Surgical instrument system comprising a magnetic lockout

• US 10,363,037 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Aronhalt, Taylor W., Wise, Austin E., Hunter, Morgan R., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Valvis, Alexander M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Palmer, Lucas E. A.
• Application Number:
  US15/131,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20170296190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 2271752
• 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 2017/00398 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

Surgical instrument systems comprising lockouts are disclosed. The systems comprise a firing member, a staple cartridge assembly, and a lockout member. The lockout member, movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, is configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced through the staple cartridge assembly when the lockout member is in its locked position.

Claims

1. A surgical end effector system, comprising:

a firing member comprising a cutting portion;

a staple cartridge assembly configured to be installed into said end effector system and fired by said firing member, said staple cartridge assembly comprising;

a plurality of staples;

a cartridge body comprising a slot, wherein said firing member is translatable within said slot;

an installed, ready-to-fire configuration; and

a false configuration; and

a lockout circuit system, comprising;

an electromagnet;

a severable circuit completion member electrically coupled to said electromagnet, wherein said severable circuit completion member is configured to be severed by said cutting portion, and wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said severable circuit completion member is severed; and

a lockout member, comprising;

a locked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to prevent said firing member from firing said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said locked position; and

an unlocked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to permit said firing member to fire said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said unlocked position;

wherein said electromagnet is configured to release said lockout member into said locked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration.

2. The surgical end effector system of claim 1, wherein said electromagnet is activated to retain said lockout member in said unlocked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said installed, ready-to-fire configuration.

3. The surgical end effector system of claim 1, further comprising a spine portion, wherein said lockout member comprises:

a proximal portion attached to said spine portion;

an intermediate portion bendable relative to said proximal portion; and

a distal portion comprising a hook configured to catch said firing member.

4. The surgical end effector system of claim 1, wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said staple cartridge assembly is not installed within said end effector system.

5. The surgical end effector system of claim 1, wherein said lockout circuit system further comprises a pair of electrical contacts configured to contact said severable circuit completion member on a bottom face of said staple cartridge assembly.

6. A surgical end effector system, comprising:

a firing member comprising a cutting portion;

a staple cartridge assembly configured to be installed into said end effector system and fired by said firing member, said staple cartridge assembly comprising;

a plurality of staples;

a cartridge body comprising a slot, wherein said firing member is translatable within said slot;

an installed, ready-to-fire configuration; and

a false configuration; and

a lockout circuit system, comprising;

an electromagnet;

a circuit completion member electrically coupled to said electromagnet, wherein said circuit completion member is configured to be incised by said cutting portion, and wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said circuit completion member is incised; and

a lockout member, comprising;

a locked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to prevent said firing member from firing said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said locked position; and

an unlocked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to permit said firing member to fire said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said unlocked position;

wherein said electromagnet is configured to release said lockout member into said locked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration.

7. The surgical end effector system of claim 6, wherein said electromagnet is activated to retain said lockout member in said unlocked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said installed, ready-to-fire configuration.

8. The surgical end effector system of claim 6, further comprising a spine portion, wherein said lockout member comprises:

a proximal portion attached to said spine portion;

an intermediate portion bendable relative to said proximal portion; and

a distal portion comprising a hook configured to catch said firing member.

9. The surgical end effector system of claim 6, wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said staple cartridge assembly is not installed within said end effector system.

10. The surgical end effector system of claim 6, wherein said lockout circuit system further comprises a pair of electrical contacts configured to contact said circuit completion member on a bottom face of said staple cartridge assembly.

11. A surgical end effector system, comprising:

a firing member comprising a cutting portion;

a staple cartridge assembly configured to be installed into said end effector system and fired by said firing member, said staple cartridge assembly comprising;

a plurality of staples;

a cartridge body comprising a slot, wherein said firing member is translatable within said slot;

an installed, ready-to-fire configuration; and

a false configuration; and

a lockout circuit system, comprising;

an electromagnet;

a lockout circuit electrically coupled to said electromagnet, wherein said lockout circuit is configured to be disconnected by said cutting portion, and wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said lockout circuit is disconnected; and

a lockout member, comprising;

a locked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to prevent said firing member from firing said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said locked position; and

an unlocked position, wherein said lockout member is configured to permit said firing member to fire said staple cartridge assembly when said lockout member is in said unlocked position;

wherein said electromagnet is configured to release said lockout member into said locked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration.

12. The surgical end effector system of claim 11, wherein said electromagnet is activated to retain said lockout member in said unlocked position when said staple cartridge assembly is in said installed, ready-to-fire configuration.

13. The surgical end effector system of claim 11, further comprising a spine portion, wherein said lockout member comprises:

a proximal portion attached to said spine portion;

an intermediate portion bendable relative to said proximal portion; and

a distal portion comprising a hook configured to catch said firing member.

14. The surgical end effector system of claim 11, wherein said staple cartridge assembly is in said false configuration when said staple cartridge assembly is not installed within said end effector system.