SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MODULAR MOTOR

• US 20140364852A1
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Worrell, Barry C., Gagel, Jeffrey C., Miller, Matthew C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,504,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• 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 18/1447 wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/145 wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a handpiece, an elongate shaft, an end effector, a firing beam, and a modular motor. The end effector has a pair of jaws configured to open and close upon tissue. The firing beam comprises a blade insert with a sharp edge operable to sever tissue captured within the end effector. The modular motor is insertable into the handpiece. The modular motor comprises a drive gear that engages a plurality of components disposed within the handpiece. Rotation of the drive gear drives longitudinal translation of the firing beam within the elongate shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing beam opens and closes the jaws of the end effector relative to tissue. Longitudinal translation of the firing beam also severs tissue captured between closed jaws of the end effector.

Claims

1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a handpiece, wherein the handpiece presents a hollow interior and an opening;

(b) an elongate shaft, wherein the elongate shaft extends distally from the handpiece, and wherein the elongate shaft comprises a distal end;

(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and wherein the first jaw is selectively pivotable toward and away from the second jaw;

(d) a reusable motor assembly, wherein the reusable motor assembly is configured to be inserted through the opening into the hollow interior of the handpiece, and wherein the reusable motor assembly comprises;

i. a body,

ii. a motor, wherein the motor is disposed within the body, and

iii. a drive gear, wherein the drive gear presents a first plurality of teeth, and wherein the motor is operable to drive rotation of the drive gear; and

(e) a firing beam, wherein rotation of the drive gear is configured to cause longitudinal translation of the firing beam relative to the elongate shaft.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firing beam is configured to drive the first jaw toward and away from the second jaw.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firing beam comprises a distal end, and wherein the firing beam further comprises a blade positioned at the distal end of the firing beam.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handpiece presents a channel, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

(a) a rack, wherein the rack presents a second plurality of teeth, wherein the first plurality of teeth of the drive gear engages the second plurality of teeth of the rack, wherein the rack is movable within the channel presented by the handpiece, and wherein the drive gear is configured to cause movement of the rack within the channel upon rotation of the drive gear; and

(b) a first member, wherein the first member is rotatably coupled to the rack, wherein the first member is further rotatably coupled to a first fixed pin, and wherein the rack is configured to cause rotation of the first member about the first fixed pin.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first member is operable to cause longitudinal translation of the firing beam relative to the elongate shaft upon rotation of the first member about the first fixed pin.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rack has an arcuate shape.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second member, wherein the second member is rotatably coupled to the first member, wherein the second member is further rotatably coupled to a second fixed pin, and wherein the rack is configured to cause rotation of the second member about the second fixed pin.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second member is operable to cause longitudinal translation of the firing beam relative to the elongate shaft upon rotation of the second member about the second fixed pin.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive block, wherein the drive block engages one or both of the first member or the second member, wherein the drive block is coupled to a firing tube, and wherein one or both of the first member or the second member is configured to cause longitudinal translation of the firing tube relative to the elongate shaft upon rotation of one or both of the first member or the second member about the respective fixed pins.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firing tube is operable to drive the firing beam relative to the elongate shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reusable motor assembly further comprises a battery, wherein the battery is operable to deliver power to the motor of the reusable motor assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of teeth of the drive gear is tapered.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises at least one electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reusable motor assembly further comprises a pair of pogo pins, wherein the pair of pogo pins is operable to communicate power to the motor from an external power supply.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handpiece comprises a pistol grip, and wherein the hollow interior is disposed within the pistol grip.

17. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a handpiece, wherein the handpiece presents a hollow interior;

(b) an elongate shaft, wherein the elongate shaft extends distally from the handpiece, and wherein the elongate shaft comprises a distal end;

(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and wherein the first jaw is selectively pivotable toward and away from the second jaw;

(d) a rack, wherein the rack is movable within the handpiece; and

(e) a first rotatable member, wherein the first rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the rack, wherein the first rotatable member is further rotatably coupled to a first pin, and wherein the rack is movable to cause rotation of first rotatable member about the first pin;

(f) a reusable motor assembly, wherein the motor assembly is configured to be inserted into the hollow interior of the handpiece, and wherein the motor assembly comprises;

i. a body,

ii. a motor, wherein the motor is disposed within the body,

iii. a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is configured to engage the rack, wherein the motor is operable to drive rotation of the drive gear, wherein the drive gear is rotatable to cause movement of the first member, and

iv. an integral power supply; and

(g) a firing beam, wherein the drive gear is rotatable to cause longitudinal translation of the firing beam relative to the elongate shaft, wherein the firing beam is translatable relative to the elongate shaft to cause movement of the first jaw toward and away from the second jaw.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the battery is disposed within the body of the reusable motor assembly.

20. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a handpiece, wherein the handpiece presents a hollow interior;

(b) an elongate shaft, wherein the elongate shaft extends distally from the handpiece, and wherein the elongate shaft comprises a distal end;

(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is selectively pivotable toward and away from the second jaw, and wherein the end effector comprises at least one electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue; and

(d) a reusable motor assembly, wherein the reusable motor assembly is configured to be inserted into the hollow interior of the handpiece, and wherein the reusable motor assembly comprises;

i. a body,

ii. a motor, wherein the motor is disposed within the body, and

iii. a drive gear, wherein the drive gear presents a first plurality of teeth, wherein the motor is operable to drive rotation of the drive gear, wherein the drive gear is rotatable to drive the first jaw toward and away from the second jaw.