Apparatus for endoscopic procedures

• US 10,085,752 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Williams, Justin, Scirica, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US15/271,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20170007252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271752, 2271781, 2271801, 2271761, 606139, 606151, 606153, 606213, 606219, 606143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

An electromechanical surgical device is provided and includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function; and a shaft assembly. The end effector includes a rotatable drive screw having a coupling member at a proximal end thereof; and a flexible drive cable rotatably supported therein and extending therefrom, wherein the flexible drive cable receives rotational forces and transmits said rotational forces to the drive screw to actuate the end effector. The shaft assembly includes a proximal neck housing supported at a distal end of the outer tube; and a distal neck housing pivotally connected to the proximal neck housing, wherein a distal end of the distal neck housing is configured and adapted for operative connection with the end effector. In use, when the end effector is connected to the shaft assembly, the flexible drive cable extends through the proximal neck housing and the distal neck housing.

Claims

1. An end effector for performing a surgical function and being connectable to an electromechanical power source, the end effector comprising:

an upper jaw and a lower jaw, at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw being movable in relation to the other of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, wherein the lower jaw of the end effector is configured to selectively receive a cartridge assembly;

a drive beam slidably supported in the lower jaw and being translatable through each of the upper jaw and the lower jaw to move the lower jaw relative to the upper;

a cartridge assembly configured for loading into the lower jaw, the cartridge assembly including an actuation sled slidably supported therein and being configured to expel at least a portion of a plurality of staples loaded in the cartridge assembly upon a distal movement of the actuation sled from a proximal-most position;

a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw, wherein the drive beam is threadably supported on the drive screw, whereby rotation of the drive screw results in axial translation of the drive beam, wherein the drive screw defines a proximal coupling socket;

a proximal coupling hub defining a proximal facing opening;

a lock actuator having at least a first position and a second position; and

a lock bar supported in the proximal coupling hub and being operatively engageable by the lock actuator, the lock bar including;

a first position in which the lock bar does not extend across the opening of the proximal coupling hub; and

a second position in which the lock bar at least partially extends across the opening of the proximal coupling hub.

2. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein when the lock actuator is in the first position the lock bar is in the first position, and, wherein when the lock actuator is in the second position the lock bar is engaged by the lock actuator and urged by the lock actuator to the second position.

3. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lock actuator is biased to the second position, and the lock bar is biased to the first position.

4. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the lock actuator includes an intermediate position between the first position and the second position thereof, wherein in the intermediate position, an angled camming surface of the lock actuator is in contact with the lock bar such that the lock bar is disposed at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position thereof.

5. The end effector according to claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible drive cable coupled to the coupling socket of the drive screw, wherein the flexible drive cable receives rotational forces and transmits said rotational forces to the drive screw to actuate the end effector.

6. An end effector for performing a surgical function and configured to couple to a shaft assembly, the end effector comprising:

a coupling hub defining an opening;

a lock actuator movable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position and being biased into the second actuator position; and

a lock bar movable between a first bar position and a second bar position in which the lock bar extends at least partially across the opening, the lock bar being biased into the first bar position, such that when the lock actuator is in the second actuator position, the lock actuator moves the lock bar into the second bar position and when the lock actuator is in the first position the lock bar is moved into the first position.

7. The end effector according to claim 6, further comprising:

an upper jaw; and

a lower jaw, wherein at least one of the upper jaw or the lower jaw is movable relative to each other.

8. The end effector according to claim 7, wherein the lower jaw is configured to receive a cartridge assembly.

9. The end effector according to claim 8, wherein the cartridge assembly includes:

a plurality of staples; and

an actuation sled slidably supported therein and configured to eject at least one staple of the plurality of staples upon movement of the actuation sled.

10. The end effector according to claim 6, further comprising:

a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw; and

a drive beam slidably supported in the lower jaw and threadably coupled to the drive screw, wherein rotation of the drive screw moves the drive beam through each of the upper jaw and the lower jaw to move at least one of the lower jaw or the upper jaw.

11. The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the drive screw defines a proximal coupling socket.

12. The end effector according to claim 11, further comprising:

a flexible drive cable coupled to the coupling socket, wherein the flexible drive cable is configured to transmit a rotational force to the drive screw to actuate the end effector.

13. The end effector according to claim 6, wherein the coupling hub is configured to couple to a shaft assembly and the lock actuator is configured to engage a slit defined in the shaft assembly.

14. A surgical device comprising:

a shaft assembly including a distal portion defining a notch therein; and

an end effector including;

a coupling hub defining an opening, the coupling hub configured to couple to the distal portion of the shaft;

a lock actuator configured to engage the notch, the lock actuator movable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position when engaged with the notch and being biased into the second actuator position; and

a lock bar movable between a first bar position and a second bar position in which the lock bar extends at least partially across the opening, the lock bar being biased into the first bar position, such that when the lock actuator is in the second actuator position, the lock actuator moves the lock bar into the second bar position and when the lock actuator is in the first position the lock bar is moved into the first position.

15. The surgical device according to claim 14, wherein the shaft assembly further includes a coupling lug configured to be inserted into the opening of the end effector and to engage the lock bar.

16. The surgical device according to claim 14, the end effector further comprising:

an upper jaw; and

a lower jaw, wherein at least one of the upper jaw or the lower jaw is movable relative to each other.

17. The surgical device according to claim 16, wherein the lower jaw is configured to receive a cartridge assembly.

18. The surgical device according to claim 17, wherein the cartridge assembly includes:

a plurality of staples; and

an actuation sled slidably supported therein and configured to eject at least one staple of the plurality of staples upon movement of the actuation sled.

19. The surgical device according to claim 16, the end effector further comprising:

a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw; and

a drive beam slidably supported in the lower jaw and threadably coupled to the drive screw, wherein rotation of the drive screw moves the drive beam through each of the upper jaw and the lower jaw to move at least one of the lower jaw or the upper jaw.

20. The end effector according to claim 19, wherein the drive screw defines a proximal coupling socket.