SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SLEEVE TO IMPROVE GRASPING CAPABILITY

Abstract

A surgical device includes first and second curved gripping sleeves that can be secured to first and second curved jaws of the surgical device to allow the device to function as a grasper. The curved gripping sleeves include nonslip surfaces which are brought into juxtaposed alignment with each other when the surgical device is moved from an open position to a clamped position to clamp tissue between the nonslip surfaces of the gripping sleeves.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising: a tool assembly including a first curved jaw and a second curved jaw movably coupled to the first curved jaw such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions; and a first curved gripping sleeve having a tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, wherein the first gripping sleeve is received about the first curved jaw such that the nonslip surface is in juxtaposed alignment with the second curved jaw when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

2. The surgical device of claim 1, further including a second curved gripping sleeve having a tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, wherein the second curved gripping sleeve is received about the second curved jaw such that the nonslip surface of the second curved gripping sleeve is in juxtaposed alignment with the nonslip surface of the first curved gripping sleeve when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

3. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the nonslip surfaces of the first and second curved gripping sleeves include protrusions that are positioned along the nonslip surfaces.

4. The surgical device of claim 3, wherein the protrusions include ribs positioned along the nonslip surfaces of the first and second curved gripping sleeves.

5. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first curved gripping sleeve is formed from a resilient material.

6. The surgical device of claim 5, wherein the bore defines a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the first curved jaw such that the first curved gripping sleeve is stretched about the first jaw.

7. The surgical device of claim 2, wherein the first curved jaw supports a staple cartridge and the second curved jaw supports an anvil.

8. The surgical device of claim 7, further including a handle assembly and an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the handle assembly coupled to the proximal portion of the elongate body and the tool assembly coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body.

9. The surgical device of claim 8, wherein the tool assembly forms part of a reload assembly, the reload assembly including a proximal body portion that is releasably coupled to the elongate body.

10. The surgical device of claim 2, wherein the first and second curved gripping sleeves are removably secured to the first and second curved jaws, respectively, of the tool assembly.

11. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the nonslip surface extends along the entire length of the first curved gripping sleeve.

12. A kit comprising: a surgical device including a tool assembly, the tool assembly having a first curved jaw and a second curved jaw movably coupled to the first curved jaw such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions; and a first curved gripping sleeve having a tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, the bore dimensioned to allow the tubular body to be removably received about the first curved jaw such that the nonslip surface is in juxtaposed alignment with the second curved jaw when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

13. The kit of claim 12, further including a second curved gripping sleeve having a tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, the bore defined by the second curved gripping sleeve dimensioned to allow the tubular body to be removably received about the second curved jaw such that the nonslip surface of the second curved gripping sleeve is in juxtaposed alignment with the nonslip surface of the first curved jaw when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the nonslip surfaces of the first and second curved gripping sleeves include protrusions that are positioned along the nonslip surfaces.

15. The kit of claim 12, wherein the first curved gripping sleeve is formed from a resilient material.

16. The kit of claim 12, wherein the first curved jaw of the stapling device supports a staple cartridge and the second jaw of the stapling device supports an anvil.

17. The kit of claim 12, wherein the surgical device includes a handle assembly and an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the handle assembly coupled to the proximal portion of the elongate body and the tool assembly coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the tool assembly of the surgical device forms part of a reload assembly, the reload assembly including a proximal body portion that is releasably coupled to the elongate body.

19. A surgical device comprising: a tool assembly including a first curved jaw supporting a staple cartridge and a second curved jaw supporting an anvil, the second curved jaw movably coupled to the first curved jaw such that the tool assembly is movable between open and clamped positions; a first curved gripping sleeve having a resilient tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, wherein the first curved gripping sleeve is received about the first curved jaw such that the nonslip surface is in juxtaposed alignment with the second curved jaw when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; and a second curved gripping sleeve having a resilient tubular body defining a bore and including a nonslip surface, wherein the second curved gripping sleeve is received about the second curved jaw such that the nonslip surface of the second curved gripping sleeve is in juxtaposed alignment with the nonslip surface of the first curved gripping sleeve when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

20. The surgical device of claim 19, wherein the nonslip surfaces of the first and second curved gripping sleeves include protrusions that are positioned along the nonslip surfaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device including a tool assembly in an open position with grasping sleeves according to aspects of the disclosure supported on jaws of the tool assembly;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly and grasping sleeves shown in FIG. 1 with the grasping sleeves separated from the first and second jaws;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the grasping sleeve of the first jaw of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the grasping sleeve of the second jaw of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0027] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the grasping sleeves secured to jaws of the tool assembly and the tool assembly in the open position;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through section line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through section line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the grasping sleeves supported on the jaws of the tool assembly and the tool assembly in a clamped position; and

[0032] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 inserted into a body cavity through a cannula with the grasping sleeves supported on the jaws of the tool assembly and the tool assembly clamped about a body vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The disclosed surgical stapling device and grasping sleeves 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 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 addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0034] 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 used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

[0035] This disclosure is directed to curved gripping sleeves that can be secured to curved jaws of a surgical device to allow the device to function as a grasper. In aspects of the disclosure, the curved gripping sleeves include nonslip surfaces which are brought into juxtaposed alignment with each other when the surgical device is moved from an open position to a clamped position to clamp tissue between the nonslip surfaces of the curved gripping sleeves. In other aspects of the disclosure, the curved gripping sleeves are received about the curved jaws of the surgical device and are formed of a resilient material to retain the curved gripping sleeves on the first and second jaws.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates the disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 which includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 forms part of a reload assembly 18 that is releasably coupled to a distal end 14a of the elongate body 14 and includes a proximal body portion 20 and the tool assembly 16. Alternately, the tool assembly 16 can be secured directly to a distal portion 14a of the elongate body 14. The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X”.

[0037] The handle assembly 12 includes a body 19 that defines a hand grip 24, a trigger 26 that is mounted on the body 19 and is movable towards the hand grip 24, and a rotation knob 22. The rotation knob 22 is rotatably supported on a distal portion of the body 19 of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongate body 14 to facilitate rotation of the elongate body 14 and the tool assembly 16 in relation to the handle assembly 12 about the longitudinal axis “X”. The trigger 26 is manually operable to control operation of the various functions of the stapling device 10 including approximation, firing and cutting. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as a manually operated stapling device, it is envisioned that aspects of this disclosure are suitable for use with robotically controlled stapling devices and electrically powered stapling devices. U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943 (“the '943 Patent”) discloses a surgical stapling device including an electrically powered handle assembly and U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (“the '139 Patent”) discloses a manually actuated handle assembly. For a more detailed description of construction and operation of an exemplary handle assembly and elongate body 14 which are suitable for use with the tool assembly 16 of the stapling device 10, see, e.g., the '943 and '139 Patents.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates the tool assembly 16 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The tool assembly 16 includes first and second curved jaws 32 and 34 that extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 14. In aspects of the disclosure, the first jaw 32 supports a curved staple cartridge 36 and the second jaw 34 supports a curved anvil 38 (FIG. 7). The first jaw 32 is movable in relation to the second jaw 34 such that the tool assembly 16 can move between open and clamped positions. In the clamped position, the staple cartridge 36 is in juxtaposed alignment with the anvil 38. In aspects of the disclosure, the first jaw 32 is coupled to the second jaw 34 by pivot members 40 such that the first jaw 32 can pivot in relation to the second jaw 34 and in relation to the proximal body portion 20 of the reload assembly 18 between the open and clamped positions. Alternately, it is envisioned that the first jaw 32 could pivot in relation to the second jaw 34 and in relation to the proximal body portion 20 of the reload assembly 18 to move the tool assembly 16 between the open and clamped positions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,561,432, 8,444,038, and 7,988,028 disclose surgical stapling devices that have tool assemblies that extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

[0039] The staple cartridge 36 (FIG. 4) is received within a cavity defined by the first jaw 32 and includes a cartridge body 44 that defines a central curved knife slot 46 and staple receiving pockets 48 which are aligned in rows on each side of the central curved knife slot 46. Each of the staple receiving pockets 48 receives a staple (not shown) and a pusher (not shown). The cartridge body 44 supports an actuation sled (not shown) that is movable through the cartridge body 44 upon actuation of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) to eject staples from the cartridge body 44 into the anvil 38 when the tool assembly 16 is in its clamped position. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge 36 is removable from the first jaw 32 and replaceable to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The first jaw 32 supports a first curved gripping sleeve 50 and the second jaw 34 supports a second curved gripping sleeve 52. The '139 Patent describes interaction of the actuation sled and pushers to eject staples from the staple cartridge.

[0040] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the first gripping sleeve 50 which includes a tubular body 56 that defines a bore 58 (FIG. 5) that receives the first jaw 32 and the staple cartridge 36 (FIG. 8). The gripping sleeve 50 has a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the first jaw 32. In aspects of the disclosure, the body 56 has an opening 58a at one end that communicates with the bore 58 and a second closed end 58b. Although the second end 58b is illustrated to be closed, it is envisioned that the second end 58b can also be open. In aspects of the disclosure, the tubular body 56 of the first gripping sleeve 50 includes a nonslip surface 60 that extends along a least a portion of the longitudinal length of the first gripping sleeve 50. In some aspects of the disclosure, the nonslip surface 60 extends along substantially the entire length of the first gripping sleeve 50 and includes transverse ribs 62 that are spaced along at least a portion of the length of the nonslip surface 60. Although the ribs 62 are shown to be uniformly distributed along the entire length of the nonslip surface 60, it is envisioned that the ribs 62 could be provided in groups or be further spaced along the nonslip surface 60. Alternately, it is envisioned that the nonslip surface 60 can be formed or defined by a variety of different patterns of raised surfaces or recesses, or of slip resistant materials that prevent slippage along the surface 60. In some aspects of the disclosure, the first gripping sleeve 50 is formed of a resilient material such as an elastomer that can be stretched about the first jaw 32 and the staple cartridge 36 (FIG. 8) to secure the first gripping sleeve 50 to the first jaw 32. It is envisioned that the first gripping sleeve 50 need not be formed of a resilient material but could be retained on the first jaw 32 using other securement techniques or structures. For example, an inner surface of the first gripping sleeve 50 could include structure such as ribs or projections that engage the first jaw 32 to obstruct removal of the first gripping sleeve 50 from the first jaw 32.

[0041] In aspects of the disclosure, the portion of the first gripping sleeve 50 that supports or includes the nonslip surface 60 has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the remaining portion of the tubular body 56 of the first gripping sleeve 50. The reduced thickness of the remaining portion of the tubular body 56 of the first gripping sleeve 50 allows the first gripping sleeve 50 to be stretched about the first jaw 32 to secure the first gripping sleeve 50 to the first jaw 32.

[0042] FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the second gripping sleeve 52 which includes a tubular body 66 that defines a bore 68 that receives the second jaw 34 and the anvil 38. The gripping sleeve 52 has a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the second jaw 34. In aspects of the disclosure, the body 66 has an opening 68a at one end that communicates with the bore 68 and a second closed end 68b. Although the second end 68b is illustrated to be closed, it is envisioned that the second end 68b can also be open. In aspects of the disclosure, the tubular body 66 of the second gripping sleeve 52 also includes a nonslip surface 70 that extends along a least a portion of the longitudinal length of the second gripping sleeve 52. In some aspects of the disclosure, the nonslip surface 70 extends along substantially the entire length of the second gripping sleeve 52 and includes transverse ribs 72 that are spaced along at least a portion of the length of the nonslip surface 70. Alternately, it is envisioned that the nonslip surface 70 can be formed or defined by a variety of different patterns of raised surfaces or recesses, or slip-resistant materials that prevent slippage along the surface. In some aspects of the disclosure, the second gripping sleeve 52 is formed of a resilient material such as an elastomer that can be stretched about the second jaw 34 and the anvil 38 to secure the second gripping sleeve 52 to the second jaw 34. It is envisioned that the second gripping sleeve 52 need not be formed of a resilient material but could be retained on the second jaw 34 using other securement techniques or structures. For example, an inner surface of the second gripping sleeve 52 could include structure such as ribs or projections that engage the second jaw 34 to obstruct removal of the second gripping sleeve 52 from the second jaw 34.

[0043] In aspects of the disclosure, the portion of the second gripping sleeve 52 that supports or includes the nonslip surface 70 has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the remaining portion of the tubular body 66 of the second gripping sleeve 52. The reduced thickness of the remaining portion of the tubular body 66 of the second gripping sleeve 52 allows the second gripping sleeve 52 to be stretched about the second jaw 34 to secure the second gripping sleeve 52 to the first jaw 34.

[0044] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the tool assembly 16 with the first gripping sleeve 50 received about the first jaw 32 and the staple cartridge 36 (FIG. 8) and the second gripping sleeve 52 received about the second jaw 34 and the anvil 38 (FIG. 7). When the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52 are received about the first and second jaws 32 and 34, respectively, and the tool assembly 16 is moved to the clamped position (FIG. 9), the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 of the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52 are in juxtaposed alignment. In aspects of the disclosure, the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 of the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52, respectively, are positioned to engage each other when the tool assembly 16 is in the clamped position. Alternately, the thickness of the first and second gripping sleeves can be dimensioned to provide some predetermined gap between the first and second sleeves 50 and 52 when the tool assembly 16 is in the clamped position.

[0045] In aspects of the disclosure, the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 of the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52, respectively, are integrally formed with the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52. Alternately, the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 can be secured to the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52 using adhesives or laminates, or the like.

[0046] After a surgical stapling procedure is completed using the stapling device 10, the stapling device 10 is removed from the body cavity 102 (FIG. 10) and the gripping sleeves 50 and 52 are positioned about the first and second jaws 32 and 34, respectively. Once the first and second sleeves are positioned on the first and second jaws 32 and 34, respectively, the surgical stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) can now be used to grasp and manipulate tissue.

[0047] As described above, the first and second jaws 32 and 34 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) and the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52, respectively, are curved. In order to insert the tool assembly 16 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) into a body cavity “BC”, the reload assembly 18 is separated from the elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) and a cannula (not shown) is positioned about the proximal body portion 20 of the reload assembly 18. Next, the tool assembly 16 is rotated through an incision (not shown) in a patient to position the tool assembly within 16 the body cavity “BC” of the patient. Once the tool assembly 16 has been rotated through the incision, the cannula (not shown) and the proximal body portion 20 of the reload assembly 18 can be inserted through the incision.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates the distal portion of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) positioned within a body cavity 102 and gripping a vessel “V”. The first and second curved gripping sleeves 50 and 52 are supported on the first and second curved jaws 32 and 34, respectively. In order to position the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) about the vessel “V”, the tool assembly 16 is moved to the open position and the vessel “V” is positioned between the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 of the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52. The tool assembly 16 is then moved to the clamped position to compress the vessel “V” between the nonslip surfaces 60 and 70 of the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52.

[0049] It is envisioned that the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52 can be used together or independently to grip tissue. It is also envisioned that the first and second gripping sleeves 50 and 52 can be secured to only one or both of the jaws 32 and 34 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) prior to or before firing of the stapling device to adapt the stapling device for grasping of a vessel “V”. In some aspects of the disclosure, one or both of the gripping sleeves 50 and 52 are coupled to one or both of the jaws 32 and 34 of the tool assembly 16 after the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired to allow the stapling device 10 to function as a grasper after the stapling device performs its stapling function.

[0050] It is envisioned that the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) can be provided in a kit with one or both of the first or second gripping sleeves. Thus, after a clinician has completed a stapling function during a surgical procedure, one or both of the first or second gripping sleeves can be secured to one or both of the jaws of the stapling device 10 to convert the stapling device 10 into a grasper. It is also envisioned that an internal surface of the first and/or second gripping sleeves can be formed with a tacky or slip resistant surface that is configured to retain the gripping sleeves on the first and/or second jaws of the stapling device.

[0051] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.