Adapter assembly for surgical device

• US 10,371,238 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gutelius, Patrick N., Khouri, Khalil R., Radziunas, Jeffrey P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kabir, Zahed
• Application Number:
  US15/262,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20170102055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 606 1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3476 Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• 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 2017/00486 Adaptors for coupling parts with incompatible geometries
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 19/06 comprising flexible members, e.g. an endless flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2087 using planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 49/001 Wave gearings, e.g. harmonic drive transmissions harmonic drives specially adapted for positioning programme-controlled manipulators B25J9/1025

Abstract

An adapter assembly for connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument includes first, second, and third drive assemblies configured for converting rotational motion into linear motion. Each of the second and third drive assemblies includes a pair of rotatable drive shafts for longitudinally advancing and retracting respective second and third drive members.

Claims

1. An adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument, the adapter assembly comprising:

a proximal portion configured for operable engagement with a surgical instrument;

a distal portion configured for operable engagement with an end effector;

an intermediate portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

a drive coupling assembly disposed within the proximal portion;

a first drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the first drive assembly including a rotatable drive shaft and defining a longitudinal axis;

a second drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the second drive assembly including a first pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts extending between the proximal and distal portions, wherein a first shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction; and

a third drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the third drive assembly including a second pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts extending between the proximal and distal portions, wherein a first shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction.

2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including a trocar member, wherein rotation of the rotatable drive shaft of the first drive assembly effects longitudinal movement of the trocar member.

3. The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including a first pusher assembly supported in a distal end of the adapter assembly, wherein rotation of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts effects longitudinal movement of the first pusher assembly.

4. The adapter assembly of claim 3, further including a second pusher assembly supported in the distal end of the adapter assembly, wherein rotation of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts effects longitudinal movement of the second pusher assembly.

5. The adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the second pusher assembly is nested within the first pusher assembly.

6. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first drive assembly includes a first high ratio transmission assembly.

7. The adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein the second drive assembly includes a second high ratio transmission assembly.

8. The adapter assembly of claim 7, wherein the third drive assembly includes a third high ratio transmission assembly.

9. The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third high ratio transmission assemblies are one of a harmonic gear system or a planetary gear system.

10. The adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the harmonic gear system is one of an orbital gear system or a yoked sun orbital gear system.

11. The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including an outer sleeve, wherein each of the first, second, and third drive assemblies extends through the outer sleeve.

12. The adapter assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer sleeve is flexible.

13. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling assembly is configured for operable connection to a handle assembly.

14. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts of the second drive assembly are radially spaced equidistant from the rotatable drive shaft of the first drive assembly.

15. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts are radially spaced equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the first drive assembly.

16. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein an input load from a handle assembly is equally distributed between the first and second shafts of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts during operation of the second drive assembly.

17. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein an input load from a handle assembly is equally distributed between the first and second shafts of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts during operation of the third drive assembly.

18. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second pair of rotatable drive shafts are flexible.

19. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second pair of rotatable drive shafts forms a helical configuration.

20. An adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument, the adapter assembly comprising:

a proximal portion configured for operable engagement with a surgical instrument;

a distal portion configured for operable engagement with an end effector;

an intermediate portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

a drive coupling assembly disposed within the proximal portion;

a first drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the first drive assembly including a rotatable drive shaft and defining a longitudinal axis; and

a second drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the second drive assembly including a first pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts being flexible and extending between the proximal and distal portions in a helical configuration, wherein a first shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction.