Patent Description:
Surgical stapling devices for suturing tissue during surgical procedures are well known. Such devices are capable of suturing tissue faster than tissue can be sutured using traditional suturing techniques. As such, surgical stapling devices reduce time required to perform a surgical procedure and minimize trauma to a patient.

Typically, linear stapling devices include a tool assembly having a first jaw that is pivotally coupled to a second jaw such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions. Known linear stapling devices use an I-beam including first and second beams to move the tool assembly between the open and clamped positions. In such devices, one of the jaws includes an angled cam surface, e.g., a "z-bend", and the I-beam is positioned within the tool assembly at a location proximally of the z-bend. When the I-beam is advanced along the jaws of the tool assembly, one of the first or second beams of the I-beam engages the z-bend to urge the tool assembly from the open position to the clamped position.

In such linear stapling devices, the tool assembly must have an area positioned proximally of the z-bend to house the I-beam prior to actuation of the tool assembly. This housing area forms dead space within the tool assembly and increases the overall length of the stapling device.

<CIT> describes a surgical stapling device with separate rotary driven closure and firing systems and firing member that engages both jaws while firing.

This disclosure generally relates to a tool assembly for a surgical stapling device that includes a clamp assembly having an I-beam configuration including first and second beams that are interconnected by a central body portion. The tool assembly includes a first and second jaws that are pivotably coupled to each other and movable between open and clamped positions. The first beam of the clamp assembly is pivotably coupled to the vertical strut and is movable from a first position in which longitudinal axes of the first and second beams of the clamp assembly define an acute angle with each other and a second position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other. The central body portion includes a vertical strut and a base portion, wherein the vertical strut includes a hook that defines a circular recess and the first beam supports a pivot member, the pivot member received within the circular recess to pivotably couple the first beam to the central body portion. The provision of a pivotable beam on the clamp assembly allows the first beam to be engaged with the first jaw when the tool assembly is in an open position to minimize dead space within the tool assembly and maximize the useful length of the tool assembly.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides a clamp assembly for use with a tool assembly for stapling tissue. The clamp assembly includes a central body portion, a first beam, and a second beam. The central body portion has first and second ends. The first beam defines a first axis and is pivotably coupled to the first end of the central body portion. The first beam extends transversely outwardly of the central body portion. The second beam defines a second axis and is fixedly secured to the second end of the central body portion. The second beam extends transversely outwardly of the central body portion. The first beam is pivotable from a first position in which the first and second axes define an acute angle and a second position in which the first and second axes are parallel. The central body portion includes a vertical strut and a base portion, wherein the vertical strut includes a hook that defines a circular recess and the first beam supports a pivot member, the pivot member received within the circular recess to pivotably couple the first beam to the central body portion.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly, and a clamp assembly. The anvil has a tissue engaging surface and defines a first enclosed channel that extends longitudinally through the anvil. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge. The channel member defines a recess and a second channel that extends longitudinally along the channel member. The staple cartridge includes a tissue engaging surface and is received within the recess of the channel member. The clamp assembly includes a central body portion, a first beam, and a second beam. The central body portion has first and second ends. The first beam defines a first axis and is pivotably coupled to the first end of the central body portion. The first beam extends transversely outwardly of the central body portion and is received within one of the first or second channels. The second beam defines a second axis and is fixedly secured to the second end of the central body portion. The second beam extends transversely outwardly of the central body portion and is received in the other of the first or second channels. The first beam is pivotable from a first position in which the first and second axes define an acute angle and a second position in which the first and second axes are parallel. The central body portion includes a vertical strut and a base portion, wherein the vertical strut includes a hook that defines a circular recess and the first beam supports a pivot member, the pivot member received within the circular recess to pivotably couple the first beam to the central body portion.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the base portion defines a threaded through bore.

In aspects of the disclosure, the first beam includes transverse extensions that extend transversely of the central body portion.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the first beam includes a distal portion that includes a cam member.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the cam member has a distally facing tapered surface.

In aspects of the disclosure, the vertical strut includes an upper portion and the first beam defines a longitudinal bore.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the upper portion of the vertical strut is received within the longitudinal bore when the first beam is in the second position to retain the first beam in the second position.

The disclosed tool assembly for a 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 aspects of the disclosure described herein 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 to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term "clinician" is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel. Finally, as used herein, the terms "parallel" and "perpendicular" are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or - <NUM> degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular.

The disclosed tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a first jaw that supports an anvil and a second jaw that supports a cartridge assembly. The tool assembly includes a clamping member that has a first beam that is engaged with the first jaw and a second beam that is engaged with the second jaw. The clamping member is movable through the tool assembly to pivot the tool assembly between open and clamped positions. In aspects of the disclosure, one of the beams is pivotably coupled to a body portion of the clamping member such that the first and second beams can engage with the first and second jaws in the open and clamped positions of the tool assembly. By providing a pivotable beam on the clamping member, dead space within the tool assembly can be minimized to maximize the useful length of the tool assembly, i.e., the length of the tool assembly that is used for stapling tissue.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a tool assembly shown generally as tool assembly <NUM> including exemplary aspects of the disclosure. The tool assembly <NUM> includes an anvil <NUM>, a cartridge assembly <NUM>, and a clamp assembly <NUM> (<FIG>). The cartridge assembly <NUM> includes a channel <NUM> and a staple cartridge <NUM>. The channel member <NUM> defines a recess <NUM> that receives the staple cartridge <NUM>. It is envisioned that the staple cartridge <NUM> can be fixedly or releasably supported within the recess <NUM> of the channel member <NUM>. The staple cartridge <NUM> includes a body <NUM> that has a tissue engaging surface 24a and defines a knife slot <NUM> (<FIG>) and an array of staple pockets <NUM> that are positioned on each side of the knife slot <NUM>. Although not shown in detail, each of the staple pockets <NUM> receives a staple and a pusher. As is known in the art, an actuation sled (not shown) is movable through the staple cartridge <NUM> into engagement with the pushers to eject the staples from the staple cartridge <NUM>.

The anvil <NUM> includes a tissue engaging surface 12a (<FIG>) and is coupled to the channel member <NUM> by a pivot member <NUM> to facilitate movement of the anvil <NUM> in relation to the cartridge assembly <NUM> between an open position shown in <FIG> and a clamped position shown in <FIG>. In the clamped position, the tissue engaging surface 12a of the anvil <NUM> is in juxtaposed alignment with the tissue engaging surface 24a of the body <NUM> of the staple cartridge <NUM>.

In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly <NUM> includes a mounting hub <NUM> that is adapted to be coupled to a surgical stapling device (not shown) to secure the tool assembly <NUM> to an actuator assembly (not shown) of the surgical stapling device. as illustrated, the anvil <NUM> pivots in relation to the surgical stapling device and the cartridge assembly <NUM>. It is envisioned that the channel member <NUM> of the cartridge assembly <NUM> can be coupled to the anvil <NUM> about a pivot member and that the anvil <NUM> can be secured to the surgical stapling device in a non-pivotable or fixed manner such that the cartridge assembly <NUM> can pivot in relation to the anvil <NUM> and the surgical stapling device (not shown) between the open and clamped positions.

<FIG> illustrate the clamp assembly <NUM> of the tool assembly <NUM>. The clamp assembly <NUM> includes a central body portion <NUM>, a first beam <NUM> coupled to one end of the central body portion <NUM>, and a second beam <NUM> coupled to the other end of the central body portion <NUM>. The first and second beams <NUM>, <NUM> extend transversely from the central body portion <NUM>. The central body portion <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> (<FIG>) that defines a threaded through bore <NUM> and a vertical strut <NUM>. The vertical strut <NUM> includes a first end portion that is integrally formed with or coupled to the base portion <NUM> and a second end portion that includes a hook portion <NUM> that defines a circular recess <NUM>. The second beam <NUM> may be formed integrally with the base portion <NUM>. Alternately, the second beam <NUM> can be formed separately from the base portion <NUM> and fixedly secured to the base portion <NUM> using any known fastening technique including, e.g., welding.

The first beam <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and transverse extensions <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> includes a proximal portion <NUM> that defines a bore <NUM> and a distal portion that includes a cam member <NUM>. The cam member <NUM> has a distally facing surface 70a that is tapered downwardly and proximally from the distal end of the first beam <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> supports a pivot member <NUM> (<FIG>) that is positioned within the bore <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> of the central body portion <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> is received within the opening <NUM> in the first beam <NUM> such that the hook portion <NUM> extends about the pivot member <NUM> and downwardly through the opening <NUM>. In this position, the pivot member <NUM> is received within the circular recess <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM>. Receipt of the pivot member <NUM> within the circular recess <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> pivotably couples the first beam <NUM> to the central body portion <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> such that the first beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> can rotate about the pivot member <NUM> from a first position (<FIG>) to a second position (<FIG>). In the first and second positions, a longitudinal axis "T" (<FIG>) of the first beam <NUM> is parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of the anvil <NUM>. In the first position, the longitudinal axis "T" defined by the first beam <NUM> and a longitudinal axis "X" of the anvil <NUM> defines an acute angle "Z" (<FIG>) with a longitudinal axis "Y" of the tool assembly <NUM>. In the second position, the longitudinal axis "T" of the first beam <NUM>, the longitudinal axis "X" of the anvil <NUM>, and the longitudinal axis "Y" of the tool assembly <NUM> are all substantially parallel.

The body portion <NUM> of the first beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> includes a longitudinal bore <NUM> (<FIG>) that may communicate with the opening <NUM> in the first beam <NUM>. The longitudinal bore receives an upper portion <NUM> of the vertical strut <NUM> when the first beam <NUM> is moved to its second position to retain the first beam <NUM> in the second position (<FIG>). More specifically, the upper portion <NUM> of the vertical strut <NUM> is received within the longitudinal bore <NUM> of the first beam <NUM> in a friction-fit manner to retain the first beam in its second position.

The anvil <NUM> defines an enclosed channel <NUM> (<FIG>) that receives the transverse extensions <NUM> of the first beam <NUM>. Similarly, the channel member <NUM> defines a channel or recess <NUM> that receives the second beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM>. When the clamp assembly <NUM> is moved from a retracted position (<FIG>) to an advanced position (<FIG>), the first beam <NUM> and the second beam <NUM> move along the channel <NUM> and the channel <NUM> of the anvil <NUM> and cartridge assembly <NUM>, respectively, to move the tool assembly <NUM> from its open position to its clamped position. It is envisioned that the channel member <NUM> need not define a channel or recess and that the second beam <NUM> can move along an outer surface of the channel member <NUM>.

In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly <NUM> includes a drive screw <NUM> that is received within the threaded through bore <NUM> defined by the base portion <NUM> (<FIG>) of the central body portion <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM>. When the drive screw <NUM> is rotated via actuation of the surgical stapling device (not shown), the clamp assembly <NUM> translates longitudinally within the tool assembly <NUM> between its retracted and advanced positions to actuate the tool assembly <NUM>, i.e., fire staples from the staple cartridge <NUM> and cut tissue clamped between the staple cartridge <NUM> and the anvil <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the tool assembly <NUM> with the clamp assembly <NUM> in the retracted position and the tool assembly <NUM> in the open position. In this position, the distal portion of the first beam <NUM> including the cam member <NUM> is aligned with the channel <NUM> (<FIG>) of the anvil <NUM>. In the open position, the angle "Z" defined by the longitudinal axes "T" and "X" of the first beam and the anvil <NUM>, respectively, and the longitudinal axis "Y" of the tool assembly <NUM> is an acute angle. In some aspects of the disclosure, in the open position the angle "Z" is from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. In certain aspects of the disclosure, in the open position the angle Z is about <NUM> degrees. Other angular positions are envisioned.

<FIG> illustrate the tool assembly <NUM> as the clamp assembly <NUM> begins to advance in the direction indicated by arrow "A" in <FIG> from its retracted position towards its advanced position. As the first beam <NUM> moves within the channel <NUM> defined by the anvil <NUM>, the first beam <NUM> and the anvil <NUM> pivot in the direction of arrow "B" in <FIG> towards the clamped position. When the distal end of the upper portion <NUM> of the vertical strut <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> is received within the longitudinal bore <NUM> of the first beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM>, engagement between the upper portion <NUM> of the vertical strut <NUM> obstructs free pivotal movement of the first beam <NUM>. When the first beam <NUM> is fully received within the channel <NUM> of the anvil <NUM>, the angle "Z" defined between the longitudinal axis "T" and "X" of the first beam <NUM> and the anvil <NUM>, respectively, and the longitudinal axis "Y" of the tool assembly <NUM> is from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees and can be about <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> illustrate the tool assembly <NUM> in the fully clamped position as staples (not shown) are fired from the tool assembly <NUM>. In this position, the clamp assembly <NUM> is approaching its advanced position and the angle "Z" defined between the longitudinal axis "T" and "X" of the first beam <NUM> and the anvil <NUM>, respectively, and the longitudinal axis "Y" of the tool assembly <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees, i.e., the longitudinal axis "T" and "X" of the first beam <NUM> and the anvil <NUM>, respectively, and the longitudinal axis "Y' of the anvil <NUM> are substantially parallel. As shown, the upper portion <NUM> of the vertical strut <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> is fully received within the longitudinal bore <NUM> of the first beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> to retain the first beam <NUM> in the second position parallel to the tool assembly <NUM>.

As described above, the disclosed clamp assembly <NUM> allows first beam <NUM> of the clamp assembly <NUM> to be engaged with a pivotable jaw, e.g., anvil <NUM>, of the tool assembly <NUM> when the pivotable jaw is in an open position. This allows the clamp assembly <NUM> to positioned between the jaws, e.g., anvil and cartridge assembly, in the open position of the tool assembly to minimize dead space within the tool assembly <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A clamp assembly (<NUM>) for use with a tool assembly for stapling tissue, the clamp assembly comprising:
a central body portion (<NUM>) having first and second ends;
a first beam (<NUM>) defining a first axis and being pivotably coupled to the first end of the central body portion, the first beam extending transversely outwardly of the first end of the central body portion; and
a second beam (<NUM>) defining a second axis and being fixedly secured to the second end of the central body portion, the second beam extending transversely outwardly of the second end of the central body portion, wherein the first beam is pivotable from a first position in which the first and second axes define an acute angle and a second position in which the first and second axes are parallel, wherein the central body portion includes a vertical strut (<NUM>) and a base portion (<NUM>); and
characterised in that
the vertical strut includes a hook (<NUM>) that defines a circular recess (<NUM>) and the first beam supports a pivot member (<NUM>), the pivot member received within the circular recess to pivotably couple the first beam to the central body portion.