WO2024187342A1

WO2024187342A1 - Surgical stapling apparatus with pivotable cam inserts, break-away trigger, and tissue gripping structure

Info

Publication number: WO2024187342A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/081089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tingting JIN; Gainan SUN
Original assignee: Covidien Lp
Priority date: 2023-03-13
Filing date: 2023-03-13
Publication date: 2024-09-19

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus (10) includes a body (12), an anvil assembly (22) defining an alignment hole (22b), a cartridge assembly (20), an alignment pin (54) supported by the cartridge assembly (20), and a trigger (16) coupled to the body (12) to cause movement between the anvil assembly (22) and the cartridge assembly(20). The alignment pin (54) is receivable within the alignment hole (22b) when the alignment pin (54) is aligned with the alignment hole (22b). The trigger (16) is configured to break for decoupling the trigger (16) from the body (12) when the alignment pin (54) is misaligned with the alignment hole (22b) and a predetermined force is applied to the trigger (16). A pivotable cam assembly (60) including a pivotable cam (61) and a cam slot insert (65) is operatively coupled to the trigger (16) to cause the alignment pin (54) to translate. In aspects, the anvil assembly (22) includes an anvil plate (22a) with tissue grippers (200).

Description

SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS WITH PIVOTABLE CAM INSERTS, BREAK-AWAY TRIGGER, AND TISSUE GRIPPING STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to surgical stapling apparatus and, more particularly, to surgical stapling apparatus with alignment pin assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling apparatus for applying rows of staples through compressed living tissue are commonly used for closure of tissue or organs prior to transection or resection of the tissue or organs and for occlusion of organs during thoracic or abdominal procedures. Typically, stapling apparatus include an end effector that may have one of a variety of configurations including linear, curved, and circular. The end effector may also have one of a variety of different orientations with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stapling apparatus including aligned or transverse.

In transverse type stapling apparatus that have curved end effectors, the end effector includes an anvil assembly that is secured to a frame of the stapling apparatus and a cartridge assembly that is supported on a clamp assembly of the stapling apparatus. The clamp assembly is movable within the frame of the stapling apparatus to move the cartridge assembly towards the anvil assembly along the frame from an open position to a clamped position. An alignment pin assembly is supported in the cartridge assembly and is movable into engagement with the anvil assembly to facilitate alignment of the anvil and cartridge assemblies.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling apparatus having an end effector including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole. The surgical stapling apparatus further includes an alignment pin, a clamp assembly, a pivotable cam assembly, and a trigger. The alignment pin is supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole as the end effector moves from an unclamped position to a clamped position. The clamp assembly defines a cam slot and is positioned to move the end effector from the unclamped position to the clamped position. The pivotable cam assembly includes a pivotable cam and a cam slot insert received within the pivotable cam. The trigger is actuatable to move the clamp assembly and enable the cam slot insert to cam through the cam slot as the pivotable cam pivots relative to the clamp assembly so that the alignment pin translates toward the anvil alignment hole for aligning the anvil and cartridge assemblies relative to one another.

In aspects, the surgical stapling apparatus may further include a body that supports the clamp assembly and the pivotable cam. The trigger may be pivotably coupled to the body. A link assembly may be coupled to the clamp assembly. The trigger may be selectively engageable with the link assembly to cause the clamp assembly to distally advance.

In aspects, the trigger may include at least one cutout defined in an upper end portion of the trigger. When the end effector moves from the unclamped position to the clamped position, and when the alignment pin and the alignment pin hole are misaligned, the trigger may be configured to break. The trigger may be configured to break at a location on the trigger adjacent to the at least one cutout when the alignment pin is engaged with a surface of the anvil assembly adjacent to the anvil alignment hole and a force is imparted on the trigger that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In aspects, the anvil assembly may include anvil pockets for forming staples dispensed from staple slots within the cartridge assembly. A plurality of tissue grippers may be supported between the anvil pockets. The tissue grippers may extend from the anvil plate toward the cartridge assembly.

In aspects, the pivotable cam may include a first plate and a second plate that is spaced from the first plate. The first plate may define a first insert opening and the second plate may define a second insert opening aligned with the first insert opening. The cam slot insert may be received within the first and second insert openings.

In aspects, the cam slot insert may include an outer flange and a cam arm extending from the outer flange. The outer flange may be received within an insert recess defined in the pivotable cam to prevent the cam slot insert from rotating relative to the pivotable cam.

According to another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling apparatus including a body, an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole, a cartridge assembly, an alignment pin, and a trigger. The alignment pin is supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole. The trigger is pivotably coupled to the body to cause relative movement between the anvil and cartridge assemblies between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The trigger is further configured to cause the alignment pin to translate toward the anvil alignment hole for aligning the anvil and cartridge assemblies relative to one another as the anvil and cartridge assemblies move between the unclamped and clamped positions. The trigger defines at least one cutout and includes a stem disposed adjacent to the at least one cutout. The stem couples an upper end portion of the trigger to the body. The stem is configured to break for decoupling the trigger from the body when the alignment pin is misaligned with the anvil alignment hole and a predetermined force is applied to the trigger.

In aspects, the surgical stapling apparatus may further include a pivotable cam assembly supported by the body. The pivotable cam assembly may include a pivotable cam that pivots relative to the body in response to the trigger pivoting relative to the body. The pivotable cam may be engageable with an alignment pusher that moves the alignment pin relative to the cartridge and anvil assemblies. The pivotable cam may define at least one insert opening, and the pivotable cam assembly may further include at least one cam slot insert received within the at least one opening. The at least one cam slot insert may include metallic material.

In aspects, the at least one cam slot insert may include a first cam slot insert and a second cam slot insert, and wherein the at least one cam slot may include a first insert opening and a second insert opening disposed on opposite sides of the pivotable cam.

In aspects, the at least one cam slot insert may include a first cam arm and a second cam arm that are coupled together by a bridge, the first and second cam arms may define a slot adjacent to the bridge.

According to yet another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling apparatus including a body, an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole, a cartridge assembly, an alignment pin, and a trigger. The alignment pin is supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole. The trigger is pivotably coupled to the body to cause relative movement between the anvil and cartridge assemblies between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The trigger is configured to break for decoupling the trigger from the body when the alignment pin is misaligned with the anvil alignment hole and a predetermined force is applied to the trigger.

In aspects, the surgical stapling apparatus may further include a pivotable cam assembly including a pivotable cam and at least one cam slot insert received within the pivotable cam. The pivotable cam may be engageable with an alignment pusher to drive the alignment pin relative to the anvil and cartridge assemblies as the at least one cam slot insert cams along at least one cam slot defined in a clamp assembly that moves the anvil and cartridge assemblies between the unclamped and clamped positions as the trigger pivots relative to the clamp assembly.

In aspects, the pivotable cam may include a first plate and a second plate that is spaced from the first plate. The at least one cam slot insert may be inserted through the first and second plates. The at least one cam slot insert may include a first cam slot insert and a second cam slot insert that is separate from the first cam slot insert.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will be apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling apparatus in accordance with the principles of this disclosure, portions of the surgical stapling apparatus shown with broken lines for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of an end effector of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions of the end effector shown with broken lines for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of a proximal end portion of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of various components of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of a pivotable cam assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. 5 with parts shown separated;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8-14 are progressive views illustrating components of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 1 being advanced as the surgical stapling apparatus moves from an initial position to a clamped position; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another pivotable cam assembly;

FIG. 16 is a view of FIG. 15 with parts shown separated; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of an anvil assembly of the end effector of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to a portion of a structure, or component thereof, that is closer to a user, and the term “distal” refers to a portion of the structure, or component thereof, that is farther from the user. Directional reference terms, such as “top, ” “bottom, ” “side, ” “upper, ” “lower, ” and the like, are used to ease description of the aspects and are not intended to have any limiting effect on the ultimate orientation of a structure or any part thereof. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and support personnel.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring this disclosure in unnecessary detail.

Surgical stapling apparatus, such as curved surgical stapling apparatus, can be utilized, for example, to simultaneously staple and transect a colon during a lower anterior resection (LAR) procedure to create a curved anastomosis.

With reference to FIGS. 1-14, a surgical stapling apparatus, shown generally as 10 in FIG. 1, includes a body 12 defining a central longitudinal axis “L” and having a stationary handle 14, a trigger 16 pivotably mounted to body 12 between an extended (initial) position (FIG. 1) and a retracted position (not explicitly shown) , and an elongated shaft assembly 18 that extends distally from body 12. Trigger 16 includes an elongated proximal cutout 16a and an elongated distal cutout 16b disposed adjacent to body 12 and on opposite sides of a stem 16c supported on an upper end portion of trigger 16. Distal cutout 16b may be disposed at an angle relative to proximal cutout 16a that enables trigger 16 to break when force exerted on trigger 16 exceeds a predetermined threshold (see FIG. 14) , for example, when an end effector 19 of surgical stapling apparatus 10 is not properly aligned during a clamping of surgical stapling apparatus 10. Elongated shaft assembly 18 includes a first frame 18a and a second frame 18b that are secured to body 12. Elongated shaft assembly 18 further includes a clamp assembly 18c, and a thrust bar 18d, that are positioned to axially translate relative to first and second frames 18a, 18b between proximal and distal positions in response to pivotal movement of trigger 16 relative to handle 14. End effector 19 is disposed on a distal end portion of elongated shaft assembly 18 and includes a cartridge assembly 20 having a cartridge plate 20a and an anvil assembly 22 having an anvil plate 22a. Cartridge assembly 20 supports staples (not shown) that form against anvil assembly 22 for fastening tissue clamped between the cartridge and anvil assemblies 20, 22 when surgical stapling apparatus 10 is fired. Elongated shaft assembly 18 further includes an alignment pin assembly 18e that is movable between proximal and distal positions to facilitate alignment between cartridge and anvil assemblies 20, 22.

Body 12 of surgical stapling apparatus 10 supports a release mechanism 24 having a release actuator 26 positioned on the proximal end of body 12, and link assembly 28 disposed within body 12. Link assembly 28 is pivotably coupled to release actuator 26 by an actuator connector pin 30 and a proximal end portion of clamp assembly 18c by a clamp connector pin 32. Link assembly 28 may be in the form of a bi-link assembly and includes a proximal link 28a and a distal link 28b that are pivotably coupled together by a pivot pin 28c. Link assembly 28 is movable between a retracted position (FIG. 3) and an extended position (not explicitly shown) to move clamp assembly 18c between unclamped (retracted) and clamped (extended) positions, respectively. In the clamped position, cartridge assembly 20 is disposed adjacent to anvil assembly 22, and in the unclamped position, cartridge assembly 20 is spaced from anvil assembly 22 (as shown in FIG. 1) . Release actuator 26 is depressible to pivot link assembly 28 from the extended position to the retracted position to enable cartridge assembly 20 to separate from anvil assembly 22 whereby cartridge assembly 20 moves proximally relative to anvil assembly 22 from a clamped position to an unclamped position.

For a detailed description of the above-noted structure and function, or structure and function of exemplary surgical stapling apparatus, one or more components of which may be included, or modified for use with the disclosed aspects, reference may be made to U.S. Patent No. 6,817,508, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Although described herein in connection with a transverse staplers (e.g., with curved end effectors) , it should be appreciated that principles of this disclosure are equally applicable to surgical stapling apparatus having other configurations such as, for example, laparoscopic staplers, open staplers, and end-to-end anastomosis staplers, each of which may house staples and/or surgical fasteners other than staples. Some of these types of staplers are described, for instance, in U.S. Patent Nos. 11,432,818; 8,256,656; 7,819,896; 7,128,253; 7,334,717; 5,964,394; and 5,915,616, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-7, alignment pin assembly 18e of surgical stapling apparatus 10 includes an alignment pusher 50, a pin coupler 52 that connects to a distal end of alignment pusher 50, and an alignment pin 54 that is supported in cartridge assembly 20. Alignment pin 54 is receivable through cartridge alignment hole 20b defined in cartridge plate 20a and an anvil alignment hole 22b defined in anvil plate 22a. Alignment pusher 50 includes a pair of spaced-apart arms 50a, 50b supported on a proximal end portion of alignment pusher 50 that are connected by a connecting flange 50c. Connecting flange 50c includes a cam hook 50d extending proximally from connecting flange 50c. Each of arms 50a, 50b includes a finger 50e extending laterally outward from a side surface of a respective one of the arms 50a, 50b for supporting knobs 50f that are manually actuatable to slide alignment pin assembly 18e between proximal and distal positions. An elongated shaft 50f is attached to, and extends distally from, connecting flange 50c. Elongated shaft 50f includes a hook 50g supported on a distal end portion of elongated shaft 50f that couples to pin coupler 52. Alignment pin assembly 18e further includes a spring 56 supported on alignment pin 54.

Pivotable cam assembly 60 of surgical stapling apparatus 10 includes pivotable cam 61 including a first plate 62 and a second plate 64 that are disposed in mirrored relationship. First and second plates 62, 64 are coupled together by a pin 66 on a lower end of pivotable cam 61 and an alignment rod 68 on an upper end of pivotable cam 61. First plate 62 defines a first insert opening 62a and a first insert recess 62b, and second plate 64 defines a second insert opening 64a and a second insert recess 64b that are configured to receive cam slot inserts 65 formed of a rigid material such as metal (e.g., 17-4PH metal) . First and second recesses 62b, 64b and first and second insert openings 62a, 64a are configured to prevent cam slot inserts 65 from rotating relative to pivotable cam 61. Pin 66 and alignment rod 68 extend between inner surfaces of first and second plates 62, 64. Pivotable cam assembly 60 is pivotably supported in body 12 by a pair of nubs 61 projecting from outer surfaces of first and second plates 62, 64 at a lower end of pivotable cam 60. Nubs 61 define a pivot axis “P” about which pivotable cam assembly 60 pivots. Alignment rod 68 has a cross-sectional profile including a curved surface 68a and a flat surface 68b. Alignment rod 68 is selectively engageable with cam hook 50d of alignment pusher 50. Each of first and second plates 62, 64 further includes a cam slot insert 65 extending inwardly from the respective inner surfaces of the first and second plates 62, 64. Each cam slot insert 65 includes an outer flange 65a, which may have an oblong shape that is larger than first and second insert openings 62a, 64a, and a cam arm 65b. Outer flange 65a of each cam slot insert 65 is receivable within a respective one of first insert recess 62b or second insert recess 64b to prevent rotation of the respect cam slot insert 65 relative to pivotable cam 61.

Cam arm 65b of cam slot insert 65 includes a flat bottom wall 65c, a rear wall 65d that is orthogonal to flat bottom wall 65c, a front wall 65e that is shorter than rear wall 65d, and a top wall 65f that connects front wall 65e to rear wall 65d. Top wall 65f couples to front and rear walls 65e, 65d by rounded edges 65g. First and second insert openings 62a, 64a, are keyed to correspond with cam arm 65b. Cam arms 65b may be interference-fit into first and second insert openings 62a, 64a, respectively, such that end faces 65h of cam arms 65b define a gap 67 between cam arms 65b for enabling a firing link 15 of trigger 16 to be received between arm arms 65b (see FIG. 11) .

Clamp assembly 18c of surgical stapling apparatus 10 includes a shaft assembly 70 having a proximal end portion 70a and a distal end portion 70b. Proximal end portion 70a defines a connector pin hole 72 for receiving clamp connector pin 32 and legs 74 depending from a bottom end of shaft assembly 70 adjacent, and distal to, connector pin hole 72. Each leg 74 defines a cam slot 76 on an outer side of each respective leg 74 (only one side being shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 in the interest of brevity) . Each cam slot insert 65 of pivotable cam assembly 60 is received within a respective one of cam slots 76 for slidably moving along the respective cam slot 76 as pivotable cam assembly 60 pivots relative to clamp assembly 18c. Each cam slot 76 has a vertical segment 76a and a horizontal segment 76b that are disposed in fluid communication with one another. Vertical segment 76a has an angled arrangement (e.g., an acute angle relative to a centerline “CL” extending longitudinally through shaft assembly 70) . Each vertical segment 76 of each cam slot 76 is partially defined by a driving surface 76c having a lower angled portion 76d and an upper portion 76e. Lower angled portion 76d is disposed at an acute angle relative to upper portion 76e, centerline “CL” of shaft assembly 70, and horizontal segment 76b. Upper portion 76e is transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to centerline “CL” of shaft assembly 70 and horizontal segment 76b. Each horizontal segment 76b of each cam slot 76 is partially defined by a cam surface 76f along which flat bottom wall 65c of cam slot insert 65 of pivotable cam assembly 60 slides. Cam slot 76 further includes a corner 76g that separates vertical and horizontal segments 76a, 76b of cam slot 76. Rear wall 65d of each cam slot insert 65 of pivotable cam assembly 60 facilitates vertical sliding movement of the respective cam slot insert 65 through the respective cam slot 76, particularly as cam slot insert 65 transitions over the corner 76g separating vertical and horizontal segments 76a, 76b of cam slot 76.

As best seen in FIGS. 8-14, when trigger 16 of surgical stapling apparatus 10 is actuated, as indicated by arrow “A” , trigger 16 engages link assembly 28 causing link assembly 28 to move to an extended position which drives clamp assembly 18c distally, as indicated by arrow “C” . As clamp assembly 18c moves distally, cam slot inserts 65 slide upwardly through vertical segments 76a of cam slots 76 so that rear walls 65d of cam slot inserts 65 slide along driving surfaces 76c and facilitate pivotal movement of pivotable cam assembly 60 about pivot axis “P” .

During rotation, alignment rod 68 pushes cam hook 50d of alignment pusher 50 to advance alignment pusher 50 in a distal direction for advancing alignment pin 54 toward anvil assembly 22. When alignment pin 54 is just about to insert into anvil assembly 22, also known as at “locking point” (e.g., a locking or pre-clamping position) , cam slot inserts 65 are engaged with upper portion 76e of driving surface 76c of clamp assembly 18c to provide robust driving force directly through a center of cam slot inserts 65, as indicated by arrow “B” (FIG. 13) . In a situation where alignment pin 54 is blocked, such as when alignment pin 54 is not properly aligned with anvil alignment hole 22b defined in anvil plate 22a (see FIG. 9) , cam slot insert 65 will remain engaged with upper portion 76e of driving surface 76c as seen in FIG. 13. If a clinician applies additional force on trigger 16 when alignment pin 54 is blocked, force throughout surgical stapling apparatus 10 will increase at all interfaces of surgical stapling apparatus 10 including, for example, at stem 16c of trigger 16, pivot pin 28c of link assembly 28, clamp connector pin 32, cam slot inserts 65 of pivotable cam assembly 60, alignment rod 68 of pivotable cam assembly 60, elongated shaft 50f of alignment pusher 50, and at alignment pin 54. When sufficient force is applied to all of these interfaces, stem 16c of trigger 16 provides the weakest interface so that stem 16c breaks causing trigger 16 to break away from body 12 as seen in FIG. 14, and indicated by arrow “X” . Accordingly, a clinician would, be prevented from clamping anvil and cartridge assemblies 22, 20 together, and would be prevented from firing surgical stapling apparatus 10, thereby reducing risk of patient damage. Such structure also advantageously facilitates proper alignment pin 54 deployment which benefits staple formation and anastomosis quality.

Turning now to FIGS. 15 and 16, another pivotable cam assembly, generally referred to as 160 includes a pivotable cam 161 that is similar to pivotable cam 61, and a unitary cam slot insert 165 that is secured to pivotable cam 161 via interference-fit through first and second insert openings 162a and 164a defined through pivotable cam 161. Cam slot 165 includes a first cam arm 165a and a second cam arm 165b that are coupled together by a bridge 165c. Cam slot 165 defines slot 165d that is configured to receive firing link 15. With this unitary cam slot insert 165, assembly of surgical stapling apparatus 10 is simplified.

As seen in FIG. 17, anvil and/or cartridge plates 22a, 20a can include tissue grippers 200 between staple pockets 22c and/or between staple slots 20c (FIG. 2) of cartridge plate 20a. for facilitating tissue grasping.

As can be appreciated, securement of any of the components of the presently disclosed apparatus can be effectuated using known securement techniques such welding, crimping, gluing, fastening, etc.

The various aspects disclosed herein may also be configured to work with robotic surgical systems and what is commonly referred to as “Telesurgery. ” Such systems employ various robotic elements to assist the clinician and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation) of surgical instrumentation. Various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed with a robotic surgical system to assist the clinician during the course of an operation or treatment. Such robotic systems may include remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical systems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating surgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively configurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.

The robotic surgical systems may be employed with one or more consoles that are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location. In this instance, one team of clinicians may prep the patient for surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with one or more of the instruments disclosed herein while another clinician (or group of clinicians) remotely controls the instruments via the robotic surgical system. As can be appreciated, a highly skilled clinician may perform multiple operations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote console which can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patient or a series of patients. For a detailed description of exemplary medical work stations and/or components thereof, reference may be made to U.S. Patent No. 8,828,023, and PCT Application Publication No. WO2016/025132, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the structures and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures are non-limiting exemplary aspects, and that the description, disclosure, and figures should be construed merely as exemplary of particular aspects. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Additionally, it is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary aspect may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and that such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, any combination of any of the presently disclosed elements and features is within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described.

Claims

A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

an end effector including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole;

an alignment pin supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole as the end effector moves from an unclamped position to a clamped position;

a clamp assembly defining a cam slot and positioned to move the end effector from the unclamped position to the clamped position;

a pivotable cam assembly including a pivotable cam and a cam slot insert received within the pivotable cam; and

a trigger actuatable to move the clamp assembly and enable the cam slot insert to cam through the cam slot as the pivotable cam pivots relative to the clamp assembly so that the alignment pin translates toward the anvil alignment hole for aligning the anvil and cartridge assemblies relative to one another.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a body that supports the clamp assembly and the pivotable cam, the trigger pivotably coupled to the body.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a link assembly coupled to the clamp assembly, the trigger selectively engageable with the link assembly to cause the clamp assembly to distally advance.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes at least one cutout defined in an upper end portion of the trigger.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 4, wherein when the end effector moves from the unclamped position to the clamped position, and when the alignment pin and the alignment pin hole are misaligned, the trigger is configured to break.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 5, wherein the trigger is configured to break at a location on the trigger adjacent to the at least one cutout when the alignment pin is engaged with a surface of the anvil assembly adjacent to the anvil alignment hole and a force is imparted on the trigger that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anvil assembly includes anvil pockets for forming staples dispensed from staple slots within the cartridge assembly.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of tissue grippers supported between the anvil pockets, the tissue grippers extending from the anvil plate toward the cartridge assembly.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivotable cam includes a first plate and a second plate that is spaced from the first plate, the first plate defining a first insert opening, the second plate defining a second insert opening aligned with the first insert opening, the cam slot insert being received within the first and second insert openings.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cam slot insert includes an outer flange and a cam arm extending from the outer flange, the outer flange received within an insert recess defined in the pivotable cam to prevent the cam slot insert from rotating relative to the pivotable cam.
A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a body;

an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole;

a cartridge assembly;

an alignment pin supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole; and

a trigger pivotably coupled to the body to cause relative movement between the anvil and cartridge assemblies between an unclamped position and a clamped position, the trigger further configured to cause the alignment pin to translate toward the anvil alignment hole for aligning the anvil and cartridge assemblies relative to one another as the anvil and cartridge assemblies move between the unclamped and clamped positions, the trigger defining at least one cutout and including a stem disposed adjacent to the at least one cutout, the stem coupling an upper end portion of the trigger to the body, the stem configured to break for decoupling the trigger from the body when the alignment pin is misaligned with the anvil alignment hole and a predetermined force is applied to the trigger.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a pivotable cam assembly supported by the body, the pivotable cam assembly including a pivotable cam that pivots relative to the body in response to the trigger pivoting relative to the body, the pivotable cam engageable with an alignment pusher that moves the alignment pin relative to the cartridge and anvil assemblies.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pivotable cam defines at least one insert opening, and wherein the pivotable cam assembly further includes at least one cam slot insert received within the at least one opening.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one cam slot insert includes metallic material.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one cam slot insert includes a first cam slot insert and a second cam slot insert, and wherein the at least one cam slot includes a first insert opening and a second insert opening disposed on opposite sides of the pivotable cam.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one cam slot insert includes a first cam arm and a second cam arm that are coupled together by a bridge, the first and second cam arms defining a slot adjacent to the bridge.
A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a body;

an anvil assembly defining an anvil alignment hole;

a cartridge assembly;

an alignment pin supported by the cartridge assembly and receivable within the anvil alignment hole when the alignment pin is aligned with the anvil alignment hole; and

a trigger pivotably coupled to the body to cause relative movement between the anvil and cartridge assemblies between an unclamped position and a clamped position, the trigger configured to break for decoupling the trigger from the body when the alignment pin is misaligned with the anvil alignment hole and a predetermined force is applied to the trigger.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a pivotable cam assembly including a pivotable cam and at least one cam slot insert received within the pivotable cam, the pivotable cam engageable with an alignment pusher to drive the alignment pin relative to the anvil and cartridge assemblies as the at least one cam slot insert cams along at least one cam slot defined in a clamp assembly that moves the anvil and cartridge assemblies between the unclamped and clamped positions as the trigger pivots relative to the clamp assembly.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pivotable cam includes a first plate and a second plate that is spaced from the first plate, and the at least one cam slot insert is inserted through the first and second plates.
The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one cam slot insert includes a first cam slot insert and a second cam slot insert that is separate from the first cam slot insert.