CAM DRIVEN COUPLING BETWEEN ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND WAVEGUIDE IN SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20150305763A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Dannaher, William D., Balek, Stephen J., Haberstich, Wells D., Miller, Matthew C., Woodruff, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,881,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• 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 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/00084 Temperature
• 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 2017/00473 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 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle 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 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• 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 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• 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 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• 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 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a waveguide, a transducer, and a coupling assembly. In some versions the coupling assembly translates the transducer to couple the transducer to the waveguide. For instance, a gear having arcuate troughs may engage pins on the transducer and/or waveguide to mate the transducer to waveguide. A pawl may selectively engage and prevent rotation of the gear. Alternatively, lever arms may cam the transducer into the waveguide. The lever arms may selectively couple to a casing to prevent decoupling of the transducer and waveguide. In another configuration, a locking tab can be slid and locked into a slot to couple the transducer and waveguide. Further still, levers with self-locking pins may engage and couple the transducer to the waveguide. In another version, a rotatable body portion may engage a tab on the transducer to rotate and couple the transducer to the waveguide.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body assembly having a casing, the casing at least partially defining a cavity therein;

(b) a waveguide;

(c) a transducer comprising;

i. a transducer body, and

ii. a distal coupling member,

wherein the distal coupling member is configured to couple the transducer to a proximal end of the waveguide; and

(d) a coupling assembly operable to couple the distal coupling member of the transducer to the proximal end of the waveguide;

wherein the transducer is at least partially insertable into the cavity of the casing; and

wherein the coupling assembly is operable to translate the transducer relative to the body assembly.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the coupling assembly comprises a troughed gear having a first trough formed on a side of the troughed gear, wherein the troughed gear is rotatable relative to the casing, wherein the transducer body comprises a first pin extending outwardly from the transducer body, and wherein the first pin is insertable into the first trough of the troughed gear.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the troughed gear comprises a second trough formed on the side of the troughed gear, wherein the waveguide comprises a second pin extending outwardly from the waveguide, and wherein the second pin is insertable into the second trough of the troughed gear.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 wherein the first trough is operable to translate the transducer distally and the second trough is operable to translate the waveguide proximally in response to rotation of the troughed gear.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the troughed gear comprises gear teeth formed on a circumferential surface of the troughed gear, wherein the body assembly comprises a pawl, and wherein the pawl is selectively engageable with the gear teeth.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the first trough comprises an arcuate portion, and wherein the arcuate portion comprises a channel curving inwardly toward an axial center of the troughed gear.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the waveguide comprises a conical recess, wherein the distal coupling member of the transducer comprises a cone, wherein the coupling assembly is operable to translate the transducer distally to engage the cone with the conical recess.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the coupling assembly comprises a lever arm pivotably coupled to the casing, wherein the lever arm comprises a distally camming portion, and wherein the distally camming portion is operable to distally translate the transducer.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the lever arm further comprises a proximally camming portion, and wherein the proximally camming portion is operable to proximally translate the transducer.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the lever arm is selectively coupleable to the casing.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 8 comprising a second lever arm pivotably coupled to the casing and disposed on an opposite side of the casing.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the transducer body comprises a locking tab extending radially outward from the transducer body, wherein the body assembly comprises a ramped cam slot formed in a side of the casing at least partially defining the cavity, and wherein the ramped cam slot is configured to secure the locking tab relative to the body assembly.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12 wherein the ramped cam slot comprises an opening portion, a transition portion, and a locking portion, wherein the locking portion is distal of the opening portion, and wherein the transition portion links the opening portion with the locking portion such that the locking tab is actuatable along the transition portion from the opening portion to the locking portion.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein the locking portion comprises a detent, wherein the detent is configured to substantially secure the locking tab within the locking portion when the locking tab is rotated past the detent.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein the distal coupling member of the transducer couples to the proximal end of the waveguide when the locking tab is actuated along the transition portion.

16. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a casing;

(b) a waveguide having a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a longitudinal recess and a first transaxial hole transecting the longitudinal recess;

(c) a transducer comprising a horn insertable into the longitudinal recess and a second transaxial hole;

(d) a first pin and lever assembly comprising;

i. a first lever rotatably coupled to the casing, and

ii. a first pin portion actuatable by the first lever; and

(e) a second pin and lever assembly comprising;

i. a second lever rotatably coupled to the casing, and

ii. a second pin portion actuatable by the second lever;

wherein the first pin portion and the second pin portion are operable to selectively couple the transducer to the waveguide via insertion into the first transaxial hole and the second transaxial hole.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16 wherein the first pin portion comprises a first pin end having a first ramped portion, and wherein the second pin portion comprising a second pin end having a second ramped portion.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17 wherein the first ramped portion is defined by a first angle, wherein the second ramped portion is defined by a second angle, and wherein the first angle and the second angle are alternate interior angles such that second ramped portion and first ramped portion are parallel planar portions.

19. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body assembly comprising;

i. a first body portion having a transducer recess, and

ii. a second body portion comprising;

(1) a notch, and

(2) a rotatable hinge coupling the first body portion to the second body portion;

(b) a waveguide coupled to the first body portion; and

(c) a transducer comprising a tab configured to insert into the notch;

wherein the transducer is configured to couple to the waveguide when the second body portion is rotated about the first body portion via the rotatable hinge and the tab is inserted into the notch.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19 wherein the rotatable hinge is operable to rotate the second body portion from 0 to 180 degrees relative to the first body portion.