Surgical stapling apparatus
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
1. A surgical apparatus comprising:
a handle assembly;
an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a first longitudinal axis;
a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis, the tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and being movable between a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis to a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle to the first longitudinal axis;
a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the drive member having a distal end which is movable in relation to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly; and
at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate having a planar surface substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out plate is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.
2. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one blow out plate includes first and second blow-out plates, the first and second blow-out plates being positioned on opposite sides of the flexible drive member and the pivot axis.
3. A surgical apparatus according the claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a distal end having a first bend positioned within a respective first groove operatively associated with the tool assembly.
4. A surgical apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a proximal end having a second bend positioned within a respective second groove formed in the elongated body portion.
5. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the tool assembly forms part of a disposable loading unit, the disposable loading unit including the tool assembly, a proximal housing portion and a mounting assembly, the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit forming a distal extension of the elongated body portion.
6. A surgical apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second grooves are formed in the distal end of the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit.
7. A surgical apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the tool assembly is fixedly secured to the mounting assembly and the mounting assembly is pivotally secured to the proximal housing portion.
8. A surgical apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the proximal housing portion of the disposable loading unit is releasably coupled to the elongated body portion.
9. A surgical apparatus according to claim 3 , further including a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly having a distal end fixedly secured to the tool assembly and a proximal end pivotally secured to the elongated body portion.
10. A surgical apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the first grooves are formed in the mounting assembly.
11. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible drive member includes at least one flat sheet of material.
12. A surgical apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible drive member includes a plurality of stacked flat sheets of material.
13. A surgical apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible drive member includes a distal working head for actuating the tool assembly.
14. A surgical apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the distal working head includes vertical strut having a knife blade supported thereon.
15. A surgical apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and clamped positions.
16. A surgical apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the distal working head of the flexible drive member includes a cam member positioned to engage the anvil assembly to move the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly from the open position to the closed position.
17. A surgical apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the distal working head of the flexible drive member supports an engagement member positioned for slidable movement along an exterior surface of the cartridge assembly.
18. In a surgical apparatus including an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly pivotally supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis and a flexible drive member extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, wherein the tool assembly is pivotal from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a position disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising
at least one flexible planar blow out plate having a proximal end positioned on one side of the drive member and extending from a position proximal of the pivot axis to a position distal of the pivot axis, the at least one planar blow out plate being substantially parallel to the pivot axis such that the at least one blow-out plate is positioned to inhibit outward bulging of the flexible drive member.
19. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one planar bow out plate includes first and second blow-out plates, the first and second blow-out plates being positioned on opposite sides of the flexible drive member and the pivot axis.
20. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second planar blow-out plates includes a distal end having a first bend positioned within a respective first groove operatively associated with the tool assembly.
21. A surgical apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second blow-out plates includes a proximal end having a second bend positioned within a respective second groove formed in the elongated body portion.