WO2016191907A1

WO2016191907A1 - Circular stapler reload

Info

Publication number: WO2016191907A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/080212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Longsheng CAI; Xiliang Zhang; Hui Zhan; Zhaokai Wang
Original assignee: Covidien Lp; Covidien (China) Medical Devices Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2015-05-29
Publication date: 2016-12-08

Abstract

A circular stapler reload (10) is disclosed that can be releasably coupled to a stapler actuation device (20) to facilitate reuse of the stapler actuation device (20). The circular stapler reload (10) includes a cartridge assembly (22) having an annular staple cartridge (122) supporting staples, a stationary anvil assembly (24), and an integrated approximation and firing assembly (60). The approximation and firing assembly (60) operates to advance the cartridge assembly (22) towards the anvil assembly (24) from a spaced position to a clamped position and includes a lockout (98) to prevent firing of the reload prior to movement of the cartridge assembly (22) to the clamped position. The reload (10) also includes a lockout (170) which prevents movement of a drive member (64) of the approximation and firing assembly (60) until the reload (10) is secured to the actuation device (20).

Description

CIRCULAR STAPLER RELOAD

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical stapling device for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a circular stapler reload that is configured to be releasably coupled to a surgical actuation device to apply fasteners to body tissue and subsequently allow for reuse of the actuation device.

Background of Related Art

Surgical stapling devices for joining tissue sections are commonly used in surgical procedures. The use of surgical stapling devices as compared to traditional stitching techniques reduces the time required to join and/or cut tissue, thus, reducing the time required to perform a surgical procedure. Reducing the time required to perform a surgical procedure minimizes the time a patient must be anesthetized and, thus minimizes trauma to the patient.

Surgical stapling devices are available in a variety of configurations including, e.g., linear surgical stapling devices, transverse surgical stapling devices and circular surgical stapling devices. Typically, linear surgical stapling devices and transverse surgical stapling devices include an actuation device, e.g., a handle assembly or electrically powered actuator replaceable cartridges or loading units that facilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device. Circular stapling devices are often disposable after a single use and, thus increase the cost of a surgical procedure.

It would be advantageous to provide a circular stapler reload configured to be releasably connected to a surgical stapling or actuation device to facilitate reuse of the actuation device.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides in one aspect a circular stapler reload including a housing, an outer tube movable in relation to the housing, and a reload junction fixedly secured to a proximal end of the housing. The reload junction is configured to releasably engage an actuation device. An anvil support assembly has a proximal end secured to the reload junction and a distal end supporting an anvil assembly. A cartridge assembly is supported on the distal end of the outer tube. The outer tube is movably supported in relation to the reload junction between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the cartridge assembly towards the anvil assembly from a spaced position to a clamped position.

In some embodiments, an interface connector is movably supported by the reload junction. The interface connector is operatively associated with the outer tube and configured to releasably engage a control rod of the actuation device.

In certain embodiments, the interface connector is secured to a drive member that is movably supported within the housing by the anvil support assembly.

In embodiments, the circular stapler reload includes a firing tube, a pusher link operatively engaged with the cartridge assembly and a tube connector. The firing tube is coupled to a pusher link, the tube connector is coupled to the outer tube, and the drive member is coupled to the firing tube such that distal movement of the drive member effects distal movement of the firing tube and corresponding distal movement of the pusher link.

In some embodiments, the tube connector is releasably coupled to the firing tube such that distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the reload junction effects distal movement of the tube connector and corresponding distal movement of the outer tube to advance the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly from the spaced position to the clamped position.

In certain embodiments, a firing lockout member is supported on the tube connector and is positioned to prevent distal movement of the firing tube independently of the tube connector until the cartridge assembly is moved to the clamped position.

In embodiments, the firing lockout member is supported for movement between a retracted position in which the firing lockout member obstructs distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the tube connector and an extended position in which the firing lockout member does not obstruct distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the tube connector.

In some embodiments, the housing defines a channel that receives the firing lockout member. The channel has a distal end defining a recess, A wall defining the channel is positioned to retain the firing lockout member in the retracted position until the cartridge assembly is moved to the clamped position. When the cartridge assembly is in the clamped position, the firing lockout member aligns with the recess to allow the firing lockout member to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

In certain embodiments, a biasing member is positioned to urge the firing lockout member towards the extended position.

In embodiments, the cartridge assembly includes a pusher having a plurality of fingers and an annular staple cartridge defining a plurality of staple pockets configured to receive the fingers of the pusher. The pusher is coupled to the pusher link such that distal movement of the pusher link effects distal movement of the pusher to move the fingers within the staple pockets.

In some embodiments, a lock plate is supported on the reload junction and includes a locking tab. The drive member defines a cutout configured to receive the locking tab. The lock plate is movable from a first position in which the locking tab is positioned within the cutout to prevent movement of the drive member to a second position in which the locking tab is moved from within the cutout.

In certain embodiments, a guide plate is supported on the reload junction and is operatively engaged with the lock plate such that movement of the guide plate from a first positon to a second position effects movement of the lock plate from its first position to its second position.

In embodiments, the reload junction includes a proximal end configured to releasably engage an actuation device. The guide plate is supported on the proximal portion of the reload junction in a position to engage the actuation device during attachment of the circular stapler reload to the actuation device such that the guide plate is moved from its first position to its second position in response to attachment of the circular stapler reload to the actuation device.

In some embodiments, a biasing member is positioned to urge the guide plate towards its second position.

In certain embodiments, the guide plate defines a cam slot and the lock plate includes a boss that is received in the cam slot.

In embodiments, the anvil support assembly includes an anvil support link having a proximal end secured to the reload junction and a distal end operatively connected to the anvil assembly.

In some embodiments, the reload junction defines a central bore and the anvil support link includes a body defining a channel and a pair of longitudinal slots. The drive member includes a hub portion that is movably positioned within the central bore of the reload junction and the channel of the anvil support link.

In certain embodiments, the drive member includes a pair of wings that extend radially outward from the hub portion and are slidably disposed within the slots of the anvil support link.

In embodiments, each of the wings of the drive member supports a distally extending finger that engages the proximal end of the firing tube.

In some embodiments, the drive tube is movable distally in relation to the tube connector to move the pusher link in relation to the outer tube.

In certain embodiments, a biasing member is positioned to urge the firing tube proximally in relation to the tube connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical stapling instrument are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side, perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed circular stapler reload in an open configuration；

Fig. 2 is a side, perspective view of the presently disclosed circular stapler reload coupled to a stapler handle assembly；

Fig. 3 is a side, perspective, exploded view of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1；

Fig. 4 is a side, perspective view of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 with the outer tube and the housing removed；

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in Fig. 4；

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in Fig. 4；

Fig. 7 is a side, perspective, exploded view of the proximal portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1；

Fig. 8 is a side, perspective view of a lock plate of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1；

Fig. 9 is a side, perspective view of the proximal end of the presently disclosed circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 with the cover of the reload junction separated from the body of the reload junction；

Fig. 10 is a side, perspective view of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 with portions of the firing assembly removed and the reload junction shown in phantom；

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in Fig. 10；

Fig. 12 is a side, cross-sectional view of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 in the open configuration；

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in Fig. 12；

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in Fig. 12；

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 15-15 of Fig. 13；

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 15-15 of Fig. 15；

Fig. 17 is a side, perspective view from the proximal end of the proximal portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 with the lock plate moved to an unlocked position；

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18 of Fig. 17；

Fig. 19 is a side, cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 in a clamped configuration；

Fig. 20 is a side, cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 19 in the clamped configuration with the reload rotated ninety degrees；

Fig. 21 is a side, cross-sectional view of the proximal portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 in a clamped configuration as the reload is being fired.

Fig. 22 is a side, cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the circular stapler reload shown in Fig. 1 in the clamped configuration； and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is farthest from the clinician.

The presently disclosed circular stapler reload is configured to be releasably coupled to an actuation device of a surgical stapling instrument, e.g.， a handle assembly, and includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly supports an annular array of staples and an annular knife blade for joining and coring tissue. The circular stapler reload can be disengaged from the actuation device of the surgical stapling instrument after the staples have been fired from the cartridge and replaced with a fresh circular stapler reload to facilitate reuse of the actuation device.

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the presently disclosed circular stapler reload shown generally as 10. The reload 10 includes a housing 12, an outer tube 14 movably supported within the housing 12, a tool assembly 16 supported on the distal end of the outer tube 14, and a reload junction 18 supported on the proximal end of the housing 12. The reload junction 18 is configured to releasably engage an actuation device, e.g., a manually driven handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) . Alternatively, the actuation device can include other drive mechanisms including robotic systems, electrically driven actuation devices, etc. The tool assembly 16 includes a cartridge assembly 22 and an anvil assembly 24 which are movable in relation to each other between an open configuration and a clamped configuration. Each of the components of the stapler reload identified above will be described in further detail below.

Referring to Fig. 2, the handle assembly 20 includes a handle mechanism 26 and a body portion 28. In embodiments, the handle mechanism 26 includes a firing trigger 30, a stationary handle 32, retraction knobs 34 and a rotation knob 36 which rotatably supports the body portion 28 in relation to the handle mechanism 26. Such a stapling instrument is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,865,361 ( “the 361 patent” ) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternately, as discussed above, it is envisioned that the reload 10 can be used with other actuation devices having a suitable drive mechanism to operate the stapler reload 10 as described in detail below.

Referring to Figs. 3-8, as discussed above, the reload junction 18 of the reload 10 is fixedly secured within, and extends from, the proximal end of the housing 12. The reload junction 18 can be secured within the housing 12 by press-fitting, crimping, using adhesives, welding or the like and includes a body 18a defining a central bore 40 and a pair of diametrically opposed radially extending slots 42 (Fig. 12) . The central bore 40 is dimensioned to fixedly receive one end of an anvil assembly support assembly 38 as discussed in detail below.

The anvil assembly support assembly 38 includes an anvil support link 44, a pair of resilient bands 50, and an anvil retainer 52. A proximal end of the anvil support link 44 is fixedly received within the central bore 40 of the reload junction 18. The anvil support link 44 includes a body 44a defining a channel 46 (Fig. 5) and a pair of elongated slots 48 that communicate with the channel 46. A distal end of the body 44a of the anvil support link 44 defines a transverse slot 44b that receives the proximal end of each of the resilient bands 50. The bands 50 are fixedly secured within the transverse slot 44b by pins 52. A distal end of the bands 50 are secured to the anvil retainer 52 by a pair of pins 56. In embodiments, the anvil retainer 52 is in the form of a trocar and is configured to releasably engage the anvil assembly 24. U.S. Patent No. 7,431,191 ( “the ‘191 patent” ) discloses an anvil retainer and anvil assembly suitable for use in the presently disclosed reload and is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, a detailed description of the anvil assembly 24 and the anvil retainer 54 is not provided herein.

As discussed above, the reload junction 18 has a distal end that is fixedly secured to the housing 12 of the reload 10 and a proximal end configured to releasably engage an actuation device, e.g., handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) . With this arrangement, the anvil assembly 24 is fixed in relation to the housing 12 of the reload 10 and fixed in relation to the handle assembly 20 when the reload 10 is attached to the handle assembly 20, as will be discussed in further detail below.

The reload 10 also includes an integrated approximation and firing assembly 60 that includes an interface connector 62, a drive member 64, a firing tube 66, a tube connector 68, the outer tube 14, and a pusher link 70. The interface connector 62 is configured to releasably engage the distal end of a control rod or drive member (not shown) of the actuation device. An interface suitable for use with the reload 10 is described in further detail in the ‘361 patent which is incorporated herein by reference. The interface connector 62 is fixedly secured to a proximal end of the drive member 64.

The drive member 64 includes a proximal end having a hub portion 72 and a pair of diametrically opposed wings 74 (Fig. 12) . The hub portion 72 is configured to move within the central bore 40 of the reload junction 18 and the channel 46 of the anvil support link 44 such that the wings 74 move through the

slots

42 and 48 of the reload junction 18 and anvil support link 44, respectively. Each of the wings 74 of the drive member 64 supports a distally extending finger 76 which is positioned to engage a proximal end of the firing tube 66. More specifically, the distal end of each finger 76 includes a tip 76a having a reduced diameter that is received in a bore 80 formed in the proximal end of the firing tube 66 (Fig. 8) .

The firing tube 66 includes an annular flange 82 having a proximal surface that defines the bores 80 (Fig. 8) and a distal surface that defines a shoulder 82a. The distal end of the firing tube 66 is fixedly secured within a proximal end of the pusher link 70 by one or more pins 86, e.g., 2 pins, such that linear movement of the firing tube 66 in relation to the reload junction 18 causes corresponding movement of the pusher link 70.

The tube connector 68 has a cylindrical body 68a that is positioned about the firing tube 66 at a position proximally of the proximal end of the pusher link 70. The tube connector 68 has an inner diameter dimensioned to slidably receive the annular flange 82 of the firing tube 66 and to define an annular recess 84 between the outer surface of the firing tube 66 and the inner surface of the tube connector 68. A distal end of the tube connector 68 includes an inwardly extending lip 86 (Fig. 5) . A compression spring 90 is positioned within the annular recess 84 between the shoulder 82a of the flange 82 of the firing tube 66 and the lip 86 of the tube connector 68 to urge the firing tube 66 proximally in relation to tube connector 68. The tube connector 68 is secured to the outer tube 14 by pins 92 (Fig. 3) such that distal movement of the tube connector 68 causes corresponding distal movement of the outer tube 14.

The outer tube 14 includes a proximal end that defines a cutout 94 (Fig. 3) . The tube connector 68 includes a cylindrical projection 96 that extends radially outward of the cylindrical body 68a. The cylindrical projection 96 receives a firing lockout member 98 and a biasing member, e.g., a spring 100, that is positioned to urge the firing lockout member 98 outwardly from the body 68a of the firing tube 66 to an extended position. The firing lockout member 98 is movable from a retracted position (Fig. 5) in which the firing lockout member 98 is positioned to engage the flange 82 of the firing tube 66 to prevent distal movement of the firing tube 66 within the tube connector 68 to the extended position (Fig. 19) in which the firing lockout member 98 is positioned to facilitate distal movement of the firing tube 66 within the tube connector 68 as will be discussed in further detail below.

As discussed above, the outer tube 14 is movable within the housing 12 from a retracted position to an advanced position. The housing 12 defines a longitudinal channel 106 that is positioned to receive one end of the firing lockout member 98 and has a distally positioned channel recess 108. When the outer tube 14 and tube connector 68 are in their retracted position, the firing lockout member 98 is retained in its retracted position by engagement with an inner wall of the housing 12 defining the channel 106 (Fig. 5) . When the outer tube 14 and the tube connector 68 are moved to their advanced position within the housing 12, the channel recess 108 receives the firing lockout member 98 to allow the firing lockout member 98 to move from its retracted position to its extended position (Fig. 19) to facilitate distal movement of the firing tube 66 within the tube connector 68. In embodiments, a wedge member 110 (Fig. 5) having a tapered distal end 110a can be secured within the channel 106 of the housing 12 to define the channel recess 108. Alternately, the recess 108 can be defined by or in the housing 12. A distal end of the channel 106 can be enclosed by a cap 106a.

The distal end 14a of the outer tube 14 supports the cartridge assembly 22. The cartridge assembly 22 includes an outer shell 116, a pusher 118, an annular knife 120 a cylindrical bearing 127 and a staple cartridge 122. The shell 116 includes a pair of flexible projections 126 that are received in openings 128 formed at the distal end 14a of the outer tube 14 to fixedly secure the shell 116 to the distal end 14a of the outer tube 14. The pusher 118 is movably supported within the shell 116 and is secured to the distal end of the pusher link 70 such that distal movement of the pusher link 70 causes distal movement of the pusher 118 within the shell 116. In embodiments, the pusher link 70 includes a pair of resilient fingers 130 (Figs. 6 and 11) that are received within openings 132 formed at the distal end of the pusher 118 to secure the pusher 118 to the distal end of the pusher link 70. A distal end of the pusher 118 includes fingers 134 that are received in staple pockets 136 of the staple cartridge 122. The staple pockets 136 support staples 138 (Fig. 6) which are forced from the staple pockets 136 by the fingers 134 of the pusher 118 when the pusher 118 is moved from a retracted position within the shell 116 to an advanced position within the shell 116. The knife 120 is secured to the pusher 118 and is positioned to pass through an inner diameter of the staple cartridge 122 when the pusher is moved from its retracted position to its advanced position within the shell 116. A more detailed discussion of a suitable cartridge assembly is provided in the ‘191 patent which has been incorporated herein by reference.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the outer tube 14 has a curved configuration. Similarly, the pusher link 70 has a curved central body portion 70a having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and upper and lower curved surfaces 70b and 70c, respectively. The curved central body portion 70a allows the pusher link 70 to flex more easily to facilitate longitudinal movement of the pusher link 70 within the curved outer tube 14. The lower curved surface 70c of the pusher link 70 defines a guide surface for the flexible bands 50. A spacer 144 is provided on each side of the central body portion 70a of the pusher link 70 to provide stability to the pusher link 70 and minimize the likelihood of buckling of the pusher link 70 during firing. For a more detailed discussion of this structure, see the ‘191 patent which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to Figs. 9-16, the reload junction 18 defines a longitudinal channel 150 and a transverse channel 152 that are enclosed by a cover 156. The longitudinal channel 150 receives a linearly movable guide plate 160 (Fig. 12) that includes a body 162 having a proximal extension 162a and defining a cam slot 162b that is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the reload junction 18. The body 162 also includes a distal extension 162c. A biasing member 164 is positioned about the distal extension 162c within the a distal portion of the longitudinal channel 150 to urge the guide plate 160 proximally in relation to the reload junction 18.

The transverse channel 152 of the reload junction 18 supports a lock plate 166 (Fig. 12) . The lock plate 166 has an arcuate body having a boss 168 (Fig. 13) that rides in the cam slot 162b of the guide plate 160 and a locking tab 170. The locking tab 170 is configured to be received within a cutout 172 (Fig. 12) formed on an upper surface of the drive member 64 to prevent longitudinal movement of the drive member 64. The locking tab 170 is movable within the transverse channel 152 in response to attachment of the reload 10 to the actuation device, e.g., handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) from a first position in which the locking tab 170 is positioned within the cutout 172 (Fig. 16) of the drive member 64 to a second position in which the locking tab 170 is removed from the cutout 172 as will be discussed in further detail below.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, the proximal extension 162a of the guide plate 160 is positioned on a proximal end of the reload junction 18 offset from a pair of nubs 178. The nubs 178 are configured to be received in slots (not shown) formed in the distal end of the actuation device to secure the reload 10 to the actuation device, e.g., handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) in a bayonet type fashion. When the nubs 178 enter the slots in the handle assembly 20 to secure the reload 10 to the handle assembly 20, the proximal extension 162a of the guide plate 160 engages the handle assembly 20 and is pushed distally in the direction indicated by arrow “A” in Fig. 17. As the guide plate 160 moves distally, the cam slot 162b moves in relation to the boss 168 (Fig. 13) to cam the boss 168 and, thus, the lock plate 166, in the direction indicated by arrow “B” in Fig 17 and 18. When the lock plate 166 moves in the direction indicated by arrow ‘B” , the locking tab 170 is removed from the cutout 172 of the drive member 64, as shown in Fig. 18, to allow for longitudinal movement of the drive member 64 in relation to the reload junction 18.

Referring briefly back to Fig. 5, prior to attachment of the reload 10 to handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) , the locking tab 170 of the lock plate 166 is positioned within the cutout 172 of the drive member 64 such that the drive member 64 is retained in the central bore 40 of the reload junction 18. As discussed above, the drive member 64 is engaged to the annular flange 82 of the firing tube 66 which is pinned to the pusher link 70 by pins 86 (Fig. 3) . The firing tube 66 is urged to its retracted position by a compression spring 90 that is positioned between the firing tube 66 and the tube connector 68. The tube connector 68 is in its retracted position and is pinned to the outer tube 14 by pins 92 (Fig. 3) . The firing lockout member 98 is engaged with the inner wall of the housing 12 and is retained in its retracted position within the cylindrical projection 96. In its retracted position, the firing lockout member 98 is positioned to obstruct movement of the firing tube 66 within the tube connector 68 to prevent distal movement of the firing tube 66 in relation to the tube connector 68 and outer tube 14.

Referring briefly to Fig. 6, with the drive member 64, the firing tube 66, the tube connector 68, the outer tube 14 and the pusher link 70 in their retracted positions, the cartridge assembly 22 is spaced from the anvil assembly 24 and the pusher 118 is in its retracted position within the shell 116 of the cartridge assembly 22. In the retracted position of the pusher 118, the fingers 134 of the pusher 118 are positioned within the staple pockets 136 of the staple cartridge 122 at a position proximally of the staples 138.

As discussed above with regard to Figs. 17 and 18, when the reload 10 is secured to the handle assembly 20, the proximal extension 162a of the guide plate 160 engages the handle assembly 20 and is pushed distally. Distal movement of the guide plate 160 causes the lock plate 166 to moves transversely within the transverse channel 152 of the reload junction 18 to remove the locking tab 170 of the lock plate 166 from the cutout 172 of the drive member 64. As this occurs, the control rod (not shown) of the handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) is coupled to the interface connector 62 (Fig. 19) of the reload 10.

Referring to Figs. 19 and 20, when the actuation device, e.g., handle assembly 20 (Fig. 2) is actuated to advance the control rod (not shown) of the actuation device, the interface connector 62 of the reload 62 is advanced distally within the central bore 40 of the reload junction 18 into the channel 46 of the anvil support link 44. The anvil support link 44 is fixed to the reload junction 18 and, thus, remains stationary in relation to the reload junction 18. As the interface connector 62 is advanced within the channel 46 of the anvil support link 44, the drive member 64 which is fixed to the interface connector 62 is also advanced into the channel 46 of the anvil support link 44. The wings 74 (Fig. 12) of the drive member 64 extend through the slots 48 of the anvil support link 44 such that the fingers 76 of the drive member 64, which are engaged with the flange 82 of the firing tube 66, advance the firing tube 66 within the housing 12 of the reload 10.

As discussed above, the firing lockout member 98 is retained its retracted position by an inner wall or wedge member 110 of the housing 12 to prevent movement of the firing tube 66 within the tube connector 68. As such, the firing tube 66 cannot move distally in relation to the tube connector 68. Thus, as the firing tube 66 is advanced distally by the drive member 64 in the direction indicated by arrow “C” in Fig. 19, the tube connector 68 is also advanced distally within the housing 12 in the direction indicated by arrow “D” in Fig. 19. This advancement of the firing tube 66, which is connected to the pusher link 70 by pins 86, and the tube connector 68, which is connected to the outer tube 14 by pins 92, causes corresponding advancement of the pusher link 70 and the outer tube 14. Since the cartridge assembly 22 is supported on the distal end of the outer tube 14 and the distal end of the pusher link 70, the cartridge assembly 22 is advanced towards the anvil assembly 24 to the clamped or approximated position.

As shown in Fig. 19, when the firing lockout member 98 is positioned in the distal end of the channel 106 of the housing 12 beneath the channel recess 108, the firing lockout member 98 is moves in the direction indicated by arrow “E” in Fig. 19 to the extended position by the spring 100. In its extended position, the firing lockout member 98 is moved to a position to facilitate distal movement of the firing tube 66 in relation to the tube connector 68. In this position, the cylindrical projection 96 of the tube connector 68 engages the cap 106a of channel 106 to prevent further advancement of the tube connector 68 within the housing 12.

Referring to Figs. 21 and 22, when the firing lockout member 98 moves to its extended position, further advancement of the drive member 64 causes the firing tube 66 to move independently of the tube connector 68 and the outer tube 14 within the tube connector 68. Advancement of the drive member 64 within the outer tube 14 causes advancement of the pusher 118 within the shell 116 of the cartridge assembly 22 to advance the fingers 134 of pusher 118 through the staple pockets 136 to eject the staples from the staple cartridge 122.

After the reload 10 has been fired, the reload 10 can be removed from engagement with the actuation device and disposed of as desired. Thereafter, a new reload 10 can be secured to the actuation device to facilitate reuse of the actuation device.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

A circular stapler reload comprising:

a housing；

an outer tube movable in relation to the housing；

a reload junction fixedly secured to a proximal end of the housing, the reload junction being configured to releasably engage an actuation device；

an anvil assembly；

an anvil support assembly having a proximal end secured to the reload junction and a distal end supporting the anvil assembly；

a cartridge assembly supported on the distal end of the outer tube；

wherein the outer tube is movably supported in relation to the reload junction between a retracted position and an advanced position to advance the cartridge assembly towards the anvil assembly from a spaced position to a clamped position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 1, further including an interface connector movably supported by the reload junction, the interface connector being operatively associated with the outer tube and being configured to releasably engage the actuation device.
The circular stapler reload of claim 2, wherein the interface connector is secured to a drive member, the drive member being movably supported within the housing by the anvil support assembly.
The circular stapler reload of claim 3, further including a firing tube, a pusher link operatively engaged with the cartridge assembly and a tube connector, wherein the firing tube is coupled to a pusher link, the tube connector is coupled to the outer tube, and the drive member is coupled to the firing tube such that distal movement of the drive member effects distal movement of the firing tube and corresponding distal movement of the pusher link.
The circular stapler reload of claim 4, wherein the tube connector is releasably coupled to the firing tube such that distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the reload junction effects distal movement of the tube connector and corresponding distal movement of the outer tube to advance the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly from the spaced position to the clamped position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 5, further including a firing lockout member supported on the tube connector, the firing lockout member being positioned to prevent distal movement of the firing tube independently of the tube connector until the cartridge assembly is moved to the clamped position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 6, wherein the firing lockout member is supported for movement between a retracted position in which the firing lockout member obstructs distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the tube connector and an extended position in which the firing lockout member does not obstruct distal movement of the firing tube in relation to the tube connector.
The circular stapler reload of claim 6, wherein the housing defines a channel that receives the firing lockout member, the channel having a distal end defining a recess, a wall defining the channel being positioned to retain the firing lockout member in the retracted position until the cartridge assembly is moved to the clamped position, the recess being positioned to allow the firing lockout member to move from the retracted position to the extended position when the firing lockout member is aligned with the recess.
The circular stapler reload of claim 8, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the firing lockout member towards the extended position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a pusher having a plurality of fingers and an annular staple cartridge defining a plurality of staple pockets configured to receive the fingers of the pusher, the pusher being coupled to the pusher link such that distal movement of the pusher link effects distal movment of the pusher to move the fingers within the staple pockets.
The circular stapler reload of claim 3, further including a lock plate supported on the reload junction and including a locking tab, wherein the drive member defines a cutout, the lock plate being movable from a first position in which the locking tab is positioned within the cutout to prevent movement of the drive member to a second position in which the locking tab is moved from within the cutout.
The circular stapler reload of claim 11, further including a guide plate supported on the reload junction, the guide plate being operatively engaged with the lock plate such that movement of the guide plate from a first positon to a second position effects movement of the lock plate from its first position to its second position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 12, wherein the reload junction includes a proximal end configured to releasably engage an actuation device, the guide plate being supported on the proximal portion of the reload junction in a positon to engage the actuation device during attachment of the circular stapler reload to the actuation device such that the guide plate is moved from its first position to its second position in response to attachment of the circular stapler reload to the actuation device.
The circular stapler reload of claim 13, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the guide plate towards its second position.
The circular stapler reload of claim 14, wherein the guide plate defines a cam slot and the lock plate includes a boss that is received in the cam slot.
The circular stapler reload of claim 1, wherein the anvil support assembly includes a anvil support link having a proximal end secured to the reload junction and a distal end operatively connected to the anvil assembly.
The circular stapler reload of claim 16, wherein reload junction defines a central bore and the anvil support link includes a body defining a channel and a pair of longitudinal slots, the drive member including a hub portion that is movably positioned within the central bore of the reload junction and the channel of the anvil support link.
The circular stapler reload of claim 17, wherein the drive member includes a pair of wings that extend radially outward from the hub portion, the wings being slidably disposed within the slots of the anvil support link.
The circular stapler reload of claim 18, wherein each of the wings of the drive member supports a distally extending finger that engages a proximal end of the firing tube.
The circular stapler reload of claim 5, wherein the firing tube is distally movable in relation to the tube connector to move the pusher link in relation to the outer tube.
The circular stapler reload of claim 20, further including a biasing member positioned to urge the firing tube proximally in relation to the tube connector.