JAW CLOSURE FEATURE FOR END EFFECTOR OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140239036A1
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Zerkle, Jason E., Simms, Robert J., Hoffman, Douglas B., Dunki-Jacobs, Adam R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,839,421 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots

Abstract

An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a closure ring. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw has a proximal end with a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface distal of the first ramped surface. The closure ring is coupled with the second jaw to engage the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw. The closure ring translates from a proximal position to a distal position to engage the first ramped surface of the second jaw and then the second ramped surface of the second jaw. The camming engagement of the closure ring with the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw pivots the second jaw toward the first jaw. The closure ring may also provide camming engagement to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw.

Claims

1. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:

(a) a first jaw;

(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature, wherein the second engagement feature is distal to the first engagement feature; and

(c) a closure ring coupled with the second jaw, wherein the closure ring is translatable relative to the first jaw, wherein the closure ring is configured to first engage the first engagement feature and then engage the second engagement feature of the second jaw as the closure ring translates distally relative to the first jaw to thereby pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the first engagement feature comprises a first ramped surface on a central portion of the proximal end of the second jaw.

3. The end effector of claim 2, wherein the second engagement feature comprises a second ramped surface on at least one side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw.

4. The end effector of claim 3, wherein the proximal end of the second jaw has a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the second side portion is opposed to the first side portion,

wherein the second ramped surface is positioned on the first side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw,

wherein the second engagement feature further comprises a third ramped surface, wherein the third ramped surface is positioned on the second side portion of the proximal end of the second jaw.

5. The end effector of claim 3, wherein the closure ring is configured to transfer a mechanical load from the first engagement feature to the second engagement feature when the closure ring translates distally.

6. The end effector of claim 3, wherein the proximal end of the second jaw comprises a third engagement feature, wherein the third engagement feature comprises a wall extending upwardly from a distal end of the first ramped surface.

7. The end effector of claim 6, wherein the wall comprises a curved profile.

8. The end effector of claim 6, wherein a distal end of the closure ring comprises a wall, wherein the wall of the closure ring is configured to engage the third engagement feature of the second jaw after the closure ring has engaged the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature.

9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein the closure ring is configured to transfer a mechanical load from the second engagement feature to the third engagement feature when the closure ring translates distally.

10. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the second jaw comprises a ramped surface, wherein the ramped surface slopes proximally downwardly on a side of the proximal end of the second jaw.

11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein the closure ring comprises a protrusion extending upwardly such that the protrusion is configured to engage the ramped surface of the second jaw.

12. The end effector of claim 11, wherein the protrusion of the closure ring is configured to translate along the ramped surface of the second jaw when the closure ring is translated from a distal position to a proximal position, wherein the closure ring is operable to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw when the closure ring is translated from the distal position to the proximal position.

13. The end effector of claim 12, further comprising a shaft, wherein the end effector is coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises an articulation feature operable to translate the end effector from a first position where the end effector and shaft are longitudinally aligned to a second position where a longitudinal axis of the end effector is obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

14. The end effector of claim 13, further comprising a handle portion, wherein the handle portion is coupled to the shaft, wherein the handle portion comprises an actuator operable to translate the closure ring.

15. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the end effector is operable to staple tissue between the first and second jaws.

16. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:

(a) a first jaw comprising a laterally facing channel on a side surface of a proximal portion of the first jaw;

(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw comprises a medially extending protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to translate within the channel of the first jaw; and

(c) a closure ring configured to engage the second jaw, wherein the closure ring is translatable from a proximal position to a distal position, wherein the closure ring is operable to drive the protrusion along the channel to thereby pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw.

17. The end effector of claim 16, wherein the protrusion comprises camming surfaces.

18. The end effector of claim 16, wherein the channel comprises ramped surfaces sloping downwardly in the distal direction such that the first jaw is configured to pivot towards the second jaw as the closure ring translates to the distal position.

19. The end effector of claim 18, wherein the ramped surfaces of the channel slope at a decreased angle in the distal direction.

20. A method for closing an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, and a closure ring, wherein a proximal end of the second jaw comprises a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in a distal direction such that the closure ring engages the first ramped surface to pivot the second jaw toward the first jaw;

(b) further translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in the distal direction such that the closure ring engages the second ramped surface to pivot the second jaw toward the first jaw; and

(c) further translating the closure ring relative to the first jaw in the distal direction such that the closure ring engages a wall extending upwardly from the first ramped surface such that the closure ring maintains the second jaw in a closed position.