Surgical instrument for use with different cartridges

• US 10,722,232 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2017
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Giordano, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/463,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20170209146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761, 2271781, 2271791, 2271801, 175 119
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00305 Constructional details of the flexible means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00738 part of the tool being offset with respect to a main axis, e.g. for better view for the surgeon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/07271 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 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• 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 2017/2937 : with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/506 : using a parallelogram linkage, e.g. panthograph
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 : Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical system comprising an RF energy source, a first cartridge including a first electrode, a second cartridge including fasteners and fastener drivers, and a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a shaft, a drive member, and an end effector articulable relative to the shaft. The end effector comprises an anvil and an elongate channel selectively and interchangeably attachable to either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. The anvil comprises a second electrode configured to cooperate with the first electrode to deliver RF energy, and anvil pockets configured to cooperate with the fastener drivers to form the fasteners. The first cartridge completes an RF energy circuit connecting the RF energy source to the first electrode when attached to the elongate channel. The fastener drivers are configured to be driven by the drive member when the second cartridge is attached to the elongate channel.

Claims

1. A surgical system, comprising:

an RF energy source;

a first cartridge comprising a first electrode;

a second cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge deck; and

a cartridge body, comprising;

fasteners; and

fastener drivers configured to deploy the fasteners from the cartridge body; and

a surgical instrument, comprising;

a shaft;

a drive member; and

an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector is articulable relative to the shaft, and wherein the end effector comprises;

an elongate channel selectively and interchangeably attachable to either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; and

an anvil movable relative to the elongate channel to grasp tissue, wherein the anvil comprises;

a second electrode configured to cooperate with the first electrode to deliver RF energy to the grasped tissue; and

anvil pockets configured to cooperate with the fastener drivers to form the fasteners;

wherein the first cartridge completes an RF energy circuit connecting the RF energy source to the first electrode when attached to the elongate channel, and wherein the fastener drivers are configured to be driven by the drive member when the second cartridge is attached to the elongate channel.

2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first cartridge defines a longitudinal slot, and wherein the first electrode is positioned adjacent the longitudinal slot.

3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first cartridge comprises a non-conductive material to insulate the first electrode from the elongate channel.

4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the drive member is movable during a firing stroke of the surgical instrument, and wherein the drive member comprises:

a first transverse portion configured to selectively engage the elongate channel;

a second transverse portion configured to selectively engage the anvil; and

a sled, wherein the drive member is configured to move the sled to cause the fastener drivers to deploy the fasteners during the firing stroke.

5. The surgical system of claim 4, wherein the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion are configured to resist deflections of the elongate channel and the anvil during the firing stroke.

6. A surgical instrument selectively and interchangeably useable with a first cartridge including a first electrode and a second cartridge including staples, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a shaft; and

an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector is articulable relative to the shaft, and wherein the end effector comprises;

a drive member;

an elongate channel selectively and interchangeably attachable to either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; and

an anvil movable relative to the elongate channel to grasp tissue, wherein the anvil comprises;

a second electrode configured to define an electrical pathway for RF energy through the grasped tissue; and

anvil pockets configured to cooperate with staple drivers of the second cartridge to form the staples;

wherein the first cartridge completes an RF energy circuit connecting the first electrode to an RF energy source when attached to the elongate channel, and wherein a fastener driver is configured to be driven by the drive member when the second cartridge is attached to the elongate channel.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the drive member is movable during a firing stroke of the surgical instrument to cause the staple drivers to deploy the staples, wherein the drive member comprises:

a first transverse portion configured to selectively engage the elongate channel; and

a second transverse portion configured to selectively engage the anvil, wherein the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion resist deflections at distal ends of the elongate channel and the anvil during the firing stroke.

8. A surgical instrument for use with a first cartridge including a first electrode and a second cartridge including staples and staple drivers, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a shaft;

a drive member; and

an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector is articulable relative to the shaft, and wherein the end effector comprises;

an elongate channel configured to receive either one of the of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; and

an anvil movable relative to the elongate channel to grasp tissue, wherein the anvil comprises;

a second electrode, wherein, when the first cartridge is seated in the elongate channel, the second electrode is configured to cooperate with the first electrode to define an electrical pathway for RF energy through the grasped tissue; and

anvil pockets, wherein, when the second cartridge is seated in the elongate channel, the anvil pockets are configured to cooperate with staple drivers of the second cartridge to form the staples;

wherein the first cartridge completes an RF energy circuit connecting the first electrode to an RF energy source when attached to the elongate channel, and wherein the staple drivers are configured to be driven by the drive member when the second cartridge is attached to the elongate channel.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the drive member is movable during a firing stroke of the surgical instrument to cause the staple drivers to deploy the staples, wherein the drive member comprises:

a first transverse portion configured to selectively engage the elongate channel; and

a second transverse portion configured to selectively engage the anvil, wherein the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion resist deflections at distal ends of the elongate channel and the anvil during the firing stroke.

10. A surgical system, comprising:

a first cartridge comprising a first electrode;

a second cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge deck; and

a cartridge body, comprising;

fasteners; and

fastener drivers configured to deploy the fasteners from the cartridge body;

a surgical instrument, comprising;

a shaft; and

an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector is articulable relative to the shaft, and wherein the end effector comprises;

an elongate channel selectively and interchangeably attachable to either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; and

an anvil movable relative to the elongate channel to grasp tissue, wherein the anvil comprises;

a second electrode configured to cooperate with the first electrode to deliver RF energy to the grasped tissue; and

anvil pockets configured to cooperate with the fastener drivers to form the fasteners; and

an automated system configured to selectively reload the elongate channel of the end effector with either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

11. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the automated system comprises:

a sensor configured to sense the presence of the end effector;

an extraction system configured to automatically remove a spent cartridge from the elongate channel;

a reloading system configured to load a new cartridge into the elongate channel; and

a control circuit in communication with the sensor, the extraction system, the reloading system, and the surgical instrument.