SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS WITH CONTROL FEATURES OPERABLE WITH ONE HAND

• US 20110006099A1
• Filed: 09/09/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hall, Steven G., Blair, Gregory B., Ortiz, Mark S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Weizman, Patrick A., Zwolinski, Andrew M., Hueil, Geoffrey C., Messerly, Jeffrey D., Bruewer, Dean B., Tanguay, Randall J., Hoffman, Douglas B., Robertson, Galen C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,973,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00946 malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2901 Details of shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2906 Multiple forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/00 : Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers drapes specially adapted for instruments A61B46/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 : Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle and a stationary handle housing, said movable handle being movable through actuation strokes relative to said stationary handle housing;

an actuation shaft supported at least in part within said handle housing and mounted to generate actuation motions in response to manipulation of said movable handle;

an elongated body having a distal end configured to be operably attached to a disposable loading unit and a proximal end interfacing with said actuation shaft to transfer said actuation motions from said actuation shaft to said disposable loading unit; and

an articulation system operably supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said elongated body to selectively apply articulation motions thereto in response to manipulation of an articulation trigger operably supported adjacent said movable handle such that said articulation trigger may be operated by a same hand manipulating said movable handle.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said articulation trigger interfaces with said articulation system such that when said articulation trigger is moved in a first direction, said articulation system applies a first articulation motion and when said articulation trigger is moved in a second direction, said articulation system applies a second articulation motion.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is operably supported relative to said handle assembly to enable said elongated body and disposable loading unit to be selectively rotated about an elongated axis.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated body further comprises an articulation link movably supported therein and configured for attachment to an articulation portion of the disposable loading unit.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an articulation bar constrained to move longitudinally within said handle housing and interfacing with said articulation trigger such that when said articulation trigger is moved in a first direction, said articulation bar transfers a first articulation motion to said articulation link and when said articulation trigger is moved in a second direction, said articulation bar transfers a second articulation motion to said articulation link.

6. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1 wherein said articulation trigger is configured to be actuated by a user'"'"'s index finger when the user is grasping a portion of the stationary handle housing.

7. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 6 wherein said articulation trigger has a ring portion for receiving a portion of the user'"'"'s index finger therein.

8. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle and a handle housing, the movable handle being movable through actuation strokes relative to said handle housing;

an actuation shaft supported at least in part within said handle housing and mounted for longitudinal movement therein in response to manipulation of said movable handle through said actuation strokes;

an elongated body protruding from said handle housing, said elongated body having a distal end configured to be operably attached to a disposable loading unit and a proximal end interfacing with said actuation shaft to transfer said actuation motions from said actuation shaft to said disposable loading unit;

an articulation system operably supported by said handle assembly and interfacing with said elongated body to selectively apply articulation motions thereto; and

a selector arrangement interfacing with said movable handle, said actuation shaft and said articulation system such that when said selector arrangement is in a firing orientation, manipulation of said movable handle through said actuation strokes actuates said actuation shaft and when said selector arrangement is in an articulation orientation, manipulation of said movable handle through said actuation strokes actuates said articulation system.

9. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 8 wherein said elongated body is operably supported relative to said handle assembly to enable said elongated body and disposable loading unit to be selectively rotated about an elongated axis.

10. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 8 wherein said elongated body further comprises an articulation link movably supported therein and configured for attachment to an articulation portion of the disposable loading unit.

11. An articulation mechanism for a surgical stapling apparatus having a handle housing and an elongated body that protrudes from the handle housing and is configured to be operably coupled to an articulatable disposable loading unit that is responsive to axial motions transmitting by the elongated body, said articulation mechanism comprising:

a translation member movably supported within a portion of the handle housing for selective longitudinal movement therein, said translation member interfacing with the elongated body; and

a rotatable cam disc rotatably supported by the handle assembly and interfacing with said translation member such that rotation of said cam disc in a first direction moves said translation member in a first axial direction and rotation of said rotatable cam disc in a second direction moves said translation member in a second axial direction.

12. The articulation mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a thumb tab coupled to said rotatable cam disc for selectively applying rotational motions thereto in said first and second directions.

13. The articulation mechanism of claim 11 wherein said rotatable cam disc is operably supported in a rotation knob that is operably coupled to the elongated body and is rotatably attached to the handle housing of the surgical stapling apparatus for selective rotation about an elongated axis relative thereto.

14. The articulation mechanism of claim 11 wherein the elongated body has articulation link movably supported therein, said articulation link coupled to translation member and being configured for attachment to an articulation portion of the disposable loading unit.

15. The articulation mechanism of claim 11 wherein said translation member is constrained to move axially within said handle assembly and has a pin protruding therefrom configured to move within an arcuate cam slot within said cam disc such that rotation of said cam disc moves said translation member axially within said handle assembly.

16. The articulation mechanism of claim 15 wherein said pin is fabricated from a non-abrasive material.

17. An articulation mechanism for a surgical stapling apparatus having a handle housing and an elongated body that protrudes from the handle housing and is configured to be operably coupled to an articulatable disposable loading unit that is responsive to axial motions transmitted by the elongated body, said articulation mechanism comprising:

a translation member movably supported within a portion of the handle housing for selective longitudinal movement therein, said translation member interfacing with the elongated body;

an articulation ring rotatably supported within a portion of the handle assembly and operably interfacing with said translation member such that rotation of said articulation ring within said handle housing in a first direction moves said translation member in a first axial direction and rotation of said articulation ring in a second direction moves said translation member in a second axial direction; and

an articulation knob movably supported by said handle housing and interfacing with said articulation ring to impart rotary motions thereto.

18. The articulation mechanism of claim 17 wherein a proximal end of said articulation ring has radial gear teeth thereon and wherein said articulation knob has a spur gear attached thereto in meshing engagement with said radial gear teeth.

19. The articulation mechanism of claim 17 further comprising another articulation ring supported within said articulation ring and in threaded engagement therewith, said translation member coupled to said another articulation ring and constrained to only move axially relative to said handle housing such that as said articulation ring is rotated, said another articulation ring causes said translation member to move axially within said handle housing.

20. The articulation mechanism of claim 17 wherein said translation member is constrained to only move axially relative to said handle housing and has an articulation pin engaged therewith, said articulation pin received in a cam slot in said articulation ring such that as said articulation ring is rotated, interaction between said articulation pin and said cam slot causes said translation member to move axially within said handle housing.