ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK

• US 20140263541A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Kerr, Wendy A., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Application Number:
  US13/803,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263541A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/0686 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• 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 2017/2913 : cams or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 : Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00303 : active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 : for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 : influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06

Abstract

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include an articulation driver configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint and an articulation lock which can be configured to selectably resist the unintentional articulation of the end effector. In various circumstances, the actuation of the articulation driver can unlock the articulation lock. In certain circumstances, the articulation lock can comprise a first one-way lock configured to resist the movement of the articulation driver in a first direction and a second one-way lock configured to resist the movement of the articulation driver in a second direction.

Claims

1. A shaft assembly attachable to a handle of a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft comprising a connector portion configured to operably connect said shaft to the handle;

an end effector;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector when a firing motion is applied to said firing driver;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint when an articulation motion is applied to said articulation driver; and

an articulation lock configured to releasably hold said articulation driver in position, wherein said articulation motion is configured to unlock said articulation lock.

2. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said firing motion can generate said articulation motion.

3. The shaft assembly of claim 1, further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

4. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said articulation lock comprises:

a first one-way lock configured to releasably resist movement of said articulation driver in a first direction; and

a second one-way lock configured to releasably resist movement of said articulation driver in a second direction.

5. The shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein an initial movement of said articulation driver is configured to unlock said articulation lock and a subsequent movement of said articulation driver is configured to articulate said end effector.

6. A shaft assembly attachable to a handle of a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft, comprising;

a connector portion configured to operably connect said shaft to the handle; and

a proximal end;

an end effector comprising a distal end;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector by a firing motion;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint when an articulation motion is applied to said articulation driver; and

an articulation lock, comprising;

a first one-way lock configured to releasably resist proximal movement of said articulation driver; and

a second one-way lock configured to releasably resist distal movement of said articulation driver.

7. The shaft assembly of claim 6, wherein said firing motion can generate said articulation motion.

8. The shaft assembly of claim 6, further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

9. The shaft assembly of claim 6, wherein movement of said articulation driver in a proximal direction is configured to unlock said first one-way lock, and wherein movement of said articulation driver in a distal direction is configured to unlock said second one-way lock.

10. The shaft assembly of claim 6, wherein an initial movement of said articulation driver is configured to unlock said first one-way lock or said second one-way lock and a subsequent movement of said articulation driver is configured to articulate said end effector.

11. A shaft assembly attachable to a handle of a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft, comprising;

a connector portion configured to operably connect said shaft to the handle; and

a proximal end;

an end effector comprising a distal end;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector by a firing motion;

an articulation driver system, comprising;

a proximal articulation driver; and

a distal articulation driver operably engaged with said end effector; and

an articulation lock configured to releasably hold said distal articulation driver in position, wherein the movement of said proximal articulation driver is configured to unlock said articulation lock and drive said distal articulation driver.

12. The shaft assembly of claim 11, wherein said firing motion can generate said articulation motion.

13. The shaft assembly of claim 11, further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

14. The shaft assembly of claim 11, wherein said articulation lock can comprise:

a first one-way lock configured to releasably resist proximal movement of said distal articulation driver; and

a second one-way lock configured to releasably resist distal movement of said distal articulation driver.

15. The shaft assembly of claim 14, wherein movement of said proximal articulation driver in a proximal direction is configured to unlock said first one-way lock, and wherein movement of said proximal articulation driver in a distal direction is configured to unlock said second one-way lock.

16. A shaft assembly attachable to a handle of a surgical instrument, said shaft assembly comprising:

a shaft, comprising;

a connector portion configured to operably connect said shaft to the handle; and

a proximal end;

an end effector comprising a distal end;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector by a firing motion; and

an articulation driver system, comprising;

a first articulation driver; and

a second articulation driver operably engaged with said end effector; and

an articulation lock configured to releasably hold said second articulation driver in position, wherein an initial movement of said first articulation driver is configured to unlock said second articulation driver and a subsequent movement of said first articulation driver is configured to drive said second articulation driver.

17. The shaft assembly of claim 16, further comprising a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein.

18. The shaft assembly of claim 16, wherein said articulation lock can comprise:

a first one-way lock configured to releasably resist movement of said second articulation driver in a first direction; and

a second one-way lock configured to releasably resist movement of said second articulation driver in a second direction.

19. The shaft assembly of claim 18, wherein movement of said first articulation driver in said first direction is configured to unlock said first one-way lock, and wherein movement of said first articulation driver in a second direction is configured to unlock said second one-way lock.

20. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a shaft extending from said handle;

an end effector;

an articulation joint connecting said end effector to said shaft;

a firing driver movable relative to said end effector when a firing motion is applied to said firing driver;

an articulation driver configured to articulate said end effector about said articulation joint when an articulation motion is applied to said articulation driver; and

an articulation lock configured to releasably hold said articulation driver in position, wherein said articulation motion is configured to unlock said articulation lock.