Surgical instrument

• US 5,634,584 A
• Filed: 05/23/1996
• Issued: 06/03/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Conlon, Sean P., Okorocha, Livyn O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/652,149
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• 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

Abstract

Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation.

Claims

1. In a surgical instrument for applying a surgical fastener from a cartridge that can be releasably attached to a mounting portion of said instrument and that contains a reciprocatable fastener advancing member adapted to be driven from an actuator on said instrument, a system for preventing longitudinal movement of said advancing member unless and until said cartridge is properly attached, said system comprising:

a housing integral with said cartridge and defining a path for reciprocation of said advancing member while restraining said advancing member against rotation relative to said housing;

a longitudinal restraint member retained in said housing against longitudinal movement relative to said housing and frictionally engaged with said housing to permit a relative angular displacement between said housing and said restraint member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation when a sufficient relative torque is applied between said restraint member and said housing, said restraint member defining a first anti-rotation engaging structure;

said mounting portion defining a second anti-rotation engaging structure for engaging said restraint member first engaging structure to prevent rotation of said restraint member relative to said mounting portion; and

said advancing member and said restraint member engaging each other to prevent relative longitudinal movement when said housing and restraint member are in said first angular orientation and being disengaged in said second angular orientation whereby said cartridge can be attached to said mounting portion by first moving said cartridge with said housing axially onto said mounting portion to effect engagement of said first and second anti-rotation engaging structures which restrain said restraint member against rotation and by secondly rotating said housing relative to said restraint member from said first angular orientation to said second angular orientation to disengage said advancing member from said restraint member and thereby accommodate subsequent reciprocation of said advancing member.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said instrument frame includes a distally extending endoscopic tube;

said advancing member defines a lateral slot open to an edge of said advancing member;

said restraint member has a central opening through which said advancing member extends, said restraint member defining a flange segment extending radially inwardly and received in said slot when said advancing member and restraint member are in said first angular orientation but not in said second angular orientation;

said restraint member has two spaced-apart recesses which are open axially and define said first anti-engaging structure; and

said mounting portion includes (1) a support pivotally attached to said tube and (2) a carrier that is received on said support and that has two spaced-apart, axially projecting lugs defining said second anti-rotation structure for being received in said restraint member recess.