Surgical device

• US 20040094597A1
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Whitman, Michael P., Burbank, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,743,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• 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 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A surgical device that includes a first jaw having a distal end and a second jaw having a distal end. The second jaw is disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The first jaw is pivotably coupled to the second jaw. The surgical device also includes a biasing element, such as a spring, that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw. The device may also include a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw. The first driver is configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws. The device may also include at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element disposed within the second jaw, preferably a blade rotatably mounted on a wedge. A second driver is configured to move the cutting element and/or the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. By biasing the distal ends of the first and second jaws towards each other, the surgical device may prevent a section of tissue which is disposed between the first and second jaws from escaping out from between the distal ends of the first and second jaws.

Claims

1. A surgical device, comprising:

a first jaw having a distal end;

a second jaw having a distal end, wherein the second jaw is disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw, and wherein the first jaw is pivotably coupled to the second jaw; and

a biasing element that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element is a spring.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw have proximal ends, and the biasing element is a spring located between the proximal end of the first jaw and the proximal end of the second jaw.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws, the biasing element causes the distal end of the first jaw to contact the distal end of the second jaw prior to the first driver completing the closing of the jaws.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopping element that limits the distance that the proximal end of the first jaw may be separated from the proximal end of the second jaw by the biasing element.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw around the stopping element.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, when closing the jaws, the first jaw is initially pivotable relative to the second jaw around the stopping element and eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw around a point other than the stopping element.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the point other than the stopping element around which the first jaw is eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw is a point at which the distal end of the first jaw contacts the distal end of the second jaw.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the point other than the stopping element around which the first jaw is eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw around is a section of tissue disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first driver includes a threaded rod coupled to a first of a pair of rotatable bevel gears, a second of the pair of rotatable bevel gears coupled to one of a plurality of spur gears disposed in turning and gearing relationship with each other, the rotation of the first rotatable bevel gears thereby causing relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first driver includes a first drive socket connected to a respective one of the plurality of spur gears, wherein the first drive socket is rotated in a first direction to effect opening of the jaws and rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to effect closing of the jaws.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the first drive socket is configured to couple to a first rotatable drive shaft of an electro-mechanical driver, the electro-mechanical driver configured to rotate the first rotatable drive shaft.

14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting and stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting and stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the cutting and stapling element includes a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the blade is mounted to the wedge so as to move from a first position to a second position when the cutting element moves proximally.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the blade is rotatably mounted to the wedge, such that when the wedge and the blade move proximally, the blade moves from a first position, wherein a cutting edge of the blade is not exposed, to a second position, wherein the cutting edge of the blade is exposed.

20. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws;

a second driver configured to move at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws; and

an electro-mechanical driver including a first rotatable drive shaft adapted to drive the first driver and a second rotatable drive shaft adapted to drive the second driver.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the electro-mechanical driver includes at least one motor arrangement adapted to drive each of the first and second rotatable drive shafts.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the electro-mechanical driver includes a first motor arrangement adapted to drive the first rotatable drive shaft and a second motor arrangement adapted to drive the second rotatable drive shaft.

23. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws;

a second driver configured to move at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to at least one of cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws; and

an electro-mechanical driver adapted to drive each of the first driver and the second driver.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the electro-mechanical driver is adapted to independently drive each of the second driver and the first driver.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first jaw is curved such that the distal end of the first jaw curves towards the distal end of the second jaw.

26. An electro-mechanical surgical system, comprising:

an elongated shaft;

a first axially rotatable drive shaft disposed within the elongated shaft;

a surgical device configured to detachably couple to a distal end of the elongated shaft, wherein the surgical device includes;

a first jaw having a distal end;

a second jaw having a distal end, wherein the second jaw is disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw, and wherein the first jaw is pivotably coupled to the second jaw;

a biasing element that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw; and

a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws; and

a motor system configured to drive the first drive shaft.

27. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, wherein, when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws, the biasing element causes the distal end of the first jaw to contact the distal end of the second jaw prior to the first driver completing the closing of the jaws.

28. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, wherein the surgical device further comprises a stopping element that limits the distance that the proximal end of the first jaw may be separated from the proximal end of the second jaw by the biasing element.

29. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 28, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw around the stopping element.

30. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 29, wherein, when closing the jaws, the first jaw is initially pivotable relative to the second jaw around the stopping element and eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw around a point other than the stopping element.

31. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 30, wherein the point other than the stopping element around which the first jaw is eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw is a point at which the distal end of the first jaw contacts the distal end of the second jaw.

32. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 30, wherein the point other than the stopping element around which the first jaw is eventually pivotable relative to the second jaw around is a section of tissue disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

33. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, wherein the surgical device further comprises:

a cutting element disposed within the second jaw; and

a second driver configured to move the cutting element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

34. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, wherein the surgical device further comprises:

a stapling element disposed within the second jaw; and

a second driver configured to move the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

35. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, wherein the surgical device further comprises:

a cutting and stapling element disposed within the second jaw; and

a second driver configured to move the cutting and stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

36. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, further comprising a housing, wherein a proximal end of the elongated shaft extends from the housing.

37. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, further comprising a control system configured to control the motor system.

38. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 37, wherein the control system is disposed within the housing.

39. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 38, further comprising a remote control unit configured to communicate with the control system to control the motor system via the control system.

40. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 39, wherein the remote control unit includes at least one of a wired remote control unit and a wireless remote control unit.

41. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 26, further comprising a sensor corresponding to the first drive shaft, the sensor outputting a signal in response to and corresponding to a rotation of the first drive shaft.

42. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 41, wherein the control system is configured to determine, based on the output signal of the sensor, at least one of a rotational position and a direction of rotation of the first drive shaft.

43. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 37, wherein the control system includes a first memory unit.

44. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 43, wherein the first memory unit is configured to store a plurality of operating programs, at least one of the operating programs corresponding to the surgical device attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft.

45. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 44, wherein the control system is configured to identify the surgical instrument attached to distal end of the elongated shaft as the cutting and stapling device, wherein the cutting and stapling device is one of a plurality of types of surgical instruments attachable to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the control system being configured to at least one of read and select the operating program from the first memory unit corresponding to the cutting and stapling device.

46. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 45, wherein the control system is configured to identify the surgical device as the type of surgical instrument attached to the elongated shaft in accordance with a data read from a second memory unit disposed within the surgical device.

47. The electro-mechanical surgical system according to claim 46, further comprising a data cable disposed within the elongated shaft, the data cable being logically and electrically coupled to the control system and being logically and electrically coupleable to the second memory unit.

48. A method for operating a surgical device, the surgical device including a first jaw having a distal end and a second jaw having a distal end, wherein the second jaw is disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw, and wherein the first jaw is pivotably coupled to the second jaw, the method comprising the steps of:

opening the first jaw and the second jaw;

positioning a section of tissue between a first jaw and the second jaw;

biasing the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw; and

closing the first jaw and the second jaw so as to clamp the section of tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the biasing step includes biasing the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw via a spring.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein the opening step includes actuating a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw so as to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw, and wherein the closing step includes actuating the first driver in reverse so as to cause the first jaw and the second jaw to close.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein, when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws, the biasing element causes the distal end of the first jaw to contact the distal end of the second jaw prior to the first driver completing the closing of the jaws.

52. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of limiting, via a stopping element, the distance that the proximal end of the first jaw may be separated from the proximal end of the second jaw by the biasing element.

53. The method according to claim 52, further comprising the step of pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around the stopping element.

54. The method according to claim 52, wherein, when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws, the closing step includes the substeps of:

initially pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around the stopping element; and

eventually pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around a point other than the stopping element.

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein the substep of pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around a point other than the stopping element includes pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around a point at which the distal end of the first jaw contacts the distal end of the second jaw.

56. The method according to claim 54, wherein the substep of pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around a point other than the stopping element includes pivoting the first jaw relative to the second jaw around a section of tissue disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw.

57. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the steps of:

providing a cutting element within the second jaw; and

moving the cutting element proximally from a distal end toward a proximal end of the second jaw to cut the section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

58. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the steps of:

providing a stapling element disposed within the second jaw; and

moving the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward a proximal end of the second jaw to staple the section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

59. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the steps of:

providing a cutting and stapling element disposed within the second jaw; and

moving the cutting and stapling element proximally from a distal end toward a proximal end of the second jaw to cut and staple the section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

60. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the step of moving a blade of the cutting and stapling element from a first position to a second position when the cutting element moves proximally.

61. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the step of rotating a blade of the cutting and stapling element from a first position, wherein a cutting edge of the blade is not exposed, to a second position, wherein the cutting edge of the blade is exposed, when the cutting and stapling element moves proximally.

62. The method according to claim 50, wherein the opening and closing steps further include the substeps of:

providing an electro-mechanical driver having a motor arrangement;

coupling a first rotatable drive shaft to the motor arrangement;

coupling the first rotatable drive shaft to the first driver; and

driving the first driver.

63. The method according to claim 59, wherein the cutting and stapling step further includes the substeps of:

providing an electro-mechanical driver having a motor arrangement;

coupling a second rotatable drive shaft to the motor arrangement;

coupling the second rotatable drive shaft to the first driver; and

driving the second driver.

64. A surgical device, comprising:

a first jaw having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a second jaw having a distal end and a proximal end, the second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw, wherein the proximal end of the first jaw is pivotably coupled to the proximal end of the second jaw, and wherein the first jaw is additionally pivotable relative to the second jaw at a position between the distal and proximal ends of the first jaw.

65. The device according to claim 64, further comprising a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws.

66. The device according to claim 65, wherein the first driver includes a threaded rod coupled to a first of a pair of rotatable bevel gears, a second of the pair of rotatable bevel gears coupled to one of a plurality of spur gears disposed in turning and gearing relationship with each other, the rotation of the first rotatable bevel gears thereby causing relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw.

67. The device according to claim 66, wherein the first driver includes a first drive socket connected to a respective one of the plurality of spur gears, wherein the first drive socket is rotated in a first direction to effect opening of the jaws and rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to effect closing of the jaws.

68. The device according to claim 67, wherein the first drive socket is configured to couple to a first rotatable drive shaft of an electro-mechanical driver, the electro-mechanical driver configured to rotate the first rotatable drive shaft.

69. The device according to claim 64, further comprising a cutting element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

70. The device according to claim 64, further comprising a stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

71. The device according to claim 64, further comprising a cutting and stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting and stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

72. The device according to claim 71, wherein the cutting and stapling element includes a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.

73. A surgical device, comprising:

a first jaw having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a second jaw having a distal end and a proximal end, the second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw, wherein the first jaw is curved such that the distal end of the first jaw is curved toward to the distal end of the second jaw.

74. The surgical device of claim 73, wherein the first jaw is formed of a resilient, deformable material such that, when a sufficient clamping force is exerted at the distal ends of the first and second jaws, the first jaw is configured to at least partially straighten.

75. The device according to claim 73, further comprising a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw, the first driver being configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws.

76. The device according to claim 75, wherein the first driver includes a threaded rod coupled to a first of a pair of rotatable bevel gears, a second of the pair of rotatable bevel gears coupled to one of a plurality of spur gears disposed in turning and gearing relationship with each other, the rotation of the first rotatable bevel gears thereby causing relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw.

77. The device according to claim 76, wherein the first driver includes a first drive socket connected to a respective one of the plurality of spur gears, wherein the first drive socket is rotated in a first direction to effect opening of the jaws and rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to effect closing of the jaws.

78. The device according to claim 77, wherein the first drive socket is configured to couple to a first rotatable drive shaft of an electro-mechanical driver, the electro-mechanical driver configured to rotate the first rotatable drive shaft.

79. The device according to claim 73, further comprising a cutting element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

80. The device according to claim 73, further comprising a stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

81. The device according to claim 73, further comprising a cutting and stapling element disposed within the second jaw;

and

a second driver configured to move the cutting and stapling element proximally from a distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut and staple a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

82. The device according to claim 81, wherein the cutting and stapling element includes a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.