WO2025202813A1 - Stapling device with rotary knife - Google Patents

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge, and a drive assembly that includes a working member that supports a knife having a cutting edge. The drive assembly supports an indexing member that is engaged with the knife and is movable to index the knife to expose a different portion of the cutting edge of the knife to tissue.

Description

STAPLING DEVICE WITH ROTARY KNIFE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/569,385, filed March 25, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] This technology is generally related to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly, to a surgical stapling device including a knife for cutting tissue.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Surgical stapling devices configured for endoscopic use are well known and commonly used during surgical procedures to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery times. Typically, endoscopic stapling devices include a tool assembly and a drive assembly that is movable in relation to the tool assembly to actuate the tool assembly. The drive assembly includes a knife having a cutting blade for cutting tissue. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are coupled together and movable in relation to each other between an open position and a clamped position in response to movement of the drive assembly from a retracted position towards an advanced position. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that supports staples and an actuation sled. The actuation sled is advanced by the drive assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge.

[0004] Some stapling devices include a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. Other stapling devices include a reload assembly that includes a staple cartridge and a drive assembly that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The use of a reload assembly provides a new cutting blade for each firing of the stapling device to maintain the quality of cutting. The use of replaceable staple cartridges reduces the costs associated with a surgical procedure but generally requires reuse of the cutting blade. Repeated use of the same cutting blade may cause the cutting blade to become dull, reducing the quality of cutting.

[0005] A continuing need exists for a surgical stapling device that can provide a fresh cutting blade through multiple firings of the stapling device in a cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY [0006] Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a surgical stapling device that includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge, and a drive assembly that includes a working member that supports a knife having a cutting edge. The drive assembly supports an indexing member that is engaged with the knife and is movable to index the knife to expose a different portion of the cutting edge of the knife to tissue.

[0007] Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a stapling device including a tool assembly having an anvil, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot. The actuation sled is movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, and the anvil and the staple cartridge define a tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The drive assembly includes a drive beam and a working member assembly. The drive beam has a distal end coupled to the working member assembly, and the working member assembly includes a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member. The clamp member includes a first beam, a second beam, and a strut that includes a stop member and connects the first beam to the second beam. The first beam is positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam is positioned to engage the cartridge assembly. The circular knife is rotatably supported on the strut and includes outer bores angularly spaced about the knife and a cutting edge. A first portion of the cutting edge is positioned across the tissue gap, and the stop member is received in one of the through bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position. The indexing member is engaged with the knife and is rotatably supported on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position. The indexing member is movable from the first position to the second position to index the knife to position a second portion of the cutting edge across the tissue gap.

[0008] Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and a tool assembly. The adapter assembly has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the proximal portion is coupled to the handle assembly. The tool assembly is coupled to the distal portion of the adapter assembly and includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly, and a drive assembly. The cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled. The cartridge body defines a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot. The actuation sled is movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, and the anvil and the staple cartridge define a tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The drive assembly includes a drive beam and a working member assembly, and the drive beam has a distal end coupled to the working member assembly. The working member assembly includes a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member. The clamp member includes a first beam, a second beam, and a strut having a stop member that connects the first beam to the second beam. The first beam is positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam is positioned to engage the cartridge assembly. The circular knife is rotatably supported on the strut and includes a cutting edge and outer bores angularly spaced about the knife. The cutting edge includes a first portion positioned across the tissue gap. The stop member is received in one of the outer bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position, and the indexing member is rotatably positioned on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position. The indexing member is engaged with the knife and movable from the first position to the second position to rotate the knife to position a second portion of the cutting edge of the knife across the tissue gap.

[0009] Still other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a drive assembly including a drive beam and a working member assembly. The drive beam has a distal end coupled to the working member assembly, and the working member assembly includes a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member. The clamp member includes a first beam, a second beam, and a strut that connects the first beam to the second beam and includes a stop member. The first beam is positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam is positioned to engage the cartridge assembly. The circular knife is rotatably supported on the strut and includes a cutting edge and outer bores angularly spaced about the knife. The stop member is received in one of the outer bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position, and the indexing member is rotatably positioned on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position. The indexing member is engaged with the knife and is movable from the first position to the second position to rotate the knife a predetermined angular distance. [0010] In aspects of the disclosure, the knife defines a central through bore and the strut supports a circular hub that is received within the central through bore of the knife to rotatably support the knife on the strut.

[0011] In aspects of the disclosure, the indexing member includes a cylindrical hub portion that receives the circular hub to rotatably support the indexing member on the strut.

[0012] In some aspects of the disclosure, the knife is sandwiched between the strut and the indexing member.

[0013] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the stop member is configured to prevent rotation of the knife in a first direction and permit rotation of the knife in a second opposite direction.

[0014] In aspects of the disclosure, the indexing member includes a protrusion that is received in one of the outer bores of the knife, and the protrusion is configured to rotate the knife in the second direction when the indexing member moves from the first position to the second position.

[0015] In some aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion is configured to move from the one of the outer bores of the knife into an adjacent one of the outer bores when the indexing member moves from the second position to the first position.

[0016] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the drive assembly is movable from a drive retracted position to a drive clamped position to move the tool assembly from the open position to the clamped position, and movable from the drive clamped position to a drive advanced position to advance the actuation sled from the sled retracted position to the sled advanced position.

[0017] In aspects of the disclosure, the indexing member includes a distal extension that is positioned to engage the actuation sled when the drive assembly is moved to the drive clamped position to move the indexing member from the second position to the first position.

[0018] In some aspects of the disclosure, a mounting assembly secured to proximal portions of the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

[0019] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the indexing member includes a proximal extension that is positioned to engage the mounting assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive advanced position to the drive retracted position to move the indexing member from the first position to the second position. [0020] In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly includes a channel member having side walls and a bottom wall that together define a cavity, and the staple cartridge is releasably received within the cavity of the channel member.

[0021] In some aspects of the disclosure, the bottom wall of the channel member defines a slot that is aligned with the distal extension of the indexing member when the drive assembly is in the drive clamped position.

[0022] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the slot is configured to receive an indexing tool that is insertable into the slot to move the indexing member from the first position to the second position.

[0023] In aspects of the disclosure, the strut supports a guide member and the indexing member defines a curved guide slot that receives the guide member to guide the indexing member as the indexing member moves between the first position and the second position.

[0024] Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device according to aspects of the disclosure with a tool assembly of the stapling device in an open position;

[0027] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of the tool assembly, mounting assembly, and drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with parts separated;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side perspective, exploded view of the mounting assembly and the drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0029] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the mounting assembly and the distal portion of the drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a working member of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a knife of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the working member and the knife of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 2 with the knife supported on the working member; [0034] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an indexing member of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the knife and the indexing member of the drive assembly shown in FIG. 2 in an assembled state;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in the open position and the drive assembly in a drive retracted position prior to firing of the stapling device;

[0037] FIG. 10A a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in the partially clamped position as the drive assembly moves from the drive retracted position towards the drive clamped position;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in a clamped position and the drive assembly in the drive clamped, pre-fired position;

[0039] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

[0040] FIG. 13 a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in a clamped position as the drive assembly moves from the drive clamped position towards the drive advanced position;

[0041] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the tool assembly in an open position and the drive assembly in the drive retracted position after the stapling device has been fired;

[0042] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of an alternative version of the indexing plate of the drive assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0043] FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of an indexing tool associated with the indexing plate shown in FIG. 15;

[0044] FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 and the indexing tool shown in Fig. 16 in spaced relation to each other;

[0045] FIG. 17A is a side perspective view of the tool assembly and the indexing tool shown in Fig. 17 with the indexing tool engaged with the tool assembly; and

[0046] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18 of FIG. 17A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0047] The disclosed surgical stapling device 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 disclosed aspects of the surgical stapling device 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.

[0048] In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician during use of the device in its customary fashion, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician during use of the device in its customary fashion. Directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure. In addition, the term “indexing” means moving the knife to expose a different portion of a cutting edge of a knife to tissue. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and support personnel.

[0049] The disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device that includes a cartridge assembly having a replaceable staple cartridge, and a drive assembly that includes a working member that supports a knife having a cutting edge. The drive assembly supports an indexing member that is engaged with the knife and is movable to index the knife to expose a different portion of the cutting edge of the knife to tissue.

[0050] FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 that includes a handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14, and a tool assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is powered and includes a housing 18 that forms a stationary handgrip 18 and supports actuation buttons 20. The actuation buttons 20 are operable to actuate various functions of the tool assembly 16 via the adapter assembly 14, i.e., approximation of the tool assembly 16, and stapling and cutting of tissue. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 includes one or more motors (not shown), and batteries (not shown) that provide power to the handle assembly 12 via a motor controller (not shown) to operate the stapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as a powered stapling device, it is envisioned that tool assembly 16 described herein is suitable for use with manually powered surgical stapling devices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices.

[0051] The adapter assembly 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14a and a distal portion 14b. The proximal portion 14a of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the handle assembly 12, and the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 supports the tool assembly 16. In aspects of the disclosure, the proximal portion 14a of the adapter assembly 14 is coupled to the handle assembly 12 by a rotation knob 22 that is rotatably coupled to the housing 18 of the handle assembly 12. The rotation knob 22 is rotatably supported on the housing 18 of the handle assembly 12 and can be manually rotated to rotate the adapter assembly 14 and the tool assembly 16 about the longitudinal axis “X”.

[0052] The tool assembly 16 is coupled to the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 by a mounting assembly 24 (FIG. 2) that is pivotably secured to the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 by pivot members (not shown) that define an articulation axis “Y (FIG. 1). In aspects of the disclosure, the rotation knob 22 supports an articulation lever 26 that can be operated to pivot the tool assembly 16 in relation to the adapter assembly 14 about the articulation axis “Y”. The mounting assembly 24 (FIG. 2) supports the tool assembly 16 and includes a first mounting member 26 and a second mounting member 28 that is fixedly coupled to the first mounting member 26 by screws (not shown) to define a centrally located channel 29 that extends longitudinally through the mounting assembly 24. Each of the first mounting member 26 and the second mounting member 28 includes a proximal extension 30 (FIG. 2) that defines an opening 32 that receives pivot members (not shown) to pivotably couple the mounting assembly 24 (and the tool assembly 16) to the distal portion 14b of the adapter assembly 14 about the articulation axis “Y”. The mounting assembly 24 defines a distal face 24a (FIG. 2).

[0053] The tool assembly 16 includes an anvil 32 and a cartridge assembly 34. In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly 34 is pivotably coupled to the anvil 32 and to the mounting assembly 24 by pivot members 33. The anvil 32 is fixedly supported on the mounting assembly 24 such that the cartridge assembly 34 is pivotable in relation to the anvil 32 between the open position (FIG. 1) and the clamped position (FIG. 10A). It is envisioned that the cartridge assembly 34 could be fixedly supported on the mounting assembly 24 and the anvil 32 could be pivotably supported on the mounting assembly 24 such that the anvil 32 pivots in relation to the cartridge assembly 34.

[0054] FIGS. 1A illustrates the cartridge assembly 34 which includes a channel member 36 and a staple cartridge 38. The channel member 36 includes side walls 40 and a bottom wall 42 that together define a cavity 44, and the staple cartridge 38 is removably received within the cavity 44 of the channel member 36 and replaceable to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. The bottom wall 38 of the channel member 34 has a proximal portion that defines an outer ramp surface 36a (FIG. 11). The staple cartridge 38 includes a cartridge body 46 that defines a knife slot 48 and staple receiving pockets 50 positioned on each side of the knife slot 48. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple receiving pockets 50 are aligned in two or more rows on opposite sides of the knife slot 48. The staple cartridge 38 also includes staples 51a, pushers 51b, and an actuation sled 52 having angled cam surfaces 54. The staples 51a and the pushers 51b are received within the staple receiving pockets 50 of the cartridge body 46 and the actuation sled 52 is movable through the cartridge body 46 from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to lift the pushers 51b within the staple receiving pockets 50 and eject the staples 51a from the cartridge body 46.

[0055] FIGS. 1A-4 illustrate a distal portion of a drive assembly 60 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The drive assembly 60 includes a flexible beam 62 and a working member assembly 64. The flexible beam 62 can be formed from laminated sheets 63 and has a proximal portion (not shown) that is coupled to a drive member (not shown) of the adapter assembly 14 (FIG. 1) and a distal portion 62a that is secured to the working member assembly 64. In aspects of the disclosure, the flexible beam 62 is secured to the working member assembly 64 by welding although other fastening techniques and devices are envisioned.

[0056] The working member assembly 64 includes a clamp member 68, a knife 70, and an indexing member 72. The clamp member 68 has an I-beam configuration and includes a first beam 74, a second beam 76, and a strut 78 that connects the first beam 74 to the second beam 76. The first beam 74 and the second beam 76 extend transversely outwardly from both sides of the strut 78 and are positioned to engage the anvil 32 and the cartridge assembly 34 as the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is clamped and fired to prevent outward movement of the cartridge assembly 34 in relation to the anvil 32 beyond a predetermined distance to set a predetermined tissue gap between the anvil 32 and the cartridge assembly 34. The drive assembly 60 is movable from a drive retracted position (FIG. 10), through a drive clamped position (FIG. 11), to a drive advanced position to move the tool assembly 16 (FIG. 1) from the open position to the clamped position and to subsequently advance the actuation sled 52 through the cartridge body 46 to eject the staples 56 from the cartridge body 46 into the anvil 32.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates the strut 78 of the clamp member 68 which includes a distal end 80, a first side 82 that defines a circular cavity 84, a circular hub 86 centrally located within the circular cavity 84, a stop member 88 positioned within the circular cavity 84, and a guide member 89. The stop member 88 has a first curved or angled side 88a (FIG. 5) and a second side 88b that defines a plane that is substantially perpendicular to first side 82 of the clamp member 68. The strut 78 defines a cutout 78a (FIG. 5) that exposes a portion of the knife 70 on the distal end 80 of the clamp member 68 to tissue clamped between the anvil 32 and the staple cartridge 38.

[0058] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the knife 70 which is disc-shaped or circular and includes a central through bore 90, an outer circular cutting edge 92, and outer bores 94 that are positioned outwardly of the central through bore 90 between the central through bore 90 and the cutting edge 92 and are angularly spaced about the knife 70. The circular hub 86 of the clamp member 68 is received within the through bore 90 of the knife 70 such that the knife 70 is rotatably supported within the circular cavity 84 of the clamp member 68. When the knife 70 is received within the circular cavity 84 of the clamp member 68, the stop member 88 of the strut 78 is received within one of the outer bores 94. The stop member 88 is configured as described above to allow rotation of the knife 70 within the circular cavity 84 of the clamp member 68 in a first direction, e.g., a counterclockwise direction, but prevent rotation of the knife 70 in a second direction, e.g., a clockwise direction. In aspects of the disclosure, the cutting edge 92 extends entirely about the knife 70. Alternately, the cutting edge 92 can extend about a smaller angular portion of the knife 70, e.g., 270 degrees.

[0059] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the indexing member 72 which includes a cylindrical or semi- cylindrical hub portion 96, a proximal extension 98 positioned outwardly of the cylindrical hub portion 96, and a distal extension 100 positioned outwardly of the cylindrical hub portion 96. In aspects of the disclosure, the distal extension 100 includes an L-shaped abutment member 100a. The indexing member 72 also defines a curved guide slot 102 positioned between the distal extension 100 and the proximal extension 98. The cylindrical hub portion 96 extends through the central through bore 90 of the knife 70 and receives the circular hub 86 of the clamp member 68 such that the knife 70 is sandwiched between strut 78 of the clamp member 68 and the indexing member 72. The indexing member 72 and the knife 70 are rotatably supported on the circular hub 86 of the clamp member 68, and the indexing member 72 is rotatable in relation to the knife 70 about the circular hub 86. When the knife 70 and the indexing member 72 are supported on the circular hub 86 of the clamp member 68, the guide member 89 of the clamp member 68 is received within the curved guide slot 102 of the indexing member 72 such that the indexing member 72 can rotate about the circular hub 86 of the clamp member 68 between a first position in which the guide member 89 is engaged with a first end of the curved guide slot 102 and a second position in which the guide member 89 is engaged with a second end of the curved guide slot 102.

[0060] The indexing member 72 includes a protrusion 106 that is received within one of the outer bores 94 of the knife 70 when the knife 70 and the indexing member 72 are supported on the clamp member 68. The protrusion 72 is configured to rotate the knife 70 within the cavity 84 of the clamp member 68 when the indexing member 72 moves from the first position to the second position and to pass from within one of the outer bores 94 of the knife 70 into an adjacent outer bore 94 of the knife 70 when the indexing member 72 moves from the second position to the first position. In aspects of the disclosure, the protrusion 106 of the indexing member 72 has a first side 106a that extends transversely from the indexing member 72 and a second side 106b. [0061] FIGS. 10-11 illustrate the tool assembly 16 as the drive assembly 60 moves from the drive retracted position towards the drive clamped position to move the tool assembly 16 from the open position to the clamped position. When the drive assembly 60 moves from the drive retracted position towards the drive clamped position in the direction indicated by arrows “A” in FIGS. 10 A and 11, the working member assembly 64 of the drive assembly 60 moves in relation to the tool assembly 16 such that the second beam 76 of the clamp member 68 engages the outer ramp surface 36a of the channel member 36 to pivot the cartridge assembly 34 towards the clamped position in the direction indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 10A. As the clamp member 68 of the working member assembly 64 moves towards the actuation sled 52 within the cartridge body 46 of the staple cartridge 38, the abutment member 100a on the distal extension 100 of the indexing member 72 engages the actuation sled 52 as the drive assembly 60 moves towards the drive clamped position such that the indexing member 72 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 11 from the second position of the indexing member 72 to the first position of the indexing member 72. When the indexing member 72 moves from the first position to the second position, the stop member 88 of the clamp member 68 prevents clockwise rotation of the knife 70 such that the protrusion 106 of the indexing member 72 moves in a clockwise direction from one of the outer bores 94a of the knife 70 into an adjacent one of the through bores 94b of the knife 70.

[0062] FIG. 13 illustrates the tool assembly 16 and the drive assembly 60 as the drive assembly 60 moves from the drive clamped position towards the drive advanced position. When the drive assembly 60 moves from the drive clamped position towards the drive advanced position in the direction indicated by arrow “D”, the distal end 80 of the clamp member 68 of the working member assembly 64 engages the actuation sled 52 to move the actuation sled 52 from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position to eject the staples 51a (FIG. 1A) from the cartridge body 46 of the staple cartridge 38 into the anvil 32 and to cut tissue clamped between the staple cartridge 38 and the anvil 32.

[0063] FIG. 14 illustrates the tool assembly 16 and the drive assembly 60 as the drive assembly 60 moves in the direction indicated by arrows “E” from the drive advanced position to the drive retracted position. When the drive assembly 60 moves towards the drive retracted position, the proximal extension 98 of the indexing member 72 engages the distal face 24a of the mounting assembly 24 such that continued retraction of the drive assembly 60 causes the indexing member 72 to rotate in the direction of arrow “F”. As the indexing member 72 rotates in the direction of arrow “F”, the knife 70 is driven by the protrusion 106 in a counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow “G” such that a new portion of the circular cutting edge 92 of the knife 70 is exposed through the cutout 78a (FIG. 5) of the clamp member 68.

[0064] When a new staple cartridge 38 is positioned in the channel 36 of the cartridge assembly 34, the process described above repeats itself such that prior to each firing of the stapling device 10, a new portion of the circular cutting edge 92 is exposed to cut tissue. In aspects of the disclosure, the knife 70 includes twelve outer bores 94 such that each rotation of the knife 70 covers an arc of about 30 degrees. When the circular cutting edge 92 of the knife 70 extends entirely around the knife 70, the stapling device 10 can be fired 12 times with knife 70 having a fresh cutting edge 92. It is envisioned that the knife 70 could be configured to provide fewer or more firings. [0065] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate an alternative version of the indexing member 72 (FIG. 8) of the working member assembly 64 (FIG. 1A) of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) shown generally as indexing member 172. The indexing member 172 is like the indexing member 72 (FIG. 8) except that it does not include the proximal extension 98 (FIG. 2), and thus does not automatically index the knife 170 upon movement of the drive assembly 160 to the drive retracted position. Thus, the indexing member 172 functions identically to the indexing member 72 in all respects except that it must be manually indexed when a new staple cartridge 138 is loaded into the channel member 136 of the cartridge assembly 134.

[0066] To accommodate manual indexing of the knife 170 of the working member assembly 164 of the drive assembly 160, the channel member 136 of the cartridge assembly 134 has a proximal portion that defines a longitudinal slot 210 (FIG. 17) that is positioned below or in alignment with the abutment member 200a on the distal portion 200 of the indexing member 172 when the drive assembly 160 is in the drive clamped position. When the drive assembly 160 is in the drive clamped position, an insertion tool 220 (FIG. 17) can be inserted through the longitudinal slot 210 in the channel member 136 in the direction indicated by arrow “H” in FIG. 18 into engagement with the abutment member 200a of the indexing member 172 to pivot the indexing member 172 in a counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow “I” in FIG. 18. When the indexing member 172 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow “I”, the knife 170 (FIG. 18) rotates as described above to expose a fresh portion of the cutting edge 192 of the knife 170.

[0067] In aspects of the disclosure, the insertion tool 220 (FIG. 17) can be in the form of a shipping wedge 222 that is removed from the staple cartridge 138 prior to loading the staple cartridge 138 into the channel member 136 of the cartridge assembly 134. The shipping wedge 222 can include a cover plate 224, resilient hooks 226, gripping members 228, and an indexing finger 230. The resilient hooks 226 extend from one side of the cover plate 224 and allow the shipping wedge 222 to be coupled to the staple cartridge 138 with the cover plate 224 positioned on the staple cartridge 138 to prevent staples and pushers from falling from the staple cartridge during shipping and handling. The gripping members 228 are positioned on opposite sides of the cover plate 224 to allow the shipping wedge 222 to be manipulated during placement and removal of the shipping wedge 222 to and from the staple cartridge 138. The indexing finger 230 of the shipping wedge 222 is centrally located on the cover plate 224 and extends from the cover plate 224 in a direction opposite to the resilient hooks 226. [0068] After the shipping wedge 222 is removed from the staple cartridge 138 and the staple cartridge 138 is loaded into the channel member 136, the tool assembly 116 must be moved to the clamped position by moving the drive assembly 160 to the drive clamped position. When the drive assembly 160 is moved to the drive clamped position, the shipping wedge 222 can be inverted and attached to the channel member 136 of the cartridge assembly 134 by inserting the indexing finger 230 of the shipping wedge 222 into the longitudinal slot 210 of the channel member 136. As described above, when the indexing finger 230 is inserted into the longitudinal slot 210 of the channel member 136, the indexing finger 230 engages the abutment member 200a of the indexing member 172 to rotate the knife 170 as described above.

[0069] 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 disclosure. Also, 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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A stapling device comprising: a tool assembly including: an anvil; and a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled, the cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot, the actuation sled movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the anvil and the staple cartridge defining a tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; and a drive assembly including a drive beam and a working member assembly, the drive beam having a distal end coupled to the working member assembly, the working member assembly including a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member, the clamp member including a first beam, a second beam, and a strut that connects the first beam to the second beam, the strut having a stop member, the first beam positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam positioned to engage the cartridge assembly, the circular knife rotatably supported on the strut and including a cutting edge and outer bores angularly spaced about the knife, the cutting edge having a first portion positioned across the tissue gap, the stop member received in one of the outer bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position, the indexing member rotatably positioned on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position, the indexing member engaged with the knife and movable from the first position to the second position to rotate the knife to position a second portion of the cutting edge across the tissue gap.

2. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the knife defines a central through bore and the strut supports a circular hub that is received within the central through bore of the knife to rotatably support the knife on the strut.

3. The stapling device of claim 2, wherein the indexing member includes a cylindrical hub portion that receives the circular hub to rotatably support the indexing member on the strut.

4. The stapling device of claim 3, wherein the knife is sandwiched between the strut and the indexing member.

5. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the stop member is configured to prevent rotation of the knife in a first direction and permit rotation of the knife in a second opposite direction.

6. The stapling device of claim 5, wherein the indexing member includes a protrusion that is received in one of the outer bores of the knife, the protrusion configured to rotate the knife in the second direction when the indexing member moves from the first position to the second position.

7. The stapling device of claim 6, wherein the protrusion is configured to move from the one of the outer bores of the knife into an adjacent one of the through bores when the indexing member moves from the second position to the first position.

8. The stapling device of claim 7, wherein the drive assembly is movable from a drive retracted position to a drive clamped position to move the tool assembly from the open position to the clamped position, and movable from the drive clamped position to a drive advanced position to advance the actuation sled from the sled retracted position to the sled advanced position.

9. The stapling device of claim 8, wherein the indexing member includes a distal extension that is positioned to engage the actuation sled when the drive assembly is moved to the drive clamped position to move the indexing member from the second position to the first position.

10. The stapling device of claim 9, further including a mounting assembly secured to proximal portions of the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

11. The stapling device of claim 10, wherein the indexing member includes a proximal extension that is positioned to engage the mounting assembly when the drive assembly is moved from the drive advanced position to the drive retracted position to move the indexing member from the first position to the second position.

12. The stapling device of claim 9, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a channel member having side walls and a bottom wall that together define a cavity, the staple cartridge releasably received within the cavity of the channel member.

13. The stapling device of claim 12, wherein the bottom wall of the channel member defines a slot that is aligned with the distal extension of the indexing member when the drive assembly is in the drive clamped position.

14. The stapling device of claim 13, wherein the slot is configured to receive an indexing tool that is insertable into the slot to move the indexing member from the first position to the second position.

15. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the strut supports a guide member and the indexing member defines a curved guide slot that receives the guide member to guide the indexing member as the indexing member moves between the first position and the second position.

16. A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly; an adapter assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion coupled to the handle assembly; a tool assembly coupled to the distal portion of the adapter assembly, the tool assembly including: an anvil; and a cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a cartridge body, staples, and an actuation sled, the cartridge body defining a knife slot and staple receiving pockets positioned on each side of the knife slot, the actuation sled movable from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the cartridge body, the anvil and the staple cartridge defining a tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; and a drive assembly including a drive beam and a working member assembly, the drive beam having a distal end coupled to the working member assembly, the working member assembly including a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member, the clamp member including a first beam, a second beam, and a strut that connects the first beam to the second beam, the strut having a stop member, the first beam positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam positioned to engage the cartridge assembly, the circular knife rotatably supported on the strut and including a cutting edge and outer bores angularly spaced about the knife, a first portion of the cutting edge positioned across the tissue gap, the stop member received in one of the outer bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position, the indexing member rotatably positioned on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position, the indexing member engaged with the knife and movable from the first position to the second position to rotate the knife to position a second portion of the cutting edge across the tissue gap.

17. The surgical stapling device of claim 16, further including a mounting assembly secured to proximal portions of the anvil and the cartridge assembly, the mounting assembly pivotably coupled to the adapter assembly about an articulation axis such that the tool assembly is pivotable about the articulation axis.

18. The surgical stapling device of claim 17, wherein the knife defines a central through bore and the strut supports a circular hub that is received within the central through bore of the knife to rotatably support the knife on the strut, and the indexing member includes a cylindrical hub portion that receives the circular hub to rotatably support the indexing member on the strut.

19. The surgical stapling device of claim 18, wherein the stop member is configured to prevent rotation of the knife in a first direction and permit rotation of the knife in a second opposite direction, and the indexing member includes a protrusion that is received in one of the outer bores of the knife and is configured to rotate the knife in the second direction when the indexing member moves from the first position to the second position and configured to move from the one of the outer bores of the knife into an adjacent one of the through bores when the indexing member moves from the second position to the first position.

20. A drive assembly comprising: a drive beam and a working member assembly, the drive beam having a distal end coupled to the working member assembly, the working member assembly including a clamp member, a circular knife, and an indexing member, the clamp member including a first beam, a second beam, and a strut that connects the first beam to the second beam, the strut having a stop member, the first beam positioned to engage the anvil and the second beam positioned to engage the cartridge assembly, the circular knife rotatably supported on the strut and including a cutting edge and outer bores angularly spaced about the knife, the stop member received in one of the outer bores to releasably retain the knife in a fixed position, the indexing member rotatably positioned on the strut for movement between a first position and a second position, the indexing member engaged with the knife and movable from the first position to the second position to rotate the knife a predetermined angular distance.