Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 1996
Date of Patent:
August 18, 1998
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Inventors:
Steven W. Hamblin, David A. Witt, Thomas J. Sierocuk, Kirk M. Nicola, Matthew R. Otten, Craig B. Berky
Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 1995
Date of Patent:
February 25, 1997
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Inventors:
Steven W. Hamblin, David A. Witt, Thomas J. Sierocuk, Kirk M. Nicola, Matthew R. Otten, Craig B. Berky
Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 1995
Date of Patent:
August 20, 1996
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Inventors:
Steven W. Hamblin, David A. Witt, Thomas J. Sierocuk, Kirk M. Nicola, Matthew R. Otten, Craig B. Berky