APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES

• US 20130334281A1
• Filed: 04/17/2013
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Williams, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• 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 2017/0038 Simultaneous actuation of two tools by pushing one button or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• 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 2017/2931 with releasable head

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electromechanical surgical systems configured for use with removable disposable loading units and/or single use loading units for clamping, cutting and/or stapling tissue. A force transmitting assembly of surgical instrument transmits a rotation of a rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument to the rotation receiving member of the end effector. A distal neck assembly of the surgical instrument includes at least one gear system configured to convert a rotational input of the rotatable drive member into at least two output forces to the end effector; and an articulating neck assembly interconnecting the tubular body and the distal neck housing. The articulating neck assembly is configured to enable off-axis articulation of the distal neck assembly. The rotatable drive member extends through the articulating neck assembly.

Claims

1. An electromechanical surgical system, comprising:

a surgical instrument including an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with a shaft assembly, the surgical instrument having at least one rotatable drive member;

an end effector configured to perform at least one function; and

the shaft assembly being arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical device, the shaft assembly including;

a transmission housing configured and adapted for selective connection to the connecting portion of the surgical device and to be in operative communication with each of the at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical device;

an outer tubular body having a proximal end supported by the transmission housing and a distal end configured and adapted for operative connection with the end effector;

a distal neck housing for interconnecting a rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a rotation receiving member supported in the end effector, wherein the distal neck housing includes a first end that is connectable to one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a second end that is connectable to the rotation receiving member of the end effector, wherein the force transmitting assembly transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument to the rotation receiving member of the end effector, the distal neck assembly including;

at least one gear system configured to convert a rotational input of the rotatable drive member into at least two output forces to the end effector; and

an articulating neck assembly interconnecting the tubular body and the distal neck housing, wherein the articulating neck assembly is configured to enable off-axis articulation of the distal neck assembly, and wherein the rotatable drive member extends through the articulating neck assembly.

2. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein a first output force of the at least one gear system of the distal neck housing results in a firing of the end effector.

3. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 2, wherein a first output force of the at least one gear system of the distal neck housing results in a rotation of the end effector relative to the shaft assembly.

4. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 3, wherein the distal neck housing non-rotatably and slidably supports a lock collar, wherein the lock collar is movable between a first position wherein the first output force of the at least one gear system of the distal neck housing results in the firing of the end effector, and wherein the first output force of the at least one gear system of the distal neck housing results in the rotation of the end effector relative to the shaft assembly.

5. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 4, wherein the distal neck housing includes:

an outer tubular housing defining at least one tooth extending radially inward therefrom; and

a first planetary gear system supported in the outer tubular housing, the first planetary gear system includes;

a first sun gear drivable by the one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument;

a ring gear rotatably supported in the outer tubular housing;

at least one first planet gear interposed and inter-engaging the first sun gear and the ring gear; and

a carrier rotatably supported in the outer tubular housing, the carrier including a respective stem rotatably supporting each first planet gear;

wherein when the first sun gear rotates each first planet gear about an axis of rotation of first sun gear, the end effector is fired; and

wherein when the first sun gear rotates each first planet gear about a respective axis of rotation, the end effector is rotated.

6. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 5, wherein the distal neck housing includes:

a crown gear non-rotatably connected to the carrier; and

a lock collar gear axially, non-rotatably and slidably supported in the outer tubular housing,

wherein the lock collar gear includes a first position wherein the lock collar gear engages the crown gear and prevents the crown gear from rotating, wherein non-rotation of the crown gear permits the rotation of the end effector, and

wherein the lock collar gear includes a second position wherein the lock collar gear is disengaged from the crown gear and permits the crown gear to rotating, wherein rotation of the crown gear permits the firing of the end effector.

7. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 6, wherein the distal neck housing includes:

a rotation hub non-rotatably supported in outer tubular housing; and

a second planetary gear system supported in the rotation hub, the second planetary gear system includes;

a second sun gear non-rotatably connected to the carrier; and

at least one second planet gear rotatably supported in the rotation hub and inter-engaged with the second sun gear; and

a firing connector connected to one of the at least one second planet gear, wherein the firing connector is configured to engage a force receiving member of the end effector;

wherein when the carrier rotates, the second sun gear is rotated to rotate the at least one second planet gear and to fire the end effector.

8. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument further includes:

at least one drive motor supported in the instrument housing and being configured to rotate the at least one rotatable drive member;

a battery disposed within the instrument housing for powering the at least one drive motor; and

a circuit board disposed within the instrument housing for controlling power delivered from the battery to the motor.

9. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the end effector includes:

an upper jaw and a lower jaw, at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw being movable in relation to the other of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

10. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 9, further comprising:

at least one surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

11. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 9, further comprising a drive beam translatable through at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw to move the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw.

12. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the end effector includes:

an upper jaw and a lower jaw, at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw being movable in relation to the other of the upper jaw and the lower jaw;

a cartridge assembly supported in the lower jaw, the cartridge assembly including a plurality of staples therein;

at least one surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, the at least one surgical buttress secured to the at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw by at least one suture, the at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw being configured to receive a portion of the at least one suture.

13. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 12, wherein the lower jaw of the end effector is configured to selectively receive a cartridge assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly includes:

a cartridge body defining a longitudinally extending knife slot;

a plurality of staples disposed in individual staple retaining slots formed in the cartridge body, wherein the staple retaining slots are arranged in multiple longitudinally extending rows disposed on opposed lateral sides of the knife slot;

an actuation sled slidably supported in the cartridge body and being configured to expel at least a portion of the plurality of staples from the cartridge body upon a distal movement of the actuation sled from a proximal-most position; and

a knife sled slidably supported in the cartridge body at a location proximal of the actuation sled, wherein the knife sled includes a knife blade extending into the knife slot;

wherein the drive beam engages the knife sled and the actuation sled when the cartridge assembly is disposed in the lower jaw and when the drive beam is advanced.

14. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 13, wherein the actuation sled of the cartridge assembly remains in a distally advanced position following any retraction of the drive beam.

15. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 13, wherein the knife sled of the cartridge assembly includes a lock-out spring extending therefrom, wherein the lock-out spring of the knife sled engages a lock-out notch defined in the cartridge body to inhibit advancement of the knife sled.

16. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 15, wherein, when the actuation sled and the knife sled are in a proximal-most position, the actuation sled blocks engagement of the lock-out spring of the knife sled with the lock-out notch of the cartridge body.

17. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 16, wherein the knife sled of the cartridge assembly is refracted upon any retraction of the drive beam.

18. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 17, wherein the drive beam includes a lock clip extending therefrom, wherein the lock clip of the drive beam engages the knife sled upon any distal advancement of the drive beam such that the knife sled retracts upon a retraction of the drive beam.

19. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 18, wherein the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector includes a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw, wherein the drive beam is threadably supported on the drive screw, whereby rotation of the drive screw results in axial translation of the drive beam.

20. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector includes a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw, wherein the drive beam is threadably supported on the drive screw, whereby rotation of the drive screw results in axial translation of the drive beam.

21. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one force transmitting assembly of the shaft assembly includes a first gear train system interconnecting the at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector, wherein the first gear train system varies at least one of:

a rate of rotation between the at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector; and

an axis of rotation between the at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector.

22. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 21, wherein the shaft assembly includes an articulating neck assembly, and wherein the first gear train system is disposed proximal of the articulating neck assembly.

23. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 22, wherein the shaft assembly includes a neck housing disposed distal of the articulating neck assembly, wherein the distal neck housing supports a neck first gear train of the at least one force transmitting assembly, wherein the neck first gear train interconnects an output of the first gear train system with the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector, wherein the neck first gear train varies at least one of:

a rate of rotation between the output of the first gear train system and the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector; and

an axis of rotation between the output of the first gear train system and the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector.

24. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 21, wherein the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector includes a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw, wherein the drive beam is threadably supported on the drive screw, whereby rotation of the drive screw results in axial translation of the drive beam.

25. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one rotation receiving member of the end effector includes a drive screw rotatably supported in the lower jaw, wherein the drive beam is threadably supported on the drive screw, whereby rotation of the drive screw results in axial translation of the drive beam.

26. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 22, wherein the at least one force transmitting assembly of the shaft assembly includes a second gear train system interconnecting another of the at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a rotation hub rotatably supported at a distal end of the neck housing, wherein the second gear train system varies at least one of:

a rate of rotation between the another at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and the rotation hub of the shaft assembly; and

an axis of rotation between the another at least one rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and the rotation hub of the shaft assembly.

27. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 21, wherein the shaft assembly further includes:

an articulating neck assembly supported at a distal end of the outer tube;

a distal neck housing supported at a distal end of the articulating neck assembly, and first and second diametrically opposed articulation cables extending at least partially along the neck assembly, wherein each articulation cable includes a distal end anchored to the distal neck housing, and a proximal end extending into the outer tube, the proximal end of each articulation cable being secured to a respective first and second rack, each rack being operatively connected to one another by a spur gear,

wherein axial displacement of the first rack in a first direction results in;

axial displacement of the respective first articulation cable in the first direction;

articulation of the neck assembly in a first off-axis direction; and

axial displacement of the second articulation cable in a direction opposite to the first direction.

28. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 27, wherein the shaft assembly further includes:

a threaded rod extending proximally from the first rack; and

a threaded shaft threadably connected to the threaded rod extending from the first rack, the threaded shaft being connected to another at least one drive member of the surgical instrument,

wherein rotation of the another at least one drive member of the surgical instrument imparts rotation to the threaded shaft and, in turn, axial displacement of the threaded rod and first rack.

29. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 21, wherein the shaft assembly further includes:

an articulating neck assembly supported at a distal end of the outer tube, the neck assembly defining a central axis and being articulatable in a first plane;

a distal neck housing supported at a distal end of the articulating neck assembly, first and second diametrically opposed articulation cables extending at least partially along the neck assembly;

a first drive cable extending at least partially along the neck assembly and defining a first drive axis spaced a radial distance from the central axis, the first drive axis being defined by a first drive plane extending orthogonal to the first plane; and

a second drive cable extending at least partially along the neck assembly and defining a second drive axis spaced a radial distance from the central axis, the second drive axis being defined by a second drive plane extending orthogonal to the first plane;

wherein the first drive cable and the second drive cable are diametrically opposed to one another.