Dissecting tip for surgical stapler

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical device comprising:
 an elongate body having a distal portion; and   an end effector pivotally secured to the distal portion of the elongate body, the end effector including,
 a first jaw member including a tissue contacting surface, a top surface, and a distal end; 
 a second jaw member including a tissue contacting surface, a bottom surface, and a distal end, the first and second jaw members being pivotal relative to one another between an open position and an approximated position, the tissue contacting surface of the first jaw member being positioned adjacent the tissue contacting surface of the second member when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position; and 
 a tapered tip disposed on the distal end of the first jaw member, when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position, the tapered tip extending downwardly toward the second jaw member, the tapered tip being arranged so that it does not extend below a plane defined by the bottom surface of the second jaw. 
   
     
     
         3 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the tapered tip is positioned inwardly of the sidewalls of the second jaw member. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the tapered tip has a width that continuously decreases along a length of the tapered tip. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the end effector forms part of a disposable loading unit. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical device according to  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the second jaw member includes an angled surface that is positioned in spaced relation to the tapered tip to define a space between the tapered tip and the angled surface. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the approximated position, the tissue contacting surface of the first jaw member and the tissue contacting surface of the second jaw member define a first gap measuring a first distance and an inner surface of the tapered tip and the angled surface of the second jaw member define a second gap measuring a second distance, the second distance being at least the same as or greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the tapered tip and the first jaw member define a longitudinal axis, an angle between the longitudinal axis of the tapered tip and the longitudinal axis of the first jaw member being from about 95 degrees to about 135 degrees relative. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the tapered tip has a blunt tip. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the width of the tapered tip decreases from a proximal portion of the tapered tip to a distal end of the tapered tip. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical device according to  claim 2 , wherein the tapered tip has a smooth, curved outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . A surgical device comprising:
 an elongate body having a distal portion; and   an end effector pivotally secured to the distal portion of the elongate body, the end effector including,
 a first jaw member including a tissue contacting surface, a top surface, and a distal end; 
 a second jaw member including a tissue contacting surface, a bottom surface, and a distal end, the first and second jaw members being pivotal relative to one another between an open position and an approximated position, the tissue contacting surface of the first jaw member being positioned adjacent the tissue contacting surface of the second member when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position; and 
 a tapered tip at the distal end of the first jaw member, when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position, the tapered tip extending downwardly toward the second jaw member to a location spaced from the distal end of the second jaw member, the tapered tip having a distal end that terminates at a location between a plane defined by the tissue contacting surface of the second jaw member and a plane defined by the bottom surface of the second jaw member. 
   
     
     
         13 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , the tapered tip being disposed inwardly of planes defined by sidewalls of the second jaw member. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the tapered tip includes a width that continuously decreases along a length of the tapered tip. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the end effector forms part of a disposable loading unit. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the distal end of the second jaw member includes an angled surface. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical device according to  claim 16 , wherein, when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the approximated position, the tissue contacting surface of the first jaw member and the tissue contacting surface of the second jaw member define a first gap measuring a first distance and an inner surface of the tapered tip and the angled surface of the second jaw member define a second gap measuring a second distance, the second distance being at least the same as or greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the tapered tip and the first jaw member define a longitudinal axis, an angle between the longitudinal axis of the tapered tip and the longitudinal axis of the first jaw member being from about 95 degrees to about 135 degrees relative. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the tapered tip has a blunt tip. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the width of the tapered tip decreases from a proximal portion of the tapered tip to a distal end of the tapered tip. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the tapered tip has a smooth and curved outer surface.