NOMAUACAAAA
`
`US 20050279804A1
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0279804 Al
`
` Scirica et al. (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 22, 2005
`
`
`(54) SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Paul A. Scirica, Huntington, CT (US);
`Roman Czernik, Trumbull, CT (US)
`
`Tint. C07 eeeeeeccecccceeeecceseeeeeeceeneseeenneeess A61B 17/04
`(SV)
`(52) U.S. C0. ee ececcesetesseeseeseeeneeneees 227/176.1; 227/19
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Mark Farber
`Vice President Intellectual Property
`TYCO Healthcare Group, LP
`150 Glover Ave.
`
`Norwalk, CT 06856 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group, LP
`.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/059,804
`(22)
`Filed:
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/545,620,filed on Feb.
`17, 2004.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use
`with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling
`apparatus. The loading unit
`includes a housing portion
`including a connecting feature, preferably in the form of a
`pair of axially oriented and diametrically opposed slots
`formed therein, and a drive assembly slidably supported
`within the housing portion of the loading unit, the drive
`assembly including a pair of axially spaced apart radially
`inwardly extending fingers, wherein when the distal end of
`a control rod of a surgical stapling apparatus is axially
`advanced in the direction of and engages the resilient
`fingers, the distal end of the control rod biases the resilient
`fingers radially outward intothe slots of the housing portion.
`
`
`
`1
`
`IS 1018
`Intuitive Surgical v. Ethicon
`IPR2019-00880
`
`1
`
`IS 1018
`Intuitive Surgical v. Ethicon
`IPR2019-00880
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 1 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 2 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 3 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 4 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 5 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 6 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 7 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 8 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 9 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22, 2005
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`Sheet 10 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 22,2005 Sheet 13 of 15
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`US 2005/0279804 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and
`priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/545,620,
`filed Feb. 17, 2004,
`the entire content of which being
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Technical Field
`
`[0003] The present disclosure relates to a surgical appa-
`ratus, e.g., a surgical stapling apparatus. Moreparticularly,
`the present disclosure relates to an endoscopic surgical
`stapling apparatus that includes a connecting feature for
`connecting the drive assembly of a loading unit, e.g., a single
`use loading unit
`(“‘SULU”) or disposable loading unit
`(“DLU”) onto the drive memberor control rod of a surgical
`stapling apparatus, to ensure proper or complete engagement
`of the SULU or DLU,especially its drive assembly, to the
`surgical stapling apparatus. For simplicity, hereinafter,
`SULU or DLU will be referred to as “DLU”, but it should
`be understood to include either or both a DLU or SULU.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Background of Related Art
`
`[0005] Surgical devices wherein tissueis first grasped or
`clamped between opposing jaw structure and then joined by
`surgical fasteners are well knownin the art. In someinstru-
`ments a knife is provided to cut the tissue which has been
`joined by the fasteners. The fasteners are typically in the
`form of surgical staples but two part polymeric fasteners can
`also be utilized.
`
`Instruments for this purpose can include twoelon-
`[0006]
`gated jaw members whichare respectively used to capture or
`clamp tissue. Typically, one of the jaw members carries a
`staple cartridge which housesa plurality of staples arranged
`in at least two lateral rows while the other jaw memberhas
`an anvil that defines a surface for forming the staple legs as
`the staples are driven from the staple cartridge. Generally,
`the stapling operation is effected by cam membersthat travel
`longitudinally through the staple cartridge, with the cam
`members acting upon staple pushers to sequentially eject the
`staples from the staple cartridge. A knife can travel between
`the staple rows to longitudinally cut and/or open the stapled
`tissue between the rows of staples. Such instruments are
`disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,606 and U.S.
`Pat. No. 3,490,675.
`
`[0007] A later stapler disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,591
`also applies a double row of staples on each side of the
`incision. This patent discloses a surgical stapler that has a
`disposable loading unit in which a cam member moves
`through an elongate guide path between twosets of stag-
`gered staple carrying grooves. Staple drive members are
`located within the grooves and are positioned in such a
`manner so as to be contacted by the longitudinally moving
`cam memberto effect ejection of the staples from the staple
`cartridge of the disposable loading unit. Other examples of
`such staplers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,429,695 and
`5,065,929.
`
`is
`instruments described above
`the
`[0008] Each of
`designed for use in conventional
`surgical procedures
`
`wherein surgeons have direct manual access to the operative
`site. However, in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures,
`surgery is performed through a small incision or through a
`narrow cannula inserted through small entrance wounds in
`the skin. In order to address the specific needs of endoscopic
`and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures, endoscopic surgi-
`cal stapling devices have been developed and are disclosed
`in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,715 (Green,etal.); U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,307,976 (Olson,et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,023
`(Green,et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,221 (Green,et al.); US.
`Pat. No. 5,326,013 (Green, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,142
`(Robinson,etal.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (Millimanet
`al.), the entire contents of each of which are incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`the assignee of the
`[0009] Tyco Healthcare Group, LP,
`present application, has manufactured and marketed endo-
`scopic stapling instruments, such as the Multifire ENDO
`GIA™ 30 and Multifire ENDO GIA™ 60 instruments, for
`a number of years. These instruments include a surgical
`stapling apparatus and a DLU. Typically,
`the DLU is
`attached to the apparatus immediately prior to surgery. After
`use, the DLU can be removed from the apparatus and a new
`DLUcan be fastened to the apparatus to perform additional
`stapling and/or cutting operations. These instruments have
`providedsignificant clinical benefits. Nonetheless, improve-
`ments to these instruments are still possible.
`
`It would be desirable to provide an improved DLU
`[0010]
`for a surgical stapling apparatus and an improved surgical
`stapling apparatus having the DLU loaded thereon.
`
`It would also be desirable to provide a connecting
`[0011]
`feature for a DLU to assure proper loading of the DLUto the
`shaft of a surgical stapling apparatus.
`
`[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of this disclosure to
`meet the aforementioned desires.
`
`It is another object of this disclosure to provide a
`[0013]
`DLU with a connecting feature that provides a proper
`operative connection between the drive assembly of a DLU
`and the drive memberof a surgical stapling apparatus.
`
`It is another object of this disclosure to provide the
`[0014]
`above-mentioned DLUthat provides such proper connection
`for a DLU that is already mounted to the apparatus without
`such a connection.
`
`It is still another object of this disclosure to provide
`[0015]
`an improved DLUwith a connecting feature that assures that
`if the DLU is not properly initially loaded to the shaft of the
`elongate body of a surgical stapling apparatus, in that the
`drive assembly of the DLUis notinitially properly engaged
`by, coupled to or connected to a drive memberofthe surgical
`stapling apparatus, the locking or connecting feature never-
`theless will assure proper connection of the drive assembly
`to the drive member and proper operation of the DLU and
`the surgical stapling apparatus. As one example, the DLU
`will undertake a proper connection at least during clamping
`of cartridge and anvil assemblies, and/or during firing of
`staples. As another example, after firing, the DLU will allow
`retraction of the drive assembly and openingofthe cartridge
`assembly and/or anvil assembly.
`
`[0016] Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a
`DLUthat, after firmg and retraction, can be disconnected
`from the surgical stapling apparatus.
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 2005/0279804 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`[0017] Still another object of the present disclosure is to
`provide the above objects in a roticulating, 1.e., roticulable,
`DLU.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In accordance with the present disclosure, a surgi-
`[0018]
`cal apparatus, e.g., a surgical stapling apparatus, including
`an arrangement for ensuring proper engagement or connec-
`tion of a disposable loading unit to an end of the surgical
`apparatus is provided. According to one aspectof the present
`disclosure,
`the surgical apparatus includes a housing, a
`control rod extending distally from the housing and having
`an enlarged distal end, and a loading unit supportable on a
`distal end of the elongate body.
`
`[0019] The loading unit preferably includes a housing
`portion that can include an upper housing half portion and a
`lower housing half portion, wherein the housing half por-
`tions, e.g., each of the upper and lower housing half por-
`tions, include(s) an axially oriented aperture or slot formed
`therein or therethrough. The loading unit also preferably
`includes a drive assembly slidably supported within the
`housing portion of the loading unit,
`the drive assembly
`including at least one radially inwardly extending resilient
`finger. The fingers are adapted such that when the preferably
`enlarged distal end of the control rod is axially advanced in
`the direction of and engages the resilient
`fingers,
`the
`enlarged distal end of the control rod biases the fingers
`radially outwardly towards and into the slots formed in the
`upper and lower housing halves. Preferably, the slots are
`radially oriented.
`
`[0020] Preferably, each resilient finger includes a tip.
`Morepreferably, the tips of the fingers are oriented towards
`one another. In operation, the resilient fingers return to an
`unbiased state when the enlarged distal end of the control
`rod has passed the tips of the resilient fingers.
`
`[0021] Desirably, the surgical apparatus is a surgical sta-
`pler.
`
`[0022] The present disclosure also provides for a loading
`unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a
`surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit
`includes a
`housing portion including a connecting feature, preferably in
`the form of a pair of axially oriented and diametrically
`opposed slots formed therein, and a drive assembly slidably
`supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, the
`drive assembly including a pair of axially spaced apart
`radially inwardly extending fingers, wherein whenthe distal
`end of the control rod is axially advancedin the direction of
`and engagesthe resilient fingers, the distal end of the control
`rod biasestheresilient fingers radially outward into the slots
`of the housing portion.
`
`[0023] Additional advantages will become apparent from
`the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0024] The present disclosure will be further described
`with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
`reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views,
`and wherein:
`
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodi-
`[0025]
`ment of the presently disclosed surgical stapling apparatus;
`
`[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of the surgical stapling
`apparatus shown in FIG.1;
`
`[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the surgical stapling
`apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
`
`[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the surgical
`stapling apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 with the DLU disengaged
`from the elongate body of the surgical stapling apparatus;
`
`[0029] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a non-
`articulating DLU;
`
`[0030] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the pre-
`ferred articulating DLU ofthe surgical stapling apparatus of
`FIGS. 1-4;
`
`[0031]
`FIG.6;
`
`FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the DLU of
`
`[0032] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the DLU of
`FIGS. 6 and 7;
`
`[0033] FIG. 9 is an enlarged top perspective view, with
`parts separated, of the proximal housing portion and mount-
`ing assembly of the DLU of FIGS. 6-8;
`
`[0034] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the proximal
`housing portion and mounting assembly of the DLU of
`FIGS. 6-9 with the upper housing half removed;
`
`[0035] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view, with parts
`separated, of the axial drive assembly of the DLU of FIGS.
`6-9;
`
`[0036] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the axial drive
`assembly of FIG. 11 of the DLU of FIGS. 6-9;
`
`[0037] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top perspective view of the
`lower housing half of the proximal housing portion of the
`DLUof FIGS. 6-9;
`
`[0038] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the
`distal end of the elongated body of the stapling apparatus
`shown in FIG. 4;
`
`[0039] FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional
`view of the proximal end of the DLU as would be seen along
`line 15-15 of FIG. 9 with the DLU assembled;
`
`[0040] FIG. 16 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional
`view of the proximal end of the DLU as would be seen along
`line 15-15 of FIG. 9, with the DLU assembled, illustrating
`a stage in the coupling of the DLUto the distal end of the
`drive rod of the elongate body;
`
`[0041] FIG. 17 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional
`view of the proximal end of the DLU as would be seen along
`line 15-15 of FIG. 9, with the DLU assembled, illustrating
`another stage of the connecting of the DLUto the distal end
`of the drive rod of the elongate body;
`
`[0042] FIG. 18 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional
`view of the proximal end of the DLU as would be seen along
`line 15-15 of FIG. 9, with the DLU assembled, illustrating
`yet another stage of the connecting of the DLUto the distal
`end of the drive rod of the elongate body;
`
`[0043] FIG. 19 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional
`view of the proximal end of the DLU as would be seen along
`line 15-15 of FIG. 9, with the DLU assembled, illustrating
`still another stage of the connecting of the DLUtothe distal
`end of the drive rod of the elongate body;
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`US 2005/0279804 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`[0044] FIG. 20 is top perspective view of a DLU accord-
`ing to the present disclosure;
`
`assembly 18, 20, and retracted proximally to unapproximate
`or open cartridge and/or anvil assembly 18, 20.
`
`[0045] FIG. 21 is an enlarged top perspective view of the
`indicated area of detail of FIG. 20; and
`
`[0046] FIG. 22 is an enlarged top perspective view of the
`indicated area of detail of FIG. 20 with the lower housing
`removed.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0047] Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed
`surgical apparatus, DLU and locking or re-engagement
`mechanism 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.
`
`[0053] As seen in FIG. 4, DLU 16 is desirably selectively
`removably couplable to elongated body 14. DLU 16
`includes a housing portion 200 having a proximal end
`adapted to releasably engage the distal end of elongated
`body 14. A mounting assembly 202 is pivotally secured at
`203 to the distal end of housing portion 200, and is config-
`ured to receive the proximal end of tool assembly 17 such
`that pivotal movement of mounting assembly 202 about an
`axis at 203 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of housing
`portion 200 effects articulation of tool assembly 17:
`
`[0054] FIGS. 5-8 show various perspective views of DLU
`16. Surgical stapling apparatus 10 is capable of receiving a
`non-articulating DLU 16a, as seen in FIG.5, or an articu-
`lating DLU 16, as seen in FIGS. 6-8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,
`139 includes a detailed discussion of articulating and non-
`articulating DLU.
`
`In the drawings andin the description that follows,
`[0048]
`the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of
`the stapling apparatus which isclosest to the operator, while
`the term “distal” will refer to the end of the apparatus which
`is furthest from the operator.
`
`[0055] With general reference to FIGS. 9-14, 20 and 21
`and particular reference to FIGS. 9-14, DLU 16 includes a
`mounting assembly 235. Mounting assembly 235 includes
`an upper and a lower mounting portion 236, 238, respec-
`tively. A centrally located pivot member 284 extends from
`[0049] FIGS. 1-4 showasurgical apparatus, e.g., surgical
`each of upper and lower mounting portions 236, 238 through
`stapling apparatus, generally referred to as 10. In the interest
`respective openings 246a formed in coupling members 246.
`of brevity, this disclosure will focus primarily on systems,
`Coupling members 246 each include an interlocking proxi-
`methods and structures for loading, engaging, coupling or
`mal portion 246b configured to be received in grooves 290
`connecting a disposable loading unit (“DLU”) 16 to surgical
`formed in the proximal end of upper and lower housing
`stapling apparatus 10. A detailed discussion of the remaining
`halves 250, 252 to retain mounting assembly 235 and upper
`components and method of use of surgical stapling appara-
`and lower housing halves 250, 252 in a longitudinally fixed
`tus 10 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139.
`position in relation to each other.
`
`[0050] Surgical stapling apparatus 10 is an endoscopic
`apparatus and includes a handle assembly 12 and an elon-
`gated body 14 extending from handle assembly 12. ADLU
`16 is releasably secured to the distal end of elongated body
`14. While this disclosure relates to the use of a DLU with
`
`surgical stapling apparatus 10, it is understood and within
`the scope of the present disclosure that a single use loading
`unit (SULU)or other end effector and/or tool assembly can
`equally be used in cooperation with surgical stapling appa-
`ratus 10.
`
`[0051] DLU 16 includes a tool assembly 17 having a
`cartridge assembly 18 housing a plurality of surgical staples
`(not shown) and an anvil assembly 20 movably secured in
`relation to cartridge assembly 18. As shownherein, DLU 16
`is configured to apply six (6) linear rows of staples,
`in
`DLU’s measuring from about 30 mm to about 60 mm in
`length. DLUs for applying any number of rowsofstaples,
`having staple pockets arranged in various patterns and/or
`DLUsand end effectors having any other lengths, e.g., 45
`mm, are also envisioned. Handle assembly 12 includes a
`stationary handle member 22, a movable handle member 24,
`and a barrel portion 26.
`
`[0052] A rotatable member 28 preferably is mounted on
`the forward end of barrel portion 26 to facilitate rotation of
`elongated body 14 and attached DLU 16 with respect to
`handle assembly 12. An articulation lever 30 preferably is
`also mounted on the forward end of barrel portion 26
`adjacent rotatable member28to facilitate articulation of tool
`assembly 17. Preferably, a pair of knobs 32 are movably
`positioned along barrel portion 26. Knobs 32 are advanced
`distally to approximate or close cartridge and/or anvil
`
`[0056] Upper housing half 250 and lower housing half 252
`are contained within an outer sleeve, shell or casing 251. The
`proximal end of upper housing half 250 includes engage-
`ment nubs 254 for releasably engaging the distal end of body
`14. Nubs 254 form a bayonet-type coupling with the distal
`end of body 14. Housing halves 252 and 254 define a
`channel 400 for slidably receiving axial drive assembly 212
`therein. An articulation link 256 is dimensioned to be
`slidably positioned within a slot 402 formed in upper and
`lower housing halves 250, 252. A pair of blow out plate
`assemblies 255 are positioned adjacent the distal end of
`housing portion 200 adjacent the distal end of axial drive
`assembly 212 to prevent outward buckling and bulging of
`drive assembly 212 during articulation andfiring of surgical
`stapling apparatus 10. For a detailed discussion of the
`structure and operation of blow out plate assemblies 255,
`reference is made to International Application Serial No.
`PCT/US02/32031, filed on Oct. 4, 2002, entitled “Surgical
`Stapling Device”,
`the entire content of which is herein
`incorporated by reference.
`
`[0057] Referring to FIG.9, optionally, a locking member
`288 may be supported on engagementsection 270 of axial
`drive assembly 212. In operation, when axial drive assembly
`212 is actuated, by applying a predetermined force to
`movable handle member24 to advance axial drive assembly
`212 distally, locking member 288 provides an audible and
`tactile indication that surgical stapling apparatus 10 has been
`actuated. For a detailed discussion of the structure and
`
`operation of locking member 288, reference is made to the
`aforementioned International Application Serial No. PCT/
`US02/32031. Locking member 288 may also prevent inad-
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`US 2005/0279804 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`vertent partial actuation of DLU 16, such as during shipping,
`by locking axial drive assembly 212 at a fixed position
`within DLU 16 until a predetermined axial force has been
`applied to axial drive assembly 212.
`
`[0058] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, axial drive assembly
`212 includes an elongated drive beam 266 (FIG.11) includ-
`ing a distal working head 268 (FIG. 12) and a proximal
`engagement section 270. Drive beam 266 may be con-
`structed from a single sheet of material or, preferably,
`multiple stacked sheets, as shown in FIG. 11. Engagement
`section 270 includes a pair of resilient engagement fingers
`270a and 270b which are dimensioned and configured to
`mountingly engage a pair of corresponding retention slots
`272a and 272b formed in drive member 272 (FIG. 12).
`Drive member 272 includes a proximal porthole 274 con-
`figured to receive distal end 276 of a drive member, e.g.,
`drive rod or control rod 52 (FIGS. 14 and 16-18) when the
`proximal end of DLU 16 is being engaged with elongated
`body 14 of surgical stapling apparatus 10. Control rod 52
`functions to impart axial movement of drive assembly 212
`from handle assembly 12.
`
`[0059] With reference to FIGS. 9-12 and 15-21, each
`finger 270a, 270b includes a region of increased height,
`which region preferably is formed of and defines a respec-
`tive tab 273a, 273b. Each tab 273a, 273b preferably lies in
`the same plane as the plane defined by drive beam 266.
`
`[0060] As seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 7-9 and 15-21, upper
`housing half 250 includes a longitudinally or axially ori-
`ented elongate aperture or slot 250a. Preferably, elongate
`slot 250a is axially aligned with engagement nub 254 of
`insertion tip 193. As seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 13 and 15-20, lower
`housing half 252 includes a longitudinally or axially ori-
`ented elongate aperture or slot 252a. Preferably, elongate
`slot 252a is axially aligned with a respective engagement
`nub 254 of insertion tip 193 when lower housing half 252 is
`coupled to upper housing half 250. As will be described in
`greater detail below, elongate apertures or slots 250a, 252a
`are sized to allow the upper portions or tabs 273a, 273b of
`the pair of engagementfingers 270a, 270b of engagement
`section 270 of axial drive assembly 212 to respectively
`deflect thereinto during engagement of DLU 16 to the distal
`end of elongate body 14. While it is preferred that slots
`250a, 250b extend completely through upper and lower
`housing halves 250, 252, it is envisioned that slots 250a,
`250b may be in the form of non-through channels, troughs,
`or grooves formed in the inner surface or through less than
`the entire thickness of upper and lower housing halves 250,
`252. Preferably, the connecting feature of the present inven-
`tion includes elongate apertures or slots 250a, 252a and tabs
`273a, 273b, as well as the operative interengagementof slots
`250a, 252a with respective tabs 273a, 273b.
`
`[0061] With reference to FIGS. 15-19, a method of con-
`necting DLU 16to the distal end of the elongate body 14 is
`discussed. As seen in FIG.15, prior to insertion of insertion
`tip 193 into the open end of the distal end of elongate body
`14 (not here shown), drive assembly 212 preferably is in the
`proximal-most position (e.g., such that the proximal-most
`facing surfaces 277c, 277d of proximal-most fingers 270a,
`270b of drive assembly 212 are in close proximity to distal
`facing surfaces 250b, 252b of the distal ends of upper and
`lower housing halves 250, 252 provided near the distal
`facing surfaces 193a of insertion tip 193). Drive assembly
`
`212 preferably is maintained in the proximal-most position
`by a normalresistive force which maintains anvil assembly
`20 and cartridge assembly 18 unapproximated or open. The
`normalresistive force is created by a cam roller 286 of drive
`assembly 212 (FIG. 11) engaging a cam surface (not shown)
`of anvil assembly 20. For a detailed discussion of the
`operation of cam roller 286, reference is made to Interna-
`tional Application Serial No. PCT/US02/32031, filed on
`Oct. 4, 2002, entitled “Surgical Stapling Device”.
`[0062] As seen in FIG.16, as insertion tip 193 is inserted
`into the distal end of elongate body 14 (not shown), in the
`direction of arrow “A”, distal end 276 of control rod 52 abuts
`against angled surfaces 275a, 275b of fingers 270a, 270b.
`Initially, the closing or approximation of anvil assembly 20
`and cartridge assembly 18 by distal displacement of control
`rod 52 (e.g., by distally advancing knobs 32 and/ora first
`actuation of movable handle 24) will overcome the normal
`resistive force and displace drive assembly 212 in a distal
`direction until tabs 273a, 273b of fingers 270a, 270b are
`below or in registration with and biased into respective
`elongate slots 250a, 252a of upper and lower housing halves
`250 and 252.
`
`[0063] Drive assembly 212 is maintained in axial position
`relative to housing 200 with tabs 273a, 273b in registration
`with slots 250a, 252a due to a significant resistance created
`by the force required to clamp and fire apparatus 10. The
`axial location of elongate slots 2504, 252a and of tabs 273a,
`273b of drive member212 are calculated to axially coincide
`based on the force required to approximate cartridge and
`anvil assembly 18, 20. While tabs 273a, 273b are in radial
`registration with slots 250a, 250b, further distal advance-
`ment of drive assembly 212 is substantially resisted by the
`distal force required to advance drive assembly 212 suffi-
`ciently forward through cartridge assembly 18,
`to clamp
`tissue between the cartridge and the anvil assembly 18, 20,
`and to fire and form the staples. A second actuation of
`movable handle 24 overcomesthat resistance and advances
`drive member 272 to effect clamping and firing. As this
`initially occurs, fingers 270a, 270b are urged radially out-
`ward into slots 250a, 250b by distal end 276 of control rod
`52.
`
`the initial continued displace-
`[0064] More particularly,
`mentof control rod 52 in a direction opposite to arrow “A”,
`relative to drive assembly 212, will result in a camming
`action between angled surfaces 275a, 275b of fingers 270a,
`2706 and distal end 276 of control rod 52 which urges and
`biases fingers 270a, 270b and respective tabs 273a, 273b
`radially outward, in the direction of arrows “B”, and into
`elongate slots 250a, 252a formed in housing 200.
`[0065] Preferably, slots 250a, 252a are diametrically
`opposed to each other and are formed in and through upper
`and lower housing halves 250 and 252, respectively. When
`tabs 273a@ and 2735 are positioned in slots 250a and 252a,
`respectively, the distal edges, here shown as angled transi-
`tion surfaces 2794, 279b of tabs 273a, 273b, are adjacent the
`distal edges of slots 250a, 252a (as seen in FIG. 17) and
`thereby axially secure to temporarily prevent further distal
`movement of drive assembly 212 within housing portion
`200 of DLU 16. While tabs 273a, 273b are forced into slots
`250a, 2506 of upper and lower housing halves 250, 252 (as
`seen in FIG. 17), head 276a or distal end 276 of control rod
`52 is allowed to pass distally beyond respective in-turned
`tips 277a, 277b of fingers 270a, 270b.
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`US 2005/0279804 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`[0066] Distal end 276 of control rod 52 has one or more
`engagementsurfaces, preferably, and here shownas, includ-
`ing surfaces on head 276a (FIG. 14) which correspond to
`angled surfaces 275a, 275b of fingers 270a, 270b and a
`smaller diameter annular recess 276b (FIG. 14) just proxi-
`mal of head 276a andpartially defined by head 276a.
`
`[0067] As shown in FIG. 18, when distal end 276 of
`control rod 52 passes distally beyond in-turned tips 277a,
`277b of fingers 270a, 2706, fingers 270a, 270b return to
`their un-urged or un-biased radially inward condition and
`snap, preferably audibly, over distal end 276, and preferably
`onto control rod 52, at a location within control rod recesses
`276b,
`to properly connect or lock DLU 16 to the drive
`memberor control rod 52 of elongate body 14 of stapling
`apparatus 10.
`
`aforementioned connection of
`[0068] Following the
`engagement section 270 of drive assembly 212 to control
`rod 52, control rod 52 is further advanced distally within
`drive member 272 by the continuation of the second actua-
`tion of movable handle 24, until distal end 276 of control rod
`52 contacts or otherwise operatively engages a proximal-
`facing surface or other internal part, here, a shoulder 272a
`(FIGS. 15-19) formed within drive member 272 (FIG. 18).
`Continued actuation of handle 24 causes the distal edges of
`slots 250a, 252a and the inner surface of upper and lower
`housing halves 250, 252 act against angled transition sur-
`faces 279a, 279b and along the outer edge of tabs 273a,
`273b to drive tabs 2734, 273b beyond slots 250 and within
`housing 200 to maintain fingers 270a, 270b closed onto
`control rod 52. As such, during the second actuation of
`movable handle 24,distal end 276 of control rod 52 engages
`shoulder 272a of drive member 272 to distally advance
`working head 268 of drive assembly 212 into cartridge and
`anvil assemblies 18, 20 to clamp tool member 17 andfire
`stapling apparatus 10.
`
`[0069] Preferably, as best seen in FIGS. 15-18, each finger
`270a, 270b includes an angledtransition surface 279a, 279b,
`respectively, between the main portions of drive members
`212 and tabs 273a, 273b. In this manner, if needed, as drive
`assembly 212 is advanced in the direction of arrow “A” to
`advance tabs 273a, 273b beyondelongate slots 250a, 252a,
`transition surfaces 279a, 279b act as camming surfaces
`against upper and lower housing halves 250, 252 to thereby
`urge fingers 270a, 270b back towards one another.
`
`In the event that drive assembly 212 is located in a
`[0070]
`non-proximal-most position when DLU 16 is movedinto the
`distal end of elongate body 14 for coupling one to the other,
`and/or in the event that drive assembly 212 is not properly
`connected to a drive member,e.g., control rod 52, the distal
`movement of control rod 52 during jaw memberapproxi-
`mation and/or at least during clamping andfiring of staples
`nevertheless will cause distal end 276 of control rod 52 to
`
`contact fingers 270a, 270b of drive assembly 212, as seen in
`FIGS. 16 and 17, and the cammingaction between angled
`surfaces 275a, 275b of fingers 270a, 270b and distal end 276
`of control rod 52 will urge and bias fingers 270a, 270b and
`respective tabs 273a, 273b radially outward