Battery powered surgical instrument

• US 20060278681A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Krehel, Gregg, Viola, Frank J., Pedros, Guido
• Granted Patent: US 7,461,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• 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 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• 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 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• 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 stapler has a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger. The stapler also has a drive assembly with a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end. The cam member is positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler. The trigger is operatively connected to a power cell. The power cell is operably connected to a motor of the drive assembly. The manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cell such that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation of the cam member relative to the anvil. The stapler also has a channel for supporting the staple cartridge and the motor of the drive assembly controls the actuation sled supported within the cartridge. The actuation sled urges the plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member through an actuating stroke;

b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples;

d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge;

e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge;

f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler;

g) wherein the trigger is operatively connected to a power cell, the power cell being operably connected to a motor of the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cell such that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation of the cam member relative to the anvil;

h) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge; and

i) the motor of the drive assembly controlling the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, wherein the actuation sled urges the plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

2. The stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is a nickel cadmium battery.

3. The stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is an alkaline battery.

4. The stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is a lithium battery.

5. The stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is a nickel metal hydride battery.

6. The stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is disposable with the surgical stapler.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the power cell is replaceable from the surgical stapler.

8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a protective housing, and wherein at least one of the motor of the drive assembly and power source are in the protective housing.

9. The surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein the protective housing is in the stationary handle.

10. The surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein the protective housing outside the stationary handle connected to the stationary handle.

11. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the motor of the drive assembly and the power source are both in the protective housing.

12. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprising a motor having a motor drive shaft, the motor drive shaft being connected to a first gear;

wherein the drive assembly further comprises a second gear being connected to the actuation sled, wherein upon actuation the motor drives the motor drive shaft to spin the first gear, the first gear being in contact with the second gear, wherein upon rotation of the first gear, the first gear rotates the second gear to rotate a second drive shaft, the second drive shaft moving the actuation sled to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge.

13. The stapler of claim 12, wherein the second drive shaft is a drive screw.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprising a motor having a motor drive shaft, the motor drive shaft being connected to a first gear;

wherein the drive assembly further comprises a rack being connected to the actuation sled, wherein upon actuation the motor drives the motor drive shaft to spin the first gear, the first gear being in contact with the rack, wherein upon rotation of the first gear, the first gear rotates and moves the rack distally, the rack moving the actuation sled distally to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 14, wherein the motor is disposed outside of the stationary handle in a protective housing.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 15, wherein the motor drive shaft extends through the stationary handle.

17. The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein the power cell is in the protective housing.

18. The surgical stapler of claim 15, wherein the motor is reversible, and wherein upon reverse actuation the motor drives the motor drive shaft to spin the first gear in an opposite direction, the first gear being in contact with the rack, wherein upon rotation of the first gear in the opposite direction, the first gear rotates and moves the rack proximally, the rack moving the actuation sled proximally to return the actuation sled to an initial position.

19. The surgical stapler of claim 18, wherein the motor automatically spins the first gear in an opposite direction after the plurality of staples are urged from the staple cartridge.

20. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprising a motor having a motor drive shaft, the motor drive shaft being connected to a first gear;

wherein the drive assembly further comprises a second gear being connected to a drive screw, wherein upon actuation the motor drives the motor drive shaft to spin the first gear, the first gear being in contact with the second gear, wherein upon rotation of the first gear, the first gear rotates the second gear to rotate the drive screw, the drive screw moving the actuation sled to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge.

21. A surgical stapler comprising:

a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member through an actuating stroke;

b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples;

d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge;

e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge, the actuation sled being connected to a drive rack;

f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler;

g) wherein the trigger is operatively connected to a power cell, the power cell being operably connected to a motor of the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cell such that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation of the cam member relative to the anvil;

h) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge;

i) the motor of the drive assembly controlling the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, wherein the actuation sled urges the plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge; and

j) a protective casing, the protecting casing housing the power cell and the motor in the protective casing being connected to the stationary handle, wherein the motor has a motor drive shaft that extends through the stationary handle to connect with the drive rack.

22. The stapler of claim 21, wherein the power cell is selected from the group consisting of a nickel cadmium battery, an alkaline battery, a lithium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, and any combination thereof.

23. The stapler of claim 21, wherein the power cell is disposable with the surgical stapler.

24. The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein the power cell is replaceable from the protective housing.

25. The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein at least one of the motor of the drive assembly and power source are in the protective housing, and wherein at least one of the motor and the power cell is in the stationary handle.

26. The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein the protective housing is in the stationary handle.

27. The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein the motor is reversible, and wherein upon reverse actuation the motor drives the motor drive shaft to move the rack in an opposite direction, wherein the rack moves the actuation sled proximally to return the actuation sled to an initial position.

28. The surgical stapler of claim 21, wherein the motor drive shaft is connected to a gear, the gear contacting the drive shaft to move the drive shaft distally.

29. A surgical stapler comprising:

a handle assembly including a trigger;

a clamping device having a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon; and

a controller configured to determine an occurrence of clamping by the anvil and the staple cartridge, the controller controlling firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge;

wherein when the trigger is actuated the controller delays firing of the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge to provide for a predetermined time period of tissue compression of the tissue between the anvil and staple cartridge and wherein the controller outputs a control signal to allow firing once the predetermined time period is reached; and

a motor having a geared assembly, wherein the motor is disposed in the handle and configured to receive the control signal from the controller, the motor being operatively connected to the staple cartridge to fire the staples from the staple cartridge once the control signal is received.

30. The surgical stapler of claim 29, wherein the motor is connected to a power cell selected from the group consisting of an alkaline battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium battery a nickel metal hydride battery, and any combination thereof.