Articulatable surgical instruments with off-axis firing beam arrangements

• US 10,588,625 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2016
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Weaner, Lauren S., Wise, Austin E., Vendely, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Igbokwe, Nicholas E
• Application Number:
  US15/019,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20170224335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/00424 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• 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 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/715 : Cable tensioning mechanisms for removing slack
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 : Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure

Abstract

A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly such that the surgical end effector is selectively movable between an unarticulated position and a fully articulated position relative to the shaft axis. A firing beam is movably supported within a pathway in the elongate shaft assembly for selective longitudinal travel therein. The pathway is configured to position a portion of the firing beam exiting the distal end of the elongate shaft member to an off axis position relative to the shaft axis.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis and comprising a distal end;

a surgical end effector comprising a proximal end that is pivotally coupled to said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly such that said surgical end effector is selectively movable between an unarticulated position and a fully articulated position relative to said shaft axis; and

a firing beam movably supported within a pathway in said elongate shaft assembly for selective longitudinal travel therein, said pathway configured to position a portion of said firing beam exiting said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly to a predetermined off axis position relative to said shaft axis irrespective of the position of said surgical end effector between the unarticulated position and the fully articulated position.

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

a first pathway portion aligned on said shaft axis;

a second arcuate pathway portion communicating with said first pathway portion and curving in a first direction away from said shaft axis; and

a third arcuate pathway portion communicating with said second arcuate pathway portion and curving in a second direction toward said shaft axis.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said surgical end effector is configured to articulate in only one articulation direction that is transverse to said shaft axis.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to said elongate shaft assembly at an attachment location on said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel between said unarticulated position and said fully articulated position about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to said shaft axis, but does not intersect said shaft axis.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel relative to said elongate shaft assembly and being coupled to said surgical end effector for applying articulation motions thereto.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein said articulation driver is configured to apply pushing and pulling motions to said surgical end effector.

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

a first pathway portion that is axially aligned on said shaft axis; and

a second pathway portion communicating with said first pathway portion and extending distally therefrom such that at least a portion of said second pathway portion is not axially aligned with said shaft axis.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said firing beam comprises a plurality of beam layers that are laminated together.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said surgical end effector comprises a firing member that operably interfaces with said firing beam and is configured for axial travel within said surgical end effector.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis and comprising a distal end;

a surgical end effector comprising a proximal end;

an articulation joint movably coupling said proximal end of said surgical end effector to said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly at an articulation angle;

a firing beam movably supported within said elongate shaft assembly for longitudinal travel therein along said shaft axis; and

means for positioning a portion of said firing beam exiting said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly in a predetermined off axis position relative to said shaft axis irrespective of the articulation angle.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein said articulation joint pivotally couples said proximal end of said surgical end effector to said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to said elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to, and laterally offset from, said shaft axis.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein said surgical end effector defines an end effector axis and wherein said surgical end effector is selectively articulatable between a non-articulated position wherein said end effector axis is axially aligned with said shaft axis and a fully articulated position located to one lateral side of said shaft axis.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein said firing beam comprises a plurality of beam layers that are laminated together.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein said surgical end effector comprises a firing member operably interfacing with said firing beam and being configured for axial travel within said surgical end effector.

15. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis and comprising a distal end;

a surgical end effector comprising a proximal end;

an articulation joint coupling said proximal end of said surgical end effector to said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly at a variable articulation angle;

a firing beam movably supported within said elongate shaft assembly for longitudinal travel therein along said shaft axis; and

means for biasing a portion of said firing beam to an invariable off axis position relative to said shaft axis prior to said articulation joint irrespective of the variable articulation angle.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said articulation joint pivotally couples said proximal end of said surgical end effector to said distal end of said elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation relative to said elongate shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to, and laterally offset from, said shaft axis.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said surgical end effector defines an end effector axis and wherein said surgical end effector is selectively articulatable between a non-articulated position wherein said end effector axis is axially aligned with said shaft axis and a fully articulated position located to one lateral side of said shaft axis.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said firing beam comprises a plurality of beam layers that are laminated together.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said surgical end effector comprises a firing member operably interfacing with said firing beam and being configured for axial travel within said surgical end effector.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein said means comprises an arcuate path in a spine portion of said elongate shaft assembly, said arcuate path configured to slidably receive said firing beam therein and opening at a distal end of said spine portion at a location that is axially offset from said shaft axis.