Attachable clamp for surgical stapler

Abstract

A surgical fastener applying instrument including a handle portion, an elongated portion, a pair of jaw members and a removable clamp. One of the jaw members contains a plurality of fasteners arranged in at least one row substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The removable clamp has an elongated member and a tissue clamping surface extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The clamp is movable from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue and is releasably mountable to the elongated portion of the instrument.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical fastener applying instrument comprising:
 a handle portion;   an elongated portion extending distally from the handle portion and having a central longitudinal axis and an outer surface;   a pair of jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other jaw member between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, one of the jaw members containing a plurality of fasteners arranged in at least one row substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated portion; and   a removable clamp having an elongated member and a tissue clamping surface extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member, the clamp movable longitudinally alongside the outer surface of the elongated portion along a path radially offset from the central longitudinal axis from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue, the clamp removably mountable adjacent the outer surface of the elongated portion.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the clamp is movable independent of movement of the jaw members. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein a tissue-contacting surface of each of the jaw members is disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the clamp is mountable to either side of the elongated portion of the instrument for movement alongside the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument of  claim 23 , further comprising a hook configured to secure the clamp on either side of the instrument. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the clamp clamps tissue alongside the tissue clamped by the jaw members. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , further comprising a ratchet for allowing movement of the clamp in a first direction and restricting movement in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , further comprising an approximation mechanism for advancing at least one of the jaw members toward the other jaw member, and the elongated member of the clamp is radially offset from the approximation mechanism. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , further comprising a locking pin and an opening to allow movement of the clamp in one direction and restrict movement in the opposing direction. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 20 , wherein the clamp includes an enlarged clamping head extending from the elongated member, the tissue contacting surface formed on a distal end of the clamping head. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical fastener applying instrument comprising:
 a handle portion;   an elongated portion extending distally from the handle portion and having a longitudinal axis;   a pair of jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other jaw member between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, one of the jaw members containing a plurality of fasteners arranged in at least one row substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated portion; and   a removable clamp having an elongated member and a tissue clamping surface extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member, the clamp movable from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue, the clamp releasably mountable to the elongated portion of the instrument, the clamp movable longitudinally to clamp tissue independent of movement of at least one of the jaw members to engage body tissue.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , wherein one jaw member includes a cartridge assembly and the other jaw member includes an anvil assembly, at least the cartridge assembly configured to be removable from the instrument. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , wherein the clamp includes an enlarged clamping head extending from the elongated member, the tissue contacting surface formed on a distal end of the clamping head. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , further comprising a handle for moving the clamp longitudinally prior to moving at least of the jaw members to the approximated position. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , wherein the clamp is mountable to the instrument in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument of  claim 34 , wherein a distalmost end and a proximalmost end of the clamp are fully releasable from the instrument. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the handle of the mounted clamp is positioned distal of the handle portion of the instrument.