ARTICULATING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20140276966A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Ranucci, Kevin J., Cauldwell, Nathan Stewart, Felix, Augustus
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0491 Sewing machines for surgery
• 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 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 : having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 : with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 : Guide tubes

Abstract

A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.

Claims

8. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle; and

an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, the elongated shaft assembly comprising;

a first tubular member including a first flexible portion with a first preferential bending direction;

a second tubular member including a second flexible portion with a second preferential bending direction; and

a third tubular member including a third flexible portion with a third preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance, wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, and the third tubular member are coaxially located, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are axially fixed relative to one another at a position distal from the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion; and

wherein the third tubular member is displaceable relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the third tubular member is rotatable relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein a distal end of the third tubular member is free to move axially relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are disposed within the third tubular member.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the first preferential bending direction and the second preferential bending direction are aligned.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the third tubular member prevents articulation of the first tubular member and the second tubular member when the direction of bending resistance is aligned with at least one of the first preferential bending direction and the second preferential bending direction.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the third tubular member permits articulation of the first tubular member and second tubular member when the third preferential bending direction is aligned with the first preferential bending direction and the second preferential bending direction.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein a proximal end of the first tubular member is axially displaceable relative to a proximal end of the second tubular member to articulate the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion.

16. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle; and

an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, the elongated shaft assembly comprising;

a first tubular member including a first flexible portion with a first spine;

a second tubular member including a second flexible portion with a second spine, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are axially fixed relative to one another at a position distal from the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion; and

a third tubular member including a third flexible portion with a third spine and a fourth spine, wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, and the third tubular member are coaxially located, and wherein the third tubular member is displaceable relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the third tubular member is rotatable relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein a distal end of the third tubular member is free to move axially relative to the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are disposed within the third tubular member.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 16 wherein the second tubular member includes a fifth spine, and wherein the second spine and the fifth spine are perpendicular to the first spine to permit articulation of the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the third tubular member prevents articulation of the first tubular member and second tubular member when the third spine and the fourth spine are aligned with the first spine.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the third tubular member permits articulation of the first tubular member and second tubular member when the third spine and the fourth spine are perpendicular to the first spine.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein a proximal end of the first tubular member is axially displaceable relative to a proximal end of the second tubular member to articulate the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion.

24. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle;

an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, the elongated shaft assembly including;

a first tubular member including a first flexible portion with a first spine;

a second tubular member including a second flexible portion with a second spine and a third spine, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are coaxially located, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are axially fixed relative to one another at a position distal from the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion, and wherein the second tubular member is rotatable relative to the first tubular member.

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle; and

an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, wherein the elongated shaft assembly includes an articulable portion with an articulation direction, and wherein the elongated shaft assembly includes a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance, wherein the tubular member permits articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tubular member prevents articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the direction of bending resistance is aligned with the articulation direction.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tubular member is rotatable.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the direction of bending resistance is parallel to a plane extending between a first spine and a second spine located on opposite sides of the tubular member.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the preferential bending direction is provided by slots cut on one or more sides of the tubular member.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the tubular member is free to move axially relative to the elongated shaft assembly.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft assembly comprises an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member, wherein the inner and outer tubular members have offset neutral bending axes.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the first tubular member is disposed within the second tubular member.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the second tubular member prevents articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the second spine and third spine are aligned with the first spine.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the second tubular member permits articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the second spine and third spine are perpendicular to the first spine.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein a proximal end of the first tubular member is axially displaceable relative to a proximal end of the second tubular member to articulate the elongated shaft assembly.

29. A method of operating a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

providing;

a handle;

an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle, wherein the elongated shaft assembly includes an articulable portion with an articulation direction, and wherein the elongated shaft assembly includes a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance; and

displacing the tubular member to selectively align the preferential bending direction of the tubular member with the articulation direction of the elongated shaft assembly to permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein rotating the tubular member comprises rotating the tubular member by 90°

.

28-1. The method of claim 27 further comprising displacing the tubular member to selectively align the direction of bending resistance with the articulation direction of the elongated shaft assembly to prevent articulation of the elongated shaft assembly.

29-2. The method of claim 27, wherein displacing the tubular member comprises rotating the tubular member.