Surgical cutting and stapling end effector with anvil concentric drive member

• US 10,531,874 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2016
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Chelsea E
• Application Number:
  US15/089,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20170281166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 2271801, 2271751
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/291 the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 : transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 : toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head 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 2017/2932 : Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

A surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft assembly that includes a rotary output drive shaft is disclosed. An elongate channel is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. An anvil frame that comprises a proximal end and a distal end is selectively movable between open and closed positions relative to the elongate channel. An anvil concentric drive member is rotatably supported by the anvil frame and is configured to receive rotary drive motions from the rotary output drive shaft of the surgical instrument when the anvil frame is in the closed position. A firing member is in driving engagement with the anvil concentric drive member for linear travel through the end effector.

Claims

1. A surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft assembly that includes a rotary output drive shaft, said surgical end effector comprising:

an elongate channel configured for operable attachment to the elongate shaft assembly of the surgical instrument, said elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; and

an anvil assembly comprising;

an anvil frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is pivotally supported relative to said elongate channel for selective pivotal travel relative to said elongate channel between an open position and a closed position; and

an anvil concentric drive member rotatably supported by said anvil frame and configured to receive rotary drive motions from the rotary output drive shaft of the surgical instrument, wherein said surgical end effector further comprises a firing member in driving engagement with said anvil concentric drive member such that rotation of said anvil concentric drive member in a first rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from a starting position to an ending position within said surgical end effector and rotation of said anvil concentric drive member in a second rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from said ending position to said starting position.

2. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said anvil concentric drive member comprises an anvil drive shaft comprising:

a distal shaft end rotatably supported in a distal rotary bearing supported in said distal end of said anvil frame; and

a proximal shaft end rotatably supported in a proximal rotary bearing supported in said proximal end of said anvil frame.

3. The surgical end effector of claim 2, wherein said proximal rotary bearing is movably supported in a proximal bearing pocket formed in said proximal end of said anvil frame.

4. The surgical end effector of claim 2, wherein said anvil drive shaft comprises a driven anvil gear configured for meshing engagement with a distal drive gear on the rotary output drive shaft.

5. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said anvil concentric drive member comprises an anvil drive shaft comprising:

a proximal threaded section; and

a distal threaded section that differs from said proximal threaded section.

6. The surgical end effector of claim 5, wherein said proximal threaded section has a first length and wherein said distal threaded section has a second length that differs from said first length.

7. The surgical end effector of claim 5, wherein said proximal threaded section comprises a proximal thread that has a first thread lead and wherein said distal threaded section has a second thread lead that differs from said first thread lead.

8. The surgical end effector of claim 1, further comprising at least one anvil plate attached to said anvil frame, said at least one anvil plate comprising a plurality of staple-forming pockets formed therein.

9. The surgical end effector of claim 1, further comprising means for increasing a stiffness of said anvil frame.

10. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises anvil engagement means for movably engaging said anvil frame as said firing member moves from said starting position to said ending position.

11. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises means for movably engaging said elongate channel as said firing member moves from said starting position to said ending position.

12. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises a tissue cutting surface.

13. A surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft assembly that includes a rotary output drive shaft, said surgical end effector comprising:

an elongate channel configured for operable attachment to the elongate shaft assembly of the surgical instrument, said elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein;

an anvil frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is pivotally supported relative to said elongate channel and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said elongate channel upon application of opening and closing motions thereto from the elongate shaft assembly;

a firing member supported for movable travel within said surgical end effector; and

means supported within said anvil frame and extending a length thereof for driving said firing member through said end effector from a starting position to an ending position upon an application of a first rotary motion to said means for driving and wherein said means for driving being configured to drive said firing member from said ending position to said starting position upon application of a second rotary motion to said means for driving.

14. A surgical tool assembly, comprising:

an elongate shaft assembly comprising a rotary output drive shaft configured to receive rotary control motions from a source of rotary control motions;

an elongate channel operably coupled to said elongate shaft assembly;

an implantable surgical staple cartridge operably supported in said elongate channel;

an anvil assembly comprising;

an anvil frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is pivotally supported on the elongate channel, said anvil frame being selectively movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said elongate channel upon application of opening and closing motions thereto by said elongate shaft assembly; and

an anvil concentric drive member rotatably supported by said anvil frame and configured to receive rotary drive motions from said rotary output drive shaft when said anvil frame is in said closed position and wherein said surgical tool assembly further comprises;

a firing member in driving engagement with said anvil concentric drive member such that rotation of said anvil concentric drive member in a first rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from a starting position to an ending position within said surgical tool assembly and rotation of said anvil concentric drive member in a second rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from said ending position to said starting position.

15. The surgical tool assembly of claim 14, wherein said anvil concentric drive member comprises an anvil drive shaft comprising:

a distal shaft end rotatably supported in a distal rotary bearing supported in said distal end of said anvil frame; and

a proximal shaft end rotatably supported in a proximal rotary bearing supported in said proximal end of said anvil frame.

16. The surgical tool assembly of claim 15, wherein said proximal rotary bearing is movably supported in a proximal bearing pocket formed in said proximal end of said anvil frame.

17. The surgical tool assembly of claim 15, wherein said anvil drive shaft comprises a driven anvil gear configured for meshing engagement with a distal drive gear on said rotary output drive shaft.

18. The surgical tool assembly of claim 14, wherein said anvil concentric drive member comprises an anvil drive shaft comprising:

a proximal threaded portion; and

a distal threaded portion that differs from said proximal threaded portion.

19. The surgical tool assembly of claim 18, wherein said proximal threaded portion has a first length and wherein said distal threaded portion has a second length that differs from said first length.

20. The surgical tool assembly of claim 18, wherein said proximal threaded portion comprises a proximal thread that has a first thread lead and wherein said distal threaded portion has a second thread lead that differs from said first thread lead.

21. A surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft assembly that includes a rotary output drive shaft, said surgical end effector comprising:

an elongate channel configured for operable attachment to the elongate shaft assembly of the surgical instrument, said elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; and

an anvil assembly comprising;

an anvil frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end supported relative to said elongate channel; and

an anvil drive shaft rotatably supported by said anvil frame and configured to receive rotary drive motions from the rotary output drive shaft of the surgical instrument, wherein said anvil drive shaft comprises;

a distal shaft end rotatably supported in a distal rotary bearing supported in said distal end of said anvil frame; and

a proximal shaft end rotatably supported in a proximal rotary bearing supported in said proximal end of said anvil frame, and wherein said surgical end effector further comprises a firing member in driving engagement with said anvil drive shaft such that rotation of said anvil drive shaft in a first rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from a starting position to an ending position within said surgical end effector and rotation of said anvil drive shaft in a second rotary direction causes said firing member to travel from said ending position to said starting position.

22. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said proximal rotary bearing is movably supported in a proximal bearing pocket formed in said proximal end of said anvil frame.

23. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said anvil drive shaft comprises a driven anvil gear configured for meshing engagement with a distal drive gear on the rotary output drive shaft.

24. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said anvil drive shaft further comprises:

a proximal threaded section; and

a distal threaded section that differs from said proximal threaded section.

25. The surgical end effector of claim 24, wherein said proximal threaded section has a first length and wherein said distal threaded section has a second length that differs from said first length.

26. The surgical end effector of claim 24, wherein said proximal threaded section comprises a proximal thread that has a first thread lead and wherein said distal threaded section has a second thread lead that differs from said first thread lead.

27. The surgical end effector of claim 21, further comprising at least one anvil plate attached to said anvil frame, said at least one anvil plate comprising a plurality of staple-forming pockets formed therein.

28. The surgical end effector of claim 21, further comprising means for increasing a stiffness of said anvil frame.

29. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said firing member comprises anvil engagement means for movably engaging said anvil frame as said firing member moves from said starting position to said ending position.

30. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said firing member comprises means for movably engaging said elongate channel as said firing member moves from said starting position to said ending position.

31. The surgical end effector of claim 21, wherein said firing member comprises a tissue cutting surface.