SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT

• US 20150280384A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Beckman, Andrew T., Adams, Shane R., Schultz, Darwin L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,201,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• 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 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00225 Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 : for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 : Calibration or performance testing
• 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 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 : transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• 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 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/081 : for contamination or dirt
• 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 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 : Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• 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: A61L 2/07 : Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/081 : Gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/082 : X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 : Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 : using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 : Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 : Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 : Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 : Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 : Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 : adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 : for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/025 : having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/08 : Slip-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/10 : other than with external cylindrical contact surface, e.g. flat slip-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/64 : Devices for uninterrupted current collection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 : Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007188 : the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 : in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

Various electrical and slip ring connector arrangements configured to facilitate the passage of electrical current and signals between two components that are rotatable relative to each other such as an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly that includes portions that are rotatable relative to fixed mounting portions.

Claims

1. A slip ring connector comprising:

a mounting member including an annular mounting surface extending completely around an axis;

a circuit trace assembly comprising a flexible substrate wrapped around the annular mounting surface and being attached thereto, the circuit trace assembly including a plurality of electrically-conductive circuit traces thereon such that when the flexible substrate is wrapped around the annular mounting surface, each electrically-conductive circuit trace forms a discrete, continuous annular electrically-conductive path extending around the axis; and

an electrical component including a contact corresponding to each of the continuous annular conductive paths and wherein one of the annular mounting member and the electrical component is rotatable about the axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the continuous annular electrically-conductive path corresponding thereto during said rotation of one of the annular mounting member and electrical component about the axis.

2. The slip ring connector of claim 1 wherein each said electrically-conductive circuit trace comprises an annular circuit trace portion and a lead circuit trace portion extending transversely from the annular circuit trace portion.

3. The slip ring connector of claim 2 wherein the flexible substrate is T-shaped prior to being wrapped around the annular mounting surface of the mounting member.

4. The slip ring connector of claim 1 wherein the mounting member has a cylindrical body portion that defines the annular mounting surface and includes a flange portion protruding from at least one end of the cylindrical body portion.

5. The slip ring connector of claim 4 wherein the mounting member is configured to be fixedly received on a stationary hub received within the cylindrical body portion.

6. The slip ring connector of claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate has an adhesive medium thereon for attaching the flexible substrate to the mounting member.

7. The slip ring connector of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrically conductive circuit traces comprises:

a first electrically-conductive circuit trace;

a second electrically-conductive circuit traced spaced laterally from the first electrically-conductive circuit trace along the axis;

a third electrically-conductive circuit trace spaced laterally from the second electrically-conductive circuit trace along the axis; and

a fourth electrically-conductive circuit trace spaced from the third electrically-conductive circuit trace along the axis.

8. The slip ring connector of claim 7 wherein:

the first electrically-conductive circuit trace includes a first annular portion and a first lead portion extending transversely from the first annular portion;

the second electrically-conductive circuit trace includes a second annular portion spaced laterally from the first annular portion and a second lead portion extending transversely from the second annular portion and spaced from the first lead portion;

the third electrically-conductive circuit trace includes a third annular portion spaced laterally from the second annular portion and a third lead portion extending transversely from the third annular portion and spaced from the second lead portion; and

the fourth electrically-conductive circuit trace includes a fourth annular portion spaced laterally from the third annular portion and a fourth lead portion extending transversely from the fourth annular portion and spaced from the third lead portion.

9. The slip ring connector of claim 5 wherein the stationary hub comprises a portion of a surgical instrument.

10. An electrical coupler, comprising:

a slip ring assembly comprising at least one continuous electrically-conductive annular path wherein each continuous electrically-conductive annular path corresponds to an annular electrically-conductive ring laminated between two non-electrically-conductive rings;

a transverse mounting member in operable engagement with the slip ring assembly and including a transverse circuit trace thereon corresponding to each continuous electrically-conductive annular path; and

an electrical component including a contact corresponding to each of the continuous electrically-conductive annular paths and wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about an axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the continuous electrically-conductive annular path corresponding thereto during rotation of one of the slip ring assembly and electrical component about the axis.

11. The electrical coupler of claim 10 wherein the slip ring assembly is fixedly mounted to a first component and the electrical component is fixed mounted to a second component that is selectively rotatable relative to the first component.

12. The electrical coupler of claim 11 wherein the second component is selectively rotatable relative to the first component in a 360 degree path in a first rotary direction and a second rotary direction that is opposite to the first rotary direction.

13. The electrical coupler of claim 10 wherein the slip ring assembly includes four continuous electrically-conductive annular paths and the transverse mounting member includes four electrically conductive traces wherein each said electrically-conductive trace is operably coupled to a corresponding one of the continuous electrically-conductive annular paths.

14. The electrical coupler of claim 11 wherein the first component comprises a mounting portion of an interchangeable surgical tool and wherein the second portion comprises a rotatable shaft assembly including a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto.

15. An electrical coupler, comprising:

a slip ring assembly comprising;

a non-electrically conductive base member defining an axis;

a plurality of electrically conductive rings on the non-electrically-conductive base in a spaced, concentric arrangement relative to each other; and

an electrically-conductive circuit trace extending through the non-electrically conductive base member corresponding to each of the electrically-conductive rings and being electrically coupled thereto and wherein the electrical coupling further comprises an electrical component mounted along the axis and including a contact corresponding to each of the electrically-conductive rings and wherein one of the slip ring assembly and the electrical component is rotatable about the axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive ring corresponding thereto during rotation of one of the slip ring assembly and electrical component about the axis.

16. The electrical coupler of claim 15 wherein the non-electrically conductive base member is non-rotatably coupled to a chassis portion of an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly and wherein the electrically component is fixedly attached to a nozzle assembly mounted for selective rotation relative to the chassis portion.

17. The electrical coupler of claim 15 wherein said plurality of electrically conductive rings comprises four electrically conductive rings supported in a concentric arrangement on the non-electrically conductive base member.

18. The electrical coupler of claim 16 further comprising a mounting flange fixedly supported on the chassis, the mounting flange including a mounting hub, the mounting hub including at least one means for fixedly retaining the base member thereto.

19. The electrical coupler of claim 16 wherein the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly further comprises a surgical end effector configured to cut and fasten tissue.

20. The electrical coupler of claim 15 wherein the non-electrically-conductive base member comprises an annular non-electrically conductive ring having a distal surface supporting the plurality of electrically-conductive rings thereon and a proximal surface supporting an electrically conductive contact corresponding to each of the electrically conductive traces.