Anastomotic ring applier device utilizing an electroactive polymer

• US 20060253135A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,462,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0408 Rivets other bone rivets A61B17/68; rivets for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30433, A61F2220/0041
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible

Abstract

A surgical instrument is operable to deploy an anastomotic ring device. The instrument comprises a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive and deploy the anastomotic ring through an actuating force. The instrument further comprises an electroactive polymer that is configured to receive voltage from a power source. The electroactive polymer is configured to convert the voltage to a mechanical actuating force. The electroactive polymer is further configured to apply the actuating force to the ring deployment mechanism to deploy the anastomotic ring.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for implanting an anastomotic ring device, comprising:

(i) a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive and deploy an anastomotic ring under a mechanical actuation force;

(ii) a power source for generating voltage;

(iii) an electroactive polymer in communication with the ring deployment mechanism and operatively configured to produce the mechanical actuation force in response to the generated voltage.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electroactive polymer comprises a conductive material applied to a polymer substrate.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the polymer substrate is configured to expand in one direction and contract in a perpendicular direction in response to inducement of voltage across the electroactive polymer.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an actuator moveable from a first, unactuated position to a second, actuated position, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the power source to induce voltage across the electroactive polymer at the second, actuated position.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the ring deployment mechanism comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the electroactive polymer is configured to communicate actuating force to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, further comprising a second electroactive polymer.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the second electroactive polymer is configured to communicate actuating force to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, further comprising a second actuator moveable from a first, unactuated position to a second, actuated position, wherein the second actuator is operable to cause the power source to induce voltage across the second electroactive polymer at the second, actuated position.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electroactive polymer comprises a plurality of electroactive polymer sheets stacked atop one another to generate an additive force.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism is attached to a first end of the second electroactive polymer by a third tube slideably contained within the shaft, wherein the second electroactive polymer is further attached at a second end of the second electroactive polymer to a stationary element of the surgical instrument.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein inducement of voltage across the second electroactive polymer is configured to cause the third tube to move proximally, forcing the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism proximally.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism comprises a plurality of fingers that are configured to move proximally and articulate outwardly in response to the actuation force.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism comprises a plurality of fingers that are adapted to move distally and articulate outwardly in response to the actuation force.

11. A surgical instrument for implanting an anastomotic ring device, comprising:

(i) a handle;

(ii) an elongate shaft comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being connected to the handle;

(iii) a ring deployment mechanism located on the distal portion of the elongate shaft, the ring deployment mechanism comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion responsive respectively to opposing proximal and distal mechanical actuation forces;

(iv) a power source operatively configured to generate voltage;

(v) a first electroactive polymer connected to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and operatively configured to produce the proximal mechanical actuation force in response to the generated voltage; and

;

(vi) a second electroactive polymer connected to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and operatively configured to produce the distal mechanical actuation force in response to the generated voltage.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the power source is housed in the handle.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the ring deployment mechanism further comprises a central portion attached to a stationary first tube.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism is attached to a first end of the first electroactive polymer by a second tube slideably contained within the shaft, wherein the first electroactive polymer is further attached at a second end of the first electroactive polymer to a stationary element of the surgical instrument.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein inducement of voltage across the first electroactive polymer is configured to cause the second tube to move distally, forcing the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism distally.

20. A surgical instrument for implanting an anastomotic ring device, comprising:

(i) a handle;

(ii) an elongate shaft comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being connected to the handle;

(iii) a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive and deploy the anastomotic ring;

(iv) a power source adapted to generate voltage;

(v) an electroactive polymer in communication with the ring deployment mechanism and adapted to receive voltage from the power source and convert it to mechanical actuation force, wherein the electroactive polymer is configured to communicate the mechanical actuation force to the ring deployment mechanism.