Surgical stapling device with a curved cutting member

Abstract

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a curved end-effector which is configured to deploy staples in at least one curved staple line. The surgical stapler can include a staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein, an anvil configured to deform the staples, and a cutting member having a cutting surface. The staple cartridge and/or anvil can include a curved slot configured for receiving and guiding the cutting member wherein at least a portion of the cutting member can be defined by a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the slot. In these embodiments, the curved cutting member can be easily moved within the curved slot thereby reducing the possibility that the cutting member will become stuck within the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
 a first jaw;   a second jaw moveable relative to said first jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw comprises a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of curved staple cavity rows; and   a cutting element structured to travel along a curved path between two curved staple cavity rows of said plurality of curved staple cavity rows, wherein said cutting element comprises:
 a proximal end; 
 a central axis extending distally from said proximal end; and 
 a distal end laterally offset from said central axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the curved path curves in a first direction, and wherein said distal end of said cutting element is laterally offset from said central axis in the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The end effector of  claim 2 , wherein said distal end comprises a pre-biased cutting edge, and wherein said pre-biased cutting edge is structured to lead said cutting element toward the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The end effector of  claim 2 , wherein said distal end comprises means for leading said cutting element in a predisposed direction, and wherein the predisposed direction corresponds to the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one curved staple cavity row extends along an arc defining a subtended angle, and wherein the subtended angle is greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said first jaw further comprises a first proximal portion, wherein said second jaw further comprises a second proximal portion, and wherein said end effector further comprises a hinge connecting said first proximal portion and said second proximal portion. 
     
     
         7 . The end effector of  claim 6 , wherein said second jaw is structured to pivot relative to said first jaw at said hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The end effector of  claim 6 , wherein said second jaw is structured to tilt relative to said first jaw at said hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The end effector of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities. 
     
     
         10 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
 a first jaw;   a second jaw moveable relative to said first jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw comprises a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of curved staple cavity rows; and   a cutting element structured to travel along a curved path between two curved staple cavity rows of said plurality of curved staple cavity rows, wherein said cutting element comprises:
 a cutting element body comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and 
 a cutting edge extending from said distal end, wherein said cutting edge is non-centered relative to said proximal end. 
   
     
     
         11 . The end effector of  claim 10 , wherein the curved path curves in a first direction, and wherein said cutting edge is pre-biased toward the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . The end effector of  claim 11 , wherein said distal end comprises means for leading said cutting element in a predisposed direction, and wherein the predisposed direction corresponds to the first direction. 
     
     
         13 . The end effector of  claim 10 , wherein at least one curved staple cavity row extends along an arc defining a subtended angle, and wherein the subtended angle is greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The end effector of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities. 
     
     
         15 . The end effector of  claim 14 , further comprising means for progressively deploying said staples from said staple cavities. 
     
     
         16 . An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
 a first jaw;   a second jaw moveable relative to said first jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw comprises a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of curved staple cavity rows; and   a cutting element structured to travel along a curved path between two curved staple cavity rows of said plurality of curved staple cavity rows, wherein said cutting element comprises:
 a proximal end; 
 a longitudinal axis extending distally from said proximal end, wherein said cutting element is asymmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         17 . The end effector of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities. 
     
     
         18 . The end effector of  claim 17 , further comprising a sled structured to move said cutting element along the curved path, wherein said sled is structured to progressively deploy said staples from said staple cavities. 
     
     
         19 . The end effector of  claim 16 , wherein the curved path curves in a first direction, and wherein said cutting element is predisposed to move in the first direction. 
     
     
         20 . The end effector of  claim 16 , wherein at least one curved staple cavity row extends along an arc defining a subtended angle, and wherein the subtended angle is greater than 90 degrees.