SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ACTIVE ELEMENT AND SUCTION CAGE

• US 20150142032A1
• Filed: 11/18/2013
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Scheib, Charles J., Chekan, Edward G., Boudreaux, Chad P., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Widenhouse, Tamara S. Vetro
• Granted Patent: US 9,913,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32008 preventing clogging of suction channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/76 Handpieces specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7545 for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates

Abstract

A surgical system comprises an end effector for operating on tissue and a screen positioned around the end effector. The screen is fluidly coupled with a suction source by a conduit such as a tube. The screen is configured to communicate suction through the screen while preventing tissue from contacting the end effector. The screen is further configured to retract proximally relative to the end effector to thereby expose the end effector.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

(a) an end effector operable to manipulate tissue;

(b) a blocking element positioned around the end effector, wherein the blocking element is movable relative to the end effector;

(c) a suction source; and

(d) a conduit configured to provide fluid communication between the blocking element and the suction source;

wherein the blocking element is configured to communicate suction through the blocking element to the tissue.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the blocking element is translatable relative to the end effector.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the blocking element is retractable to a proximal position to expose the end effector from the blocking element.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a trigger, wherein the trigger is operable to retract the blocking element.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the blocking element comprises a screen having a mesh configuration.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an outer shaft extending proximally from the blocking element, wherein the outer shaft is configured to house the conduit.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a valve coupled to the conduit, wherein the valve is configured to selectively apply suction through the conduit to the blocking element.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to selectively actuate the valve.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the valve is configured to apply suction to the blocking element when the blocking element is in an extended position such that blocking element is covering the end effector.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the valve is configured to not apply suction to the blocking element when the blocking element is in a retracted position such that the blocking element is exposing the end effector.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a blade operable to cut tissue.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising an ultrasonic transducer assembly coupled with the end effector.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the blocking element is operable to perform a blunt dissection of tissue.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a body and a shaft coupling the blocking element to the body.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the shaft is translatable relative to the body.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the blocking element is configured to prevent the tissue from entering through the blocking element to engage the end effector.

17. An apparatus comprising:

(a) an end effector operable to manipulate tissue; and

(b) a screen retractable relative to the end effector from a first position to a second position, wherein the screen is configured to house the end effector in the first position, wherein the screen is configured to expose the end effector in the second position;

wherein the screen is in fluid communication with a suction source, wherein the screen is configured to communicate suction through the screen from the suction source when the screen is in the first position.

18. A method for operating on tissue with an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises an end effector and a screen positioned around the end effector, wherein the screen is retractable relative to the end effector, wherein the screen is in fluid communication with a suction source, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(a) placing the screen adjacent to tissue;

(b) applying suction to the tissue through the screen from the suction source; and

(c) activating the end effector to one or both of cut or seal the tissue.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising dissecting the tissue with the screen.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising retracting the screen relative to the end effector to expose the end effector from the screen.