Surgical stapling device with dissecting tip

Abstract

A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of a surgical stapler, e.g., to the anvil assembly or cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical ligation instrument comprising:
 an anvil assembly having a tissue contacting surface;   a cartridge assembly pivotally movable in relation to the anvil assembly from an open position to a closed position; and   a dissecting tip extending from the anvil assembly and having a rounded blunt tip and smooth surfaces, the dissecting tip having an inner surface that is contiguous with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly, the inner surface of the dissecting tip extending downwardly toward the cartridge assembly, the dissecting tip having a width, a proximal end, and a distal end, the width decreasing from the proximal end to the distal end.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , further including an endoscopic portion, wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly form an end effector that is supported on and articulates with respect to the endoscopic portion. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner surface of the dissecting tip is spaced from the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge assembly defines a plurality of staple slots for receiving surgical staples. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 5 , further including a knife, wherein the cartridge assembly defines a slot that extends through the cartridge assembly for the passage of the knife. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , further including a handle assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , further including an endoscopic portion, wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are attached to the endoscopic portion. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , further including a proximal body portion, wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are attached to the proximal body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly form an end effector that is adapted to access a surgical site through a trocar cannula assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge assembly includes a bottom surface that defines a plane and the dissecting tip is positioned above the plane when the anvil and cartridge assemblies are in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical ligation instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the anvil assembly and dissecting tip are formed from a surgical grade metal. 
     
     
         13 . An end effector for a surgical ligation instrument, the end effector comprising:
 an anvil assembly having a tissue contacting surface;   a cartridge assembly pivotally movable in relation to the anvil assembly between open and closed positions; and   a dissecting tip extending from the anvil assembly and having a rounded tip and smooth inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being contiguous with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly, the dissecting tip extending downwardly toward the cartridge assembly, the dissecting tip having a thickness, a proximal end, and a distal end, the thickness of the dissecting tip decreasing from the proximal end to the distal end.   
     
     
         14 . The end effector according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner surface of the dissecting tip is spaced from the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly is in a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The end effector according to  claim 13 , wherein the cartridge assembly defines a plurality of staple slots for receiving surgical staples. 
     
     
         16 . The end effector according to  claim 15 , further including a knife, wherein the cartridge assembly defines a slot that extends through the cartridge assembly for the passage of the knife. 
     
     
         17 . The end effector according to  claim 13 , wherein the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are configured to access a surgical site through a trocar cannula assembly when the end effector is in a closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The end effector according to  claim 13 , wherein the cartridge assembly includes a bottom surface that defines a plane and the dissecting tip is positioned above the plane when the anvil and cartridge assemblies are in the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The end effector according to  claim 13 , wherein the anvil assembly and dissecting tip are formed from a surgical grade metal.