Closure member arrangements for surgical instruments

• US 10,617,414 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2016
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Hensel, Adam D., Harris, Jason L., Bakos, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/385,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20180168604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761, 2271751, 2271801, 227 19, 606219, 606153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/0046 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 2017/00473 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 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• 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 2017/2825 : Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2934 : arcuate shaped guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots

Abstract

A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In at least one form, the closure member comprises a closure body that defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion that comprises an upper wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion that comprises a lower wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces. The upper wall thickness differs from the lower wall thickness. A cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Claims

1. A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument, said closure member comprising:

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, said closure body further defining an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces wherein said upper wall thickness differs from said lower wall thickness;

a cam surface formed on said upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw; and

diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein said sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness that differs from said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness.

2. The closure member of claim 1, wherein said outer surface is a first radial distance from a first center axis and wherein said inner surface is a second radial distance from a second center axis that is offset from said first center axis.

3. The closure member of claim 1, wherein said upper wall thickness is greater than said lower wall thickness.

4. The closure member of claim 3, wherein said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness are each measured along a common vertical axis that extends through a center axis of said closure body.

5. The closure member of claim 1, wherein said sidewall thickness is greater than said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness.

6. The closure member of claim 1, wherein each said sidewall portion defines an inner sidewall and wherein said inner sidewall of one said sidewall portions is parallel to said inner sidewall of the other said sidewall portion.

7. The closure member of claim 1, wherein the movable jaw is movable from an open position to a closed position when said closure body cammingly contacts said portion of the movable jaw when said closure body is moved in a first direction and wherein at least one other portion of said closure member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position when said closure body is moved in a second direction.

8. A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument, said closure member comprising:

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, said closure body further defining an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces wherein said upper wall thickness differs from said lower wall thickness; and

a cam surface formed on said upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw,

wherein the movable jaw is movable from an open position to a closed position when said closure body cammingly contacts said portion of the movable jaw when said closure body is moved in a first direction and wherein at least one other portion of said closure member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position when said closure body is moved in a second direction, and

wherein said closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature extending inwardly from said inner surface and configured to contact another portion of the movable jaw when said closure member is moved in said second direction to move the movable jaw to the open position.

9. The closure member of claim 8, wherein said at least one positive jaw opening feature comprises at least two said positive jaw opening features diametrically opposed to each other and protruding inwardly from said inner surface.

10. The closure member of claim 8, wherein said at least one positive jaw opening feature extends from a mounting plate that is attached to a corresponding sidewall portion of said closure body that extends between said upper and lower portions.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

first and second jaws, wherein at least one of said first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of said first and second jaws between open and closed orientations upon applications of closing and opening motions thereto;

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, said closure body further defining an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces wherein said upper wall thickness differs from said lower wall thickness, and wherein said closure body comprises a cam surface formed on said upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of one of said at least one first and second jaws that is movable; and

diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion and wherein said sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness that differs from said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said outer surface is located a first radial distance from a center axis of said closure body and wherein said inner surface is located a second radial distance from the center axis and wherein said first radial distance is greater than said second radial distance such that said upper wall thickness is greater than said lower wall thickness.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness are each measured along a common vertical axis extending through a center of said closure body.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said at least one of said first and second jaws is movable from an open position to a closed position upon camming contact by said closure body when said closure body is moved in a first direction and wherein at least one other portion of said closure body is configured to move the said at least one first and second jaw from the closed position to the open position when said closure body is moved in a second direction and wherein said closure body further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature extending inwardly from said inner surface and configured to contact another portion of the said at least one first and second jaw when said closure body is moved in a second direction.

15. A surgical instrument, comprising:

first and second jaws, wherein at least one of said first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of said first and second jaws between open and closed orientations upon applications of closing and opening motions thereto;

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, said closure body further defining an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces wherein said upper wall thickness differs from said lower wall thickness, and wherein said closure body comprises a cam surface formed on said upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of one of said at least one first and second jaws that is movable; and

diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein said sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness,

wherein said sidewall thickness is equal to said upper wall thickness and is greater than said lower wall thickness.

16. A surgical instrument, comprising:

first and second jaws, wherein at least one of said first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of said first and second jaws between open and closed orientations upon applications of closing and opening motions thereto; and

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, said closure body further defining an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness between said outer and inner surfaces wherein said upper wall thickness differs from said lower wall thickness, and wherein said closure body comprises a cam surface formed on said upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of one of said at least one first and second jaws that is movable,

wherein said surgical instrument further comprises diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion and wherein said sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness that differs from said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness, and

wherein each said sidewall portion defines an inner sidewall surface and wherein said inner sidewall surfaces are not parallel to each other.

17. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw;

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; and

an anvil configured to deform said staples; and

a closure tube configured to move said second jaw relative to said first jaw, wherein said closure tube comprises;

an inner surface;

an outer surface; and

a body portion defined between said inner surface and said outer surface, wherein said body portion comprises;

an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness and a cam surface defined thereon, wherein said cam surface is configured to contact said second jaw to move said second jaw relative to said first jaw;

a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness, wherein said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness are different; and

sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein each said sidewall portion comprises a sidewall thickness that is greater than said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness.

18. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw;

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw; and

a closure tube configured to move said second jaw relative to said first jaw, wherein said closure tube comprises;

an inner surface;

an outer surface; and

a body portion defined between said inner surface and said outer surface, wherein said body portion comprises;

an upper portion comprising an upper wall thickness and a cam surface defined thereon, wherein said cam surface is configured to contact said second jaw to move said second jaw relative to said first jaw;

a lower portion comprising a lower wall thickness, wherein said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness are different; and

sidewall portions extending between said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein each said sidewall portion comprises a sidewall thickness that is greater than said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness.

19. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 18, further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.