Surgical instrument with motorized attachment feature

• US 10,085,792 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Johnson, Gregory W., Moore, Kyle P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Victor
• Application Number:
  US13/270,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,548 Days
• Field of Search: 600562, 600570, 606 37, 606166, 606169, 606170
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• 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 for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 : Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/066 : for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 : with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

An apparatus includes an instrument body and transmission assembly. The instrument body includes a motor, a switch, and an energy source (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer). The transmission assembly includes an end effector, a transmission feature (e.g., an acoustic waveguide), and a switch engagement feature. The end effector includes an active feature (e.g., a harmonic blade) in communication with the energy source. The switch engagement feature is operable to mechanically couple the energy source with the transmission feature in response to the switch engagement feature triggering the switch. A yoke of the instrument body is configured to selectively engage a translating member of the transmission assembly. A release switch is operable to selectively disengage the yoke from the translating member.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) an instrument body, comprising;

(i) a motor, and

(ii) a switch in communication with the motor;

(b) an ultrasonic transducer; and

(c) a transmission assembly comprising an acoustic waveguide, wherein the transmission assembly is configured to selectively engage the instrument body, wherein the transmission assembly is further configured to trigger the switch, wherein the motor is operable to couple the ultrasonic transducer with the acoustic waveguide in response to the transmission assembly triggering the switch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is movable between three positions based on movement of the transmission assembly relative to the instrument body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch is operable to rotate the motor in a first direction when the switch is in a first position, wherein the switch is operable to rotate the motor in a second direction when the switch is in a second position, wherein the switch is operable to place a drive circuit of the motor in an open configuration when the switch is in a third position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor is operable to secure the ultrasonic transducer with the acoustic waveguide when the motor is rotated in the first direction, wherein the motor is operable to decouple the ultrasonic transducer from the acoustic waveguide when the motor is rotated in the second direction.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the switch comprises a pivoting member, wherein the transmission assembly comprises an engagement feature operable to contact the pivoting member to change the position of the switch based on longitudinal movement of the transmission assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the engagement feature comprises a flange.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pivoting member has a tear drop shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instrument body further comprises a yoke, wherein the transmission assembly further comprises a translating member, wherein the yoke is operable to drive the translating member in a longitudinal direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the yoke comprises a U-shaped cavity having a ramp.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a spring operable to bias the yoke into engagement with the translating member.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a release switch operable to selectively disengage the yoke from the translating member.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transmission assembly includes an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a pivoting arm, wherein the translating member is operable to drive the pivoting arm.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instrument body comprises a handle configured to be gripped by a hand of a user.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source within the instrument body, wherein the power source is operable to power the motor.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the instrument body comprises the transducer.

16. An apparatus comprising:

(a) an instrument body, comprising;

(i) a motor, and

(ii) a switch in communication with the motor;

(b) an ultrasonic transducer; and

(c) a transmission assembly comprising an acoustic waveguide, wherein the transmission assembly is configured to selectively couple with the instrument body when the transmission assembly is received by the instrument body, wherein the transmission assembly is further configured to trigger the switch when the instrument body receives the transmission assembly, wherein the motor is operable to couple the ultrasonic transducer with the acoustic waveguide in response to the transmission assembly triggering the switch.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switch is movable between three positions based on movement of the transmission assembly relative to the instrument body.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the switch is operable to rotate the motor in a first direction when the switch is in a first position, wherein the switch is operable to rotate the motor in a second direction when the switch is in a second position, wherein the switch is operable to place a drive circuit of the motor in an open configuration when the switch is in a third position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the motor is operable to secure the ultrasonic transducer with the acoustic waveguide when the motor is rotated in the first direction, wherein the motor is operable to decouple the ultrasonic transducer from the acoustic waveguide when the motor is rotated in the second direction.