Surgical instrument incorporating EAP blocking lockout mechanism
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an elongate shaft;
a control member received for movement in the elongate shaft;
an end effector operatively configured to actuate in response to a received control motion from the control member;
a handle proximally attached to the elongate shaft to position the end effector through a surgical opening;
a control actuator attached for movement to the handle and coupled to the control member, the control actuator operatively configured to move from a first position to a second position to produce the control motion upon user input;
control circuitry operatively configured to generate an enabling signal; and
an electrically powered actuator biased into locking contact with the control actuator in the first position to prevent movement to the second position and biased to be responsive to the enabling signal to unlock from the control actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic procedures incorporates a handle that produces separate closing and firing motions to actuate an end effector. The handle produces multiple firing strokes to reduce the required amount of force required to fire (i.e., staple and sever) the end effector. A linked transmission reduces the required handle longitudinal length, yet achieves a rigid, strong configuration when straightened for firing. One or more electrically activated lockout mechanisms, such as electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators, are biased to prevent firing unless activated. One lockout is a spring-biased side pawl firing mechanism enabled by an EAP block actuator. Another is a firing trigger EAP lock. Yet another is a closure yoke EAP lock. Yet a further one is a manual retraction EAP lock that locks the firing mechanism. Thereby, various sensed or commanded inputs may be incorporated to prevent inadvertent firing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an elongate shaft;
a control member received for movement in the elongate shaft;
an end effector operatively configured to actuate in response to a received control motion from the control member;
a handle proximally attached to the elongate shaft to position the end effector through a surgical opening;
a control actuator attached for movement to the handle and coupled to the control member, the control actuator operatively configured to move from a first position to a second position to produce the control motion upon user input;
control circuitry operatively configured to generate an enabling signal; and
an electrically powered actuator biased into locking contact with the control actuator in the first position to prevent movement to the second position and biased to be responsive to the enabling signal to unlock from the control actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector comprising pivotally opposing jaws;
an elongate shaft attached to the end effector;
a reciprocating member received by the elongate shaft and coupled to the end effector for effecting closure thereof; and
a handle comprising;
a proximal actuator connected to the reciprocating member, a locking member attached for movement to the handle biased into locking engagement to the proximal actuator, an electroactive polymer actuator connected to the proximal actuator responsive to an electrical signal to unlock the locking member, and circuitry operatively configured to selectively produce the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector comprising a lower jaw and a pivotally attached upper jaw;
an elongate shaft attached to the lower jaw;
a staple cartridge received in the lower jaw;
a firing member received by the elongate shaft distally terminating in a cutting surface position to traverse the staple cartridge; and
a handle comprising;
a proximal actuator coupled to the firing member, a locking member attached for movement to the handle biased into locking engagement to the proximal actuator, an electrically powered actuator connected to the proximal actuator responsive to an electrical signal to unlock the locking member, and circuitry operatively configured to selectively produce the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification