Surgical instrument assembly comprising a lockable articulation system

• US 10,117,649 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Baxter, III, Chester O., Dunki-Jacobs, Adam R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Baber, Daniel L., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weeks, Gloria R
• Application Number:
  US14/574,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20160174971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. The switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.

Claims

1. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a movable jaw;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said movable jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing system is configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector, wherein said articulation actuator comprises;

a first articulation actuator; and

a second articulation actuator configured to rotate said end effector, wherein said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator are configured to move separately from one another and are configured to move in different directions; and

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

lock said articulation system in an articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

2. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein.

3. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said end effector.

4. The shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein said movable jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples.

5. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said input actuator comprises a rack of teeth, wherein said switching system comprises a rotatable pinion gear movable between a first position in which the pinion gear is operably engaged with said first articulation actuator, said second articulation actuator, and said rack of teeth and a second position in which the pinion gear is operably disengaged from said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator.

6. The shaft assembly of claim 5, wherein said pinion gear is rotatably mounted to a rotatable switch, wherein said rotatable switch comprises a lock configured to prevent the movement of said first articulation actuator and said second articulation actuator when said rotatable pinion gear is in said second position.

7. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said articulation system further comprises a rotatable articulation driver, wherein the rotatable articulation driver comprises:

a first actuator slot, wherein said first articulation actuator is operably engaged with said first actuator slot;

a second actuator slot, wherein said second articulation actuator is operably engaged with said second actuator slot, wherein said rotatable articulation driver is rotatable;

in a first direction to push said first articulation actuator distally and pull said second articulation actuator proximally; and

in a second direction to pull said first articulation actuator proximally and push said second articulation actuator distally; and

a longitudinal aperture, wherein said input actuator extends through said longitudinal aperture, wherein said input actuator rotates said rotatable articulation driver;

in said first direction when said input actuator is moved in said proximal direction, and

in said second direction when said input actuator is moved in said distal direction.

8. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system comprising an articulation actuator configured to articulate said end effector;

and

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration;

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

wherein said switching system comprises a brake configured to hold said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

9. The shaft assembly of claim 8, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein.

10. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a closable jaw;

an articulation joint, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulation joint;

an input actuator movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction;

a closure system comprising a closing member movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to close said jaw;

a firing system comprising a firing member configured to actuate said end effector;

an articulation system, comprising;

a first articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a first direction; and

a second articulation member configured to articulate said end effector in a second direction, wherein said first direction is different than said second direction;

a switching system configured to;

operably couple said articulation system to said input actuator when said closure system is in said open configuration; and

operably decouple said articulation system from said input actuator when said closure system is in said closed configuration; and

locking means for locking said articulation system in its articulated position when said closure system is in said closed configuration.

11. The shaft assembly of claim 10, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein.