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Suturing instrument cartridge with torque limiting features

  • US 10,639,027 B2
  • Filed: 10/27/2015
  • Issued: 05/05/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

  • (a) a body having an actuator configured to be selectively manipulated by an operator;

    (b) a shaft extending distally from the body;

    (c) a cartridge receiving assembly projecting from a distal end portion of the shaft, wherein the cartridge receiving assembly comprises a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the actuator and configured to be selectively driven via selective manipulation of the actuator;

    (d) a suture cartridge received within the cartridge receiving assembly, wherein the suture cartridge comprises;

    (i) a needle track at least partially defining a circular predetermined path, wherein the needle track has an entrance port and an exit port positioned on the circular predetermined path,(ii) an arcuate needle positioned within the needle track on the circular predetermined path and configured to be driven along the circular predetermined path in a first circular direction and in an opposite, second circular direction, wherein the arcuate needle is configured to exit the exit port and then enter the entrance port while being driven in the first circular direction, and(iii) a drive assembly engaged with the transmission mechanism and coupled to the arcuate needle, wherein the transmission mechanism is configured to actuate the drive assembly and thereby drive the arcuate needle to orbit along the circular predetermined path; and

    (e) a slip clutch operatively connected to the actuator, the transmission mechanism, and the drive assembly such that the actuator is operatively engaged with the arcuate needle and configured to transmit a force through the slip clutch for driving the arcuate needle in the first or second circular directions,wherein the slip clutch driving the arcuate needle in the first circular direction is configured to slip under the influence of a predetermined maximum force transmission therethrough to operatively disengage the arcuate needle from the actuator for limiting a driving force applied to the arcuate needle, andwherein the slip clutch driving the arcuate needle in the second circular direction is configured to prevent slip under the influence of the predetermined maximum force transmission therethrough such that the arcuate needle remains operatively engaged with the actuator for reversing movement of the arcuate needle.

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