Surgical instrument with selectively disengageable threaded drive systems

• US 10,433,844 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2015
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Baxter, III, Chester O., Morgan, Jerome R., Yates, David C., Harris, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Valvis, Alexander M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hibbert-Copeland, Mary C
• Application Number:
  US14/674,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,652 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1761
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• 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 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• 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 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector;

a threaded rotary input shaft defining a shaft axis;

a first actuator segment comprising a first thread engagement portion;

a second actuator segment comprising a second thread engagement portion, said first and second actuator segments being selectively movable in directions transverse to said shaft axis between an engaged configuration wherein said first actuator segment and said second actuator segment form an actuator member in threaded engagement with said threaded rotary input shaft such that rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes said actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to said surgical end effector and a disengaged configuration wherein rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft is not imparted to said first and second actuator segments;

means for selectively moving said first and second actuator segments between said engaged and disengaged configurations; and

a locking system for preventing axial movement of said first and second actuator segments when said first and second actuator segments are in said disengaged configuration.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said surgical end effector comprises:

a first jaw; and

a second jaw that is selectively movable relative to said first jaw between an open and closed position and wherein, said actuator member comprises a closure member in operable engagement with said second jaw such that when said closure member is in said engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes said closure member to move said second jaw from said open to said closed position and when said threaded rotary input shaft is rotated in a second direction, said closure member moves said second jaw from said closed position to said open position.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said first jaw comprises a surgical staple cartridge and said second jaw comprises an anvil.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, further comprising:

a firing shaft operably interfacing with said threaded rotary input shaft such that said firing shaft rotates in response to rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft; and

a firing member movably supported in one of said first and second jaws for selective axial movement between start and end positions in response to rotation of said firing shaft.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said first jaw comprises a surgical staple cartridge and said second jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein said firing member comprises:

a tissue cutting surface; and

a wedge for driving surgical staples from said surgical staple cartridge into forming contact with said anvil.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said first actuator segment and said second actuator segment are pivotally coupled together.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said locking system comprises:

a locking pin movably supported relative to said actuator member; and

a lock member protruding from said first actuator segment and configured to lockingly engage said locking pin when said first actuator segment is in said disengaged configuration.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft comprises an electric motor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft comprises a robotic system.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively moving said first and second actuator segments between said engaged and disengaged configurations comprises a solenoid.

12. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector;

a threaded rotary input shaft;

an actuator member, comprising;

a first actuator segment supported for axial travel relative to said threaded rotary input shaft and comprising a first thread engagement portion; and

a second actuator segment pivotally coupled to said first actuator segment and supported for axial travel relative to said threaded rotary input shaft and comprising a second thread engagement portion, said first and second actuator segments being selectively movable relative to each other between an engaged configuration wherein said actuator member is in threaded engagement with said threaded rotary input shaft such that rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes said actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to said surgical end effector and a disengaged configuration wherein said first and second thread engagement portions do not threadably engage said threaded rotary input shaft such that rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to said actuator member, and wherein said surgical instrument further comprises;

a solenoid configured to selectively move said actuator member between said engaged and disengaged configurations; and

a locking system for preventing axial movement of said actuator member when said actuator member is in said disengaged configuration.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein said surgical end effector comprises:

a first jaw; and

a second jaw that is selectively movable relative to said first jaw between an open and closed position and wherein, said actuator member comprises a closure member in operable engagement with said second jaw such that when said closure member is in said engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes said closure member to move said second jaw from said open to said closed position and when said threaded rotary input shaft is rotated in a second direction, said closure member moves said second jaw from said closed position to said open position.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein said first jaw comprises a surgical staple cartridge and said second jaw comprises an anvil.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein said locking system comprises:

a locking pin movably supported relative to said actuator member; and

a lock member protruding from said first actuator segment and configured to lockingly engage said locking pin when said first actuator segment is in said disengaged configuration.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 13, further comprising means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein said means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft comprises an electric motor.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein said means for selectively applying rotary input motions to said threaded rotary input shaft comprises a robotic system.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 13, further comprising:

a firing shaft operably interfacing with said threaded rotary input shaft such that said firing shaft rotates in response to rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft; and

a firing member movably supported in one of said first and second jaws for selective axial movement between start and end positions in response to rotation of said firing shaft.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein said first jaw comprises a surgical staple cartridge and said second jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein said firing member comprises:

a tissue cutting surface; and

a wedge for driving surgical staples from said surgical staple cartridge into forming contact with said anvil.