable handle member <NUM> moves to the most distal position.

A user can advance the movable handle member <NUM> from the most distal position to the most proximal position. Since the user has pressed the button <NUM> and the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> is no longer prevented from delivering the number of staples, the number of staples can be delivered in response to the user advancing the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction.

When the user has finished delivering staples, the user can return the surgical handle assembly <NUM> and the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> to a start position. In the start position, the button <NUM> can be in an unpressed position, the movable handle member <NUM> can be in the most distal position, and the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> can be in an unclamped position. The user can return the surgical handle assembly <NUM> and the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> to the start position by engaging retract grips <NUM> on both sides of the surgical handle assembly <NUM> and pulling the retract grips <NUM> in the linear proximal direction. In some examples, the retract grips <NUM> can be used in response to the surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> failing to unclamp.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> is described with the surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> example throughout the present disclosure for ease of understanding and illustration. However, embodiments are not limited to use with a surgical stapling apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a surgical stapling apparatus <NUM> including a surgical handle assembly <NUM> and a reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in a clamped position in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

When the button <NUM> is pressed the reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> is no longer prevented from delivering the number of staples. Once the button <NUM> is pressed the number of staples can be ejected in response to the user actuating the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a surgical handle assembly <NUM> in an unclamped position including a movable handle member <NUM>, a button <NUM>, a toothed rack <NUM>, a driving pawl <NUM>, a latch <NUM>, a disengagement mechanism <NUM>, and a safety latch <NUM> in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in a home unclamped position when the movable handle member <NUM> is not being actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in an unclamped position. The movable handle member <NUM> is not being actuated by the user when the movable handle member <NUM> is in the farthest distal position the movable handle member <NUM> can travel.

The driving pawl <NUM> can be coupled to the movable handle member <NUM>. In some examples, the driving pawl <NUM> can be coupled to the movable handle member <NUM> via a pin, which can allow the driving pawl <NUM> to pivot and engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. The toothed rack <NUM> can be in a home position when the toothed rack <NUM> is in a linear most proximal position. When the toothed rack <NUM> is in the home position, the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> can be coupled to the driving pawl <NUM>. The latch <NUM> can pivot via a pin coupling the latch <NUM> to the driving pawl <NUM>. In some examples, the latch <NUM> can pivot to engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. When the toothed rack <NUM> is in the home position, the latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> and/or the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack via the disengagement mechanism <NUM>. The disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> to disengage the driving pawl <NUM> and/or the latch <NUM> from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>. However, when the toothed rack <NUM> is in the home position, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> may not contact the driving pawl <NUM>.

In some examples, pressing the button <NUM> can disengage the safety latch <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the safety latch <NUM> and cause the safety latch <NUM> to move in a downward direction. In the lowered position, the safety latch <NUM> cannot engage the toothed rack <NUM> to prevent the toothed rack <NUM> from moving further in the linear distal direction such that staples can be delivered.

The safety latch <NUM> can prevent a user from accidentally ejecting staples. For example, the safety latch <NUM> can make a user press the button <NUM> in order to eject staples. In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> is biased upward which can prevent staples from being ejected if a user were to actuate the movable handle member <NUM> to the proximal direction.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a surgical handle assembly <NUM> in a clamped position including a movable handle member <NUM>, a button <NUM>, a toothed rack <NUM>, a driving pawl <NUM>, a latch <NUM>, a disengagement mechanism <NUM>, and a safety latch <NUM> in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in an index clamped position when the movable handle member <NUM> is fully actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in a clamped position. For example, the movable handle member <NUM> can be fully actuated by the user squeezing the movable handle member <NUM> in a proximal direction from the most distal position, shown in <FIG>, until the movable handle member <NUM> cannot travel any further in the proximal direction.

As previously described in <FIG>, the driving pawl <NUM> can be coupled to the movable handle member <NUM> via a pin, which can allow the driving pawl <NUM> to pivot and engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. For example, the driving pawl <NUM> can be configured to engage the toothed rack <NUM> and advance the toothed rack <NUM> in a linear distal direction in response to the movable handle member <NUM> advancing in the proximal direction. In some examples, the surgical handle assembly <NUM> can advance the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) to a clamped position in response to the driving pawl <NUM> advancing the toothed rack <NUM> in the linear distal direction.

The latch <NUM>, as previously described in <FIG>, can pivot from the driving pawl <NUM> to engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. When the toothed rack <NUM> is in the index position, the latch <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM>.

The disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> to disengage the driving pawl <NUM> and/or the latch <NUM> from the toothed rack. In <FIG>, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> is not in contact with the driving pawl <NUM>.

The driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact a surface of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is not in a pressed position.

As previously described in <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> can prevent a user from accidentally ejecting staples. For example, the safety latch <NUM> can make a user press the button <NUM> in order to eject staples. In <FIG>, the movable handle member <NUM> is in a most proximal position, but staples are not ejected because the safety latch <NUM> is in an upward position preventing the toothed rack <NUM> from moving further in the linear distal direction. The toothed rack <NUM> can include an opening, for example a slot. The safety latch <NUM> in the upward position can enter the opening of the toothed rack <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, the safety latch <NUM> engaged in the opening of the toothed rack <NUM> can maintain the surgical handle assembly <NUM> in a clamped position.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in a clamped position between a most distal position and a most proximal position when the movable handle member <NUM> is partially actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in a clamped position. In some examples, the movable handle member <NUM> can remain in the position between the most distal position and the most proximal position without any assistance from the user. This position can be, but is not limited to, halfway between the most distal position and the most proximal position.

As previously described in <FIG>, the driving pawl <NUM> can be coupled to the movable handle member <NUM> via a pin, which can allow the driving pawl <NUM> to pivot and engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. When the toothed rack <NUM> is between the linear most proximal position and the linear most distal position, the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>. For example, the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> to allow the toothed rack <NUM> to move in a linear proximal direction in response to the movable handle member <NUM> moving in a distal direction.

The latch <NUM>, as previously described in <FIG>, can pivot from the driving pawl <NUM> to engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. In the clamped position, where the movable handle member <NUM> is between the most distal position and the most proximal position, the latch <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM>. The latch <NUM> can cause the toothed rack <NUM> to advance in the linear proximal direction in response to the user moving the movable handle member <NUM> in the distal direction. In some examples, the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) can move to an unclamped position in response to the toothed rack <NUM> advancing in the linear proximal direction.

The disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> to disengage the driving pawl <NUM> and/or the latch <NUM> from the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> is not in contact with the driving pawl <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is not in a pressed position.

The safety latch <NUM> can prevent a user from accidentally ejecting staples. For example, the safety latch <NUM> can make the user press the button <NUM> in order to eject staples. In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> is in an upward position that would prevent staples from being ejected if a user were to actuate the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction. The toothed rack <NUM> can include an opening, for example a slot. The safety latch <NUM> in the upward position can enter the opening of the toothed rack <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, the safety latch <NUM> engaged in the opening of the toothed rack <NUM> can maintain the surgical handle assembly <NUM> in a clamped position.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in an unclamped position with the movable handle member <NUM> between a most distal position and a most proximal position when the movable handle member <NUM> is partially actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in an unclamped position. In some examples, the movable handle member <NUM> can remain in the unclamped position between the most distal position and the most proximal position without any assistance from the user. The unclamped position with the movable handle member <NUM> between the most distal position and the most proximal position can be, but is not limited to, halfway between the most distal position and the most proximal position.

As previously described in <FIG>, the driving pawl <NUM> can be coupled to the movable handle member <NUM> via a pin, which can allow the driving pawl <NUM> to pivot and engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. In the unclamped position with the movable handle member <NUM> between the most distal position and the most proximal position, the driving pawl <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM>. For example, the driving pawl <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM> to allow the driving pawl <NUM> to advance the toothed rack <NUM> in a linear distal direction in response to the movable handle member <NUM> moving in the proximal direction towards the index position.

The latch <NUM>, as previously described in <FIG>, can pivot from the driving pawl <NUM> to engage or disengage from the toothed rack <NUM>. The latch <NUM> can be biased by a spring to engage the toothed rack <NUM>. In some examples, the spring can bias the latch <NUM> in a counter clockwise direction. In the clamped position with the movable handle member <NUM> between the most distal position and the most proximal position, the latch <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM>. The latch <NUM> can advance the toothed rack <NUM> in a linear proximal direction in response to the user moving the movable handle member <NUM> in the distal direction to unclamp.

The disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> to disengage the driving pawl <NUM> and/or the latch <NUM> from the toothed rack <NUM>. In some examples, in the unclamped position with the movable handle member <NUM> between the most distal position and the most proximal position, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> does not contact the driving pawl <NUM>.

The driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack in response to the user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed, one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is not in a pressed position.

In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> is in the lowered position. In some examples, the safety latch <NUM> in the lowered position can engage the toothed rack <NUM> to prevent the toothed rack <NUM> from moving further in the linear distal direction from the index position.

In <FIG> the surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be transitioning to a ready to fire position and the movable handle member <NUM> can be in a position between the most distal position and the most proximal position.

When the surgical handle assembly <NUM> is transitioning to a ready to fire position, the latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to the user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is in a pressed position.

In <FIG>, pressing the button <NUM> can also disengage the safety latch <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the safety latch <NUM> and cause the safety latch <NUM> to move in a downward direction. In the lowered position, the safety latch <NUM> cannot engage the toothed rack <NUM> to prevent the toothed rack <NUM> from moving further in the linear distal direction such that staples can be delivered.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in a ready to fire position when the movable handle member <NUM> is not being actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in a clamped position. The movable handle member <NUM> is not being actuated by the user when the movable handle member <NUM> is in the most distal position.

In the ready to fire position, the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>, the latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>, and the disengagement mechanism <NUM> may not contact the driving pawl <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to the user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is in a pressed position.

The safety latch <NUM> can prevent a user from accidentally ejecting staples. For example, the safety latch <NUM> can make the user press the button <NUM> in order to eject staples. In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> is in a downward position that would allow staples to be ejected if a user were to actuate the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be moving from an unclamp position, described in <FIG>, to a start position, <FIG>, when the disengagement mechanism <NUM> is lowered in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>.

When the movable handle member <NUM> is in the position between the most distal position and the most proximal position, the driving pawl <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>, the latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM>, and the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can be in contact with the driving pawl <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> can be disengaged from the toothed rack <NUM> in response to the user pressing the button <NUM>. The button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>). When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and cause the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to move in a downward direction. As the disengagement mechanism <NUM> moves downward, the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can contact the driving pawl <NUM> and move the driving pawl <NUM> and the latch <NUM> in a downward direction to prevent the driving pawl <NUM> and/or the latch <NUM> from engaging the toothed rack <NUM>. In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is in a pressed position.

In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> is biased downwards by the disengagement mechanism <NUM>, such that the one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the button <NUM> will not contact the one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the safety latch <NUM> and the safety latch <NUM> will not move in the downward direction when a user presses the button <NUM>.

The surgical handle assembly <NUM> can be in a firing mode, as shown in <FIG>, able to fire staples when the movable handle member <NUM> is fully and/or partially actuated by the user and the reloadable cartridge assembly (e.g., reloadable cartridge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is in a clamped position.

When the surgical handle assembly <NUM> is firing, the driving pawl <NUM> can engage the toothed rack <NUM>, the latch <NUM> cannot engage the toothed rack <NUM> to advance the toothed rack <NUM> in a linear proximal direction, and the disengagement mechanism <NUM> cannot contact the driving pawl <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the button <NUM> is in an unpressed position. In some examples, pressing the button <NUM> can disengage the safety latch <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed one of the one or more slanted surfaces (e.g., slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the button <NUM> can contact one or more surfaces (e.g., slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) of the safety latch <NUM> and cause the safety latch <NUM> to move in a downward direction. In the lowered position, the safety latch <NUM> cannot engage the toothed rack <NUM> to prevent the toothed rack <NUM> from moving further in the linear distal direction such that staples can be delivered.

The safety latch <NUM> can prevent a user from accidentally ejecting staples. For example, the safety latch <NUM> can make the user press the button <NUM> in order to eject staples. In <FIG>, the safety latch <NUM> cannot engage the toothed rack <NUM> to prevent the toothed rack <NUM> from moving in a linear distal direction and staples can be ejected as the user continues to actuate the movable handle member <NUM> in the proximal direction.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a safety latch <NUM>, a button <NUM>, and a disengagement mechanism <NUM> in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

The safety latch <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, the button <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and the disengagement mechanism <NUM> can include one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

The one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> to activate the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and move the disengagement mechanism <NUM> in a downward direction. For example, the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can be a parallel surface to the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and can contact the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and/or the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can be a parallel surface to the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the disengagement mechanism <NUM> and can contact the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>.

The one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can contact one or more slanted surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the safety latch <NUM> to move the safety latch <NUM> in the downward direction. For example, the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can be a parallel surface to the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the safety latch <NUM> and can contact the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the safety latch <NUM> and/or the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the button <NUM> can be a parallel surface to the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the safety latch <NUM> and can contact the slanted surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the safety latch <NUM> in response to a user pressing the button <NUM>.

In some examples, the safety latch <NUM> can include one or more notches <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. The one or more notches <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can each include one or more slanted surfaces to each create an indentation in the safety latch <NUM>. When the button <NUM> is pressed towards the ready to fire position, as shown in <FIG>, the button <NUM> is latched inside the <NUM>-<NUM> notch or the <NUM>-<NUM> notch of safety latch <NUM>. For example, if the button <NUM> is pressed from a first side of the surgical handle assembly (e.g., surgical handle assembly <NUM> in <FIG>), the button <NUM> will latch with the <NUM>-<NUM> notch and if the button <NUM> is pressed from a second side of the surgical handle assembly, the button <NUM> will latch with the <NUM>-<NUM> notch.

The latching of the button <NUM> with the <NUM>-<NUM> notch or <NUM>-<NUM> notch can create a noise. For example, the noise can be a clicking noise audible to a user. The noise can alert the user that the disengagement mechanism <NUM> has biased the safety latch <NUM> in a downward direction to disengage the safety latch <NUM> from the toothed rack (e.g., toothed rack <NUM> in <FIG>) and the surgical handle assembly (e.g., surgical handle assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is now in a firing mode.

In some examples, the latching of the button <NUM> with the <NUM>-<NUM> notch or the <NUM>-<NUM> notch can create a physical cue. For example, the physical cue can be a click that can be felt by a user. The physical cue can alert the user that the disengagement mechanism <NUM> has biased the safety latch <NUM> in a downward direction to disengage the safety latch <NUM> from the toothed rack (e.g., toothed rack <NUM> in <FIG>) and the surgical handle assembly (e.g., surgical handle assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) is now in a firing mode.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an arrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The scope of the one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications in which the above structures and processes are used. Therefore, the scope of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A surgical handle assembly apparatus, comprising:
a toothed rack (<NUM>);
a moveable handle member (<NUM>);
a driving pawl (<NUM>), coupled to the moveable handle member (<NUM>) via a pin allowing the driving pawl (<NUM>) to pivot and engage or disengage from the toothed rack (<NUM>), wherein the driving pawl (<NUM>), when engaged with the toothed rack (<NUM>), is configured to advance the toothed rack in a linear distal direction in response to the moveable handle member advancing in a proximal direction;
a latch (<NUM>), coupled to the driving pawl (<NUM>) via a pin about which the latch (<NUM>) may pivot to engage or disengage from the toothed rack (<NUM>), wherein the latch (<NUM>), when engaged with the toothed rack (<NUM>), is configured to advance the toothed rack in a linear proximal direction in response to the moveable handle member advancing in a distal direction;
a disengagement mechanism (<NUM>) configured to contact the driving pawl (<NUM>) to disengage the driving pawl and the latch from the toothed rack; and
a button (<NUM>) to activate the disengagement mechanism.