ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

• US 20140246471A1
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Jaworek, Gary S., Koch, Robert L. Jr., Auld, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,700,309 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 17/072 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• 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 2017/00393 : with means for switching between functions
• 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 for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 : for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 : Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0069 : with universal joint, cardan joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2017/2923 : 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 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 : node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 : Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/742 : Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/033 : Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 : Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 : with additional push or pull action on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04796 : for rectilinear control along the axis of the controlling member
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein, the cover comprising:

a non electrically-conductive hollow body including an open distal end and an open proximal end and a joint-receiving passage extending therebetween for receiving the articulation joint therein, the hollow body configured to permit portions of the articulation joint to be selectively articulated relative to each other while substantially enclosing the portions within the hollow body; and

at least one electrically conductive pathway extending from the distal end of the hollow body to the proximal end of the hollow body, each of the at least one electrically conductive pathways having a distal end portion configured to electrically contact a corresponding end effector conductor when the end effector has been coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a proximal end portion configured to electrically contact a corresponding shaft conductor in the elongate shaft assembly.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the hollow body is fabricated from material that is omni-directionally stretchable over the articulation joint portions.

3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the hollow body is fabricated from flexible micro-cut tubing.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein hollow body includes a plurality of ribs formed therein.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one electrically conductive pathways is embedded within the hollow body.

6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrically conductive pathways are selected from the group of electrically conductive pathways consisting of conductive wire, flexible conductive strips and multi-channel conductive ribbon cable.

7. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate shaft assembly including at least one electrical shaft conductor therein;

an articulation joint comprising;

a proximal joint portion coupled to the elongate shaft assembly;

a distal joint portion movably coupled to the proximal joint portion for selective articulation relative thereto;

a coupler assembly rotatably coupled to the distal joint portion for selective rotation relative thereto, the coupler assembly configured to be detachably coupled to the surgical end effector and form an electrically conductive coupler pathway from an end effector conductor in the end effector to the articulation joint; and

an articulation joint conductor contacting the conductive coupler pathway and traversing the articulation joint to contact the corresponding shaft conductor to form an electrically-conductive path therebetween.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the articulation joint conductor comprises:

a non electrically-conductive hollow body including an open distal end and an open proximal end and a joint-receiving passage extending therebetween for receiving the articulation joint therein, the hollow body being configured to permit portions of the articulation joint to be selectively articulated relative to each other while substantially enclosing the portions within the hollow body; and

an electrically conductive joint pathway extending from the distal end of the hollow body to the proximal end of the hollow body, the electrically conductive joint pathway configured to contact the electrically conductive coupler pathway and the electrical shaft conductor.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the coupler assembly further comprises a movable locking pin assembly configured to releasably lock the end effector thereto, the locking pin assembly forming the electrically conductive coupler pathway from the end effector conductor to the articulation joint conductor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 further comprising an annular electrical conductor on the distal joint portion and communicating with the articulation joint conductor and the locking pin assembly such that when the coupler assembly rotates relative to the distal joint portion, the locking pin assembly remains in contact with the annular electrical conductor.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein the locking pin assembly is biased into a locked position by a locking spring housed within the coupler assembly and forming the electrically conductive pathway between the locking pin and the annular electrical conductor.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein the articulation joint conductor comprises:

a distal electrical joint conductor extending through the distal joint portion; and

a proximal electrical joint conductor extending through the proximal joint portion and configured for continuous electrical contact with the distal electrical joint conductor as the distal joint portion is articulated relative to the proximal joint portion, the proximal electrical joint conductor in electrical contact with the electrical shaft conductor.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 wherein the distal joint portion comprises a distal clevis that includes a pair of distal clevis arms and wherein the proximal joint portion comprises a proximal clevis that includes a pair of proximal clevis arms that are pivotally pinned to the distal clevis arms by a pivot pin and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises:

a distal annular conductor on one of the distal clevis arms and in electrical contact with the distal electrical joint conductor; and

a proximal annular conductor on a corresponding one of the proximal clevis arms and configured for continuous electrical contact with the distal annular conductor as the distal clevis pivots relative to the proximal clevis, the proximal annular conductor in electrical contact with the proximal electrical joint conductor.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein at least one of the proximal annular conductor and the distal annular conductor comprises a spring washer fabricated from an electrically conductive material.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the elongate shaft rotatably interfaces with a housing that supports at least one control system component therein and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises an electrically conductive ring that is supported by the housing and is continuous electrical contact with the electrical shaft conductor as the elongate shaft rotates relative to the housing, the electrically conductive ring communicating with at least one of the control system components in the housing.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein the elongate shaft and the electrically conductive ring are operably supported by a detachable drive mount that is detachable from the housing and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a housing conductor coupled to the electrically conductive ring and configured to electrically contact a corresponding conductor portion of the at least one control system components when the detachable drive mount is coupled to the housing.

17. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a control system containing at least one electrical control component;

an elongate shaft assembly including an a electrical shaft conductor operably communicating with at least one of the electrical control components;

an articulation joint comprising;

a proximal clevis coupled to the elongate shaft assembly; and

a distal clevis pivotally coupled to the proximal clevis for selective pivotal travel relative thereto and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises;

a coupler assembly coupled to the distal clevis;

a surgical end effector releasably coupled to the coupler assembly, the surgical end effector including an end effector conductor arranged for electrical contact with an electrically conductive coupler pathway formed in the coupler assembly when the surgical end effector has been coupled to the coupler assembly; and

an articulation joint conductor traversing the articulation joint and in electrical contact with the conductive pathway through the coupler assembly and the shaft conductor.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17 wherein the coupler assembly further comprises a movable locking pin assembly configured to releasably lock the end effector thereto, the locking pin assembly forming the electrically conductive coupler pathway from the end effector conductor to the articulation joint conductor.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18 wherein the end effector conductor has a flexible hook formed on a proximal end thereof for contact with a distal end of the movable locking pin.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 18 further comprising an annular electrical conductor on the distal clevis and communicating with the articulation joint conductor and the locking pin assembly such that when the coupler assembly rotates relative to the distal clevis, the locking pin assembly remains in contact with the annular electrical conductor.