Actuation mechanism for surgical instruments

• US 6,454,782 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1999
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schwemberger, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/464,567
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/51, 606/52, 606/108, 606/174, 606/170, 606/171, 606/180, 606/169, 606/205-210, 604/22, 600/101, 600/139, 600/146, 600/147, 600/562-567
• US Class Current: 606/174
• 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 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 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location

Abstract

An improved articulation mechanism is described in conjunction with a therapeutic ultrasound instrument. Ultrasonic vibrations, when transmitted to organic tissue at suitable energy levels and using a suitable end-effector, may be used for the safe and effective treatment of many medical conditions. The mechanism includes an actuating arm with a collar operatively connected to the actuating arm. The collar converts rotation of the actuating arm into a plurality of actuations of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment the collar includes two ranges of motion, where the first range is used to articulate the surgical instrument, and the second range is used to actuate the surgical instrument. Such instruments are particularly suited for use in minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument having an end-effector and an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising:

an actuating arm having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a collar operatively connected to the end-effector and operatively connected to the distal end of the actuating arm;

wherein said collar converts rotation of the actuating arm into a plurality of actuations of the end-effector.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said collar is rotatable within a first range of rotation and a second range of rotation, wherein the first range of rotation moves the end-effector in a first motion and the second range of rotation moves the end-effector in a second motion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the first motion is articulation of the end-effector.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the second motion is actuation of the end-effector.

5. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including an actuation trigger;

a surgical end-effector;

an outer sheath having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle and a distal end operatively connected to an articulation collar;

the articulation collar operatively coupled to said actuation trigger and to the surgical end effector;

whereby movement of the actuation trigger through a first range of motion articulates said end-effector via said articulating.

6. The surgical instrument of 5, wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a second range of motion actuates the end-effector.

7. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including an actuation trigger;

a surgical end-effector;

an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector;

an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising;

an articulation portion operatively connected to an actuation portion; and

wherein movement of the actuation trigger actuates the end-effector.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a first range of motion articulates the end-effector via the articulation portion.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a second range of motion actuates the end-effector via the actuation portion.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the second range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about thirty to about 120 degrees.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the first range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about zero to about thirty degrees, and wherein the second range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about thirty to about ninety degrees.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the first range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about zero to about 60 degrees.

13. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including an actuation trigger;

a surgical end-effector;

an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector;

an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising;

an articulation means for articulating the end-effector; and

an actuation means for actuating the end-effector.