SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE JAW

• US 20170296191A1
• Filed: 04/18/2016
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L., Volz, Janna B., Morgan, Jerome R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,433,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical instrument system comprising a completely replaceable cartridge jaw is disclosed.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:

a shaft portion, comprising;

a frame defining a longitudinal axis; and

an attachment pin extending from said frame;

a firing member movable along said longitudinal axis;

an anvil jaw extending fixedly from said frame; and

a staple cartridge jaw completely attachable to and detachable from said frame, wherein said staple cartridge jaw comprises;

a cartridge body comprising staple cavities;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said staple cavities;

an attachment recess configured to receive said attachment pin when said staple cartridge jaw is attached to said shaft portion; and

a proximal end comprising a shoulder, wherein said shoulder is configured to block said firing member from performing said firing stroke if said staple cartridge jaw is improperly attached to said shaft portion.

2. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electrical circuit including a first portion in said shaft portion and a second portion in said staple cartridge jaw, wherein said second portion is electrically coupled with said first portion when said staple cartridge jaw is attached to said shaft portion.

3. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 2, wherein said attachment pin comprises a first contact of said electrical circuit and said attachment recess comprises a second contact of said electrical circuit.

4. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 2, wherein said electrical circuit further comprises:

a first electrical contact on said attachment pin; and

a second electrical contact positioned in said attachment recess.

5. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 4, wherein said second electrical contact comprises a metal spring clip configured to releasably grip said attachment pin.

6. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

an electric motor operably coupled with said firing member, wherein said electric motor is configured to move said firing member through said firing stroke, and

a motor controller configured to operate said electric motor, wherein said electrical circuit is in communication with said motor controller, wherein said motor controller is configured to detect when said staple cartridge jaw is improperly attached to said shaft portion, and wherein said motor controller is configured to prevent said electric motor from moving said firing member through said firing stroke when said motor controller detects that said staple cartridge jaw is improperly attached to said shaft portion.

7. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a firing member lock, comprising:

a lock element movable between a locked position in which said lock element is engaged with said firing member and an unlocked position in which said lock element is disengaged from said firing member, wherein said lock element is configured to prevent said firing member from being moved through said firing stroke when said lock element is in said locked position; and

a lock actuator configured to move said lock element between said locked position and said unlocked position, wherein said lock actuator is configured to position said lock element in said locked position if said staple cartridge jaw is improperly attached to said shaft portion, and wherein said lock actuator is configured to position said lock element in said unlocked position if said staple cartridge jaw is properly attached to said shaft portion.

8. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said shaft portion is articulatable about said articulation joint.

9. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said staple cartridge jaw is rotatable toward said anvil.

10. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:

a shaft portion, comprising;

a frame; and

an attachment projection extending from said frame;

a firing member;

an anvil jaw extending fixedly from said frame; and

a replaceable second jaw attachable to said frame, comprising;

staple cavities;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said staple cavities;

an attachment recess configured to receive said attachment projection when said staple cartridge jaw is attached to said shaft portion; and

an electrical circuit comprising a first portion in said shaft portion and a second portion in said staple cartridge jaw, wherein said second portion is electrically coupled with said first portion when said second jaw is attached to said shaft portion;

an electric motor operably coupled with said firing member, wherein said electric motor is configured to move said firing member through said firing stroke, and

a motor controller configured to operate said electric motor, wherein said electrical circuit is in communication with said motor controller, wherein said motor controller is configured to detect when said second jaw is not attached to said shaft portion, and wherein said motor controller is configured to prevent said electric motor from moving said firing member through said firing stroke when said motor controller detects that said second jaw is not attached to said shaft portion.

11. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said attachment projection comprises a first contact of said electrical circuit and said attachment recess comprises a second contact of said electrical circuit.

12. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said electrical circuit further comprises:

a first electrical contact on said attachment projection; and

a second electrical contact positioned in said attachment recess.

13. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 12, wherein said second electrical contact comprises a metal spring clip configured to releasably grip said attachment projection.

14. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, further comprising a firing member lock, comprising:

a lock element movable between a locked position in which said lock element is engaged with said firing member and an unlocked position in which said lock element is disengaged from said firing member, wherein said lock element is configured to prevent said firing member from being moved through said firing stroke when said lock element is in said locked position; and

a lock actuator configured to move said lock element between said locked position and said unlocked position, wherein said lock actuator is configured to position said lock element in said locked position if said second jaw is improperly attached to said shaft portion, and wherein said lock actuator is configured to position said lock element in said unlocked position if said second jaw is properly attached to said shaft portion.

15. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said shaft portion is articulatable about said articulation joint.

16. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said staple cartridge jaw is rotatable toward said anvil.

17. A surgical stapling kit, comprising:

a first instrument assembly, comprising;

a first shaft portion comprising a first frame and a first attachment projection extending from said first frame;

a first firing member;

a first anvil jaw extending fixedly from said first frame;

a first replaceable cartridge jaw attachable to said first frame, comprising;

staples, wherein said first firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said first replaceable cartridge jaw; and

a first attachment clip configured to grip said first attachment projection when said first cartridge jaw is attached to said first shaft portion;

a second instrument assembly, comprising;

a second shaft portion comprising a second frame and a second attachment projection extending from said second frame;

a second firing member;

a second anvil jaw extending fixedly from said second frame; and

a second replaceable cartridge jaw attachable to said second frame, comprising;

staples, wherein said second firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said second replaceable cartridge jaw; and

a second attachment clip configured to grip said second attachment projection when said second cartridge jaw is attached to said second shaft portion, wherein said first cartridge jaw is configured such that said firing stroke of said first cartridge jaw cannot be performed when said first cartridge jaw is attached to said second instrument assembly, and wherein said second cartridge jaw is configured such that said firing stroke of said second cartridge jaw cannot be performed when said second cartridge jaw is attached to said first instrument assembly.

18. A surgical stapling kit, comprising:

a first instrument assembly, comprising;

a first shaft portion comprising a first frame and a first attachment projection extending from said first frame;

a first firing member;

a first anvil jaw extending fixedly from said first frame;

a first replaceable cartridge jaw attachable to said first frame, comprising;

staples, wherein said first firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said first replaceable cartridge jaw; and

a first attachment clip configured to grip said first attachment projection when said first cartridge jaw is attached to said first shaft portion;

a second instrument assembly, comprising;

a second shaft portion comprising a second frame and a second attachment projection extending from said second frame;

a second firing member;

a second anvil jaw extending fixedly from said second frame; and

a second replaceable cartridge jaw attachable to said second frame, comprising;

staples, wherein said second firing member is movable through a firing stroke to eject said staples from said second replaceable cartridge jaw; and

a second attachment clip configured to grip said second attachment projection when said second cartridge jaw is attached to said second shaft portion, wherein said first attachment clip is configured to prevent said first cartridge jaw from being properly attached to said second instrument assembly, and wherein said second attachment clip is configured to prevent said second cartridge jaw from being properly attached to said first instrument assembly.

19. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, comprising the steps of:

providing a stapling assembly comprising an anvil having a forming pocket pattern, the forming pocket pattern having a length;

providing a first staple cartridge jaw attachable to the stapling assembly, the first staple cartridge jaw having a staple cavity pattern which matches the length of the forming pocket pattern;

providing a second staple cartridge jaw attachable to the stapling assembly, the second staple cartridge jaw having a staple cavity pattern which does not match the length of the forming pocket pattern;

permitting the stapling assembly to perform a staple firing stroke when the first staple cartridge jaw is attached to the stapling assembly; and

preventing the stapling assembly form performing a staple firing stroke when the second staple cartridge jaw is attached to the stapling assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said method further comprises the step of preventing the stapling assembly form performing a staple firing stroke when no staple cartridge jaw is attached to the stapling assembly.