SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION JOINT COVER

• US 20080296343A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Uth, Joshua R., Schall, Christopher J., Zerkle, Jason E., Jaworek, Gary S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector, and a joint, wherein the end effector can be moved relative to the shaft about the joint. In various embodiments, the joint can include a cover configured to be positioned intermediate the end effector and the shaft. In at least one embodiment, the cover can be connected to at least one of the end effector and the shaft and can be configured to at least partially surround the joint in order to prevent soft tissue positioned adjacent to the joint from being pulled into and/or pinched by the joint.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector including an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure mechanism configured to transmit a closing force to said anvil, said closure mechanism comprising;

a pivot;

a first portion operably engaged with said anvil; and

a second portion rotatably connected to said first portion about said pivot, wherein said second portion is slidable relative to said shaft;

a joint, wherein said end effector is configured to be moved relative to said shaft about said joint; and

a flexible cover configured to at least partially surround said joint.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is configured to at least partially surround said pivot.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member, wherein said retaining member is configured to retain said flexible cover to at least one of said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said retaining member includes one of a clamp, a band, a ring, and a clip.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said flexible cover comprises a first end and a second end, the surgical instrument further comprising a first retaining member and a second retaining member, wherein said first retaining member is configured to attach said first end of said flexible cover to said shaft, and wherein said second retaining member is configured to attach said second end of said flexible cover to said end effector.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member, wherein one of said end effector and said shaft includes a groove, and wherein said retaining member is configured to secure at least a portion of said cover within said groove.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member, wherein one of said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism includes a groove, and wherein said retaining member is configured to secure at least a portion of said cover within said groove.

8. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, the method comprising:

obtaining the surgical instrument of claim 1;

sterilizing the surgical instrument; and

storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.

9. A disposable loading unit for a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including a shaft, the disposable loading unit comprising:

an end effector including an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position;

a closure mechanism configured to transmit a closing force to said anvil, said closure mechanism comprising;

a pivot;

a first portion operably engaged with said anvil; and

a second portion rotatably connected to said first portion about said pivot, wherein said second portion is slidable relative to the shaft;

a joint, wherein said end effector is configured to be moved relative to the shaft about said joint; and

a flexible cover configured to at least partially surround said joint.

10. The disposable loading unit of claim 9, wherein said flexible cover is configured to at least partially surround said pivot.

11. The disposable loading unit of claim 9, further comprising a retaining member, wherein said retaining member is configured to retain said flexible cover to at least one of said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism.

12. The disposable loading unit of claim 11, wherein said retaining member includes one of a clamp, a band, a ring, and a clip.

13. The disposable loading unit of claim 9, further comprising a retaining member, wherein one of said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism includes a groove, and wherein said retaining member is configured to secure at least a portion of said cover within said groove.

14. A cover assembly for a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument includes a shaft, a joint, a closure mechanism, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is configured to be moved relative to the shaft about the joint, and wherein closure mechanism is configured to be moved relative to the shaft and the end effector, the cover assembly comprising:

a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the joint, wherein said sleeve includes a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is configured be engaged with at least one of the shaft and the closure member, and wherein said second end is configured to be engaged with at least one of the end effector and the closure member; and

a retaining member configured to attach said sleeve to at least one of the shaft, the closure member, and the end effector.

15. The cover assembly of claim 14, wherein said sleeve is configured to entirely surround the joint.

16. The cover assembly of claim 14, wherein said retaining member includes one of a clamp, a band, a ring, and a clip.

17. The cover assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second retaining member configured to attach said sleeve to at least one of the shaft, the closure member, and the end effector.

18. The cover assembly of claim 14, wherein one of the end effector, the closure member, and the shaft includes a groove, and wherein said retaining member is configured to secure at least a portion of said sleeve within the groove.