Surgical instrument

• US 6,506,208 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Gary Whipple, Gerald S. Melsky, Richard Wisdom, Robert B. Hunt, Stephen C. Evans
• Inventors: Wisdom, Richard, Evans, Stephen C., Whipple, Gary, Melsky, Gerald S., Hunt, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US09/973,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 606/205-211, 606/51, 606/52, 606/170, 606/174, 128/751
• US Class Current: 606/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• 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 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• 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 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2915 arcuate shaped guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2916 pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2938 Independently actuatable jaw members, e.g. two actuating rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2947 Pivots

Abstract

A multi-function laparoscopic instrument with an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members, a first actuator coupled to the first movable member, a second actuator coupled to the second movable member, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive mechanism, at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism, and a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated.

Claims

1. A multi-function surgical instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members;

a first actuator coupled to the first movable member;

a second actuator coupled to the second movable member; and

a handle assembly including;

a drive mechanism, and

a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the handle assembly further includes at least one movable trigger coupled to the drive mechanism.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the end effector assembly further includes a stationary member between the first and second movable members.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 in which the stationary member has a cutting blade surface and a grasping surface and wherein the first movable member includes a cutting blade surface which cooperates with the cutting blade surface of the stationary member and wherein the second movable member includes a grasping surface which cooperates with the grasping surface of the stationary member.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the first and second actuators are lengthy rods extending between the end effector assembly and the handle assembly for laparoscopic procedures.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5 further including a sheath surrounding the lengthy rods.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further including a first coupler on a proximal end of the first actuator and a second coupler on a proximal end of the second actuator, both couplers configured to be engaged by the drive mechanism.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 in which the first and second couplers each include a circumferential groove therein which is engageable by the drive mechanism independent of the orientation of the first and second couplers.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7 in which the first coupler includes a passageway which slidably receives the second actuator therethrough, the second coupler positioned rearward of the first coupler in the handle assembly.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9 in which the drive mechanism is pivotably connected to a movable trigger to alternatively engage the first and second couplers.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 in which the drive mechanism includes a forward clamp engageable with the first coupler and a rearward clamp engageable with the second coupler.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 in which the first coupler includes spaced bushings on opposite sides of the circumferential groove and the forward clamp of the drive mechanism includes an opening which receives the circumferential groove of the first coupler therein when the drive mechanism is pivoted to engage the first coupler.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11 in which the second coupler includes spaced bushings on opposite sides of the circumferential groove and the rearward clamp of the drive mechanism includes an opening which receives the circumferential groove of the second coupler therein when the drive mechanism is pivoted to engage the second coupler.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 2 in which the handle assembly further includes a stationary trigger spaced from the movable trigger.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14 in which the stationary trigger is disposed forward of the movable trigger.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the switching mechanism includes at least a first button.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16 in which the switching mechanism further includes a rocking member pivotable between a first position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the first actuator and a second position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the second actuator.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17 in which the rocking member includes a first locking member which engages the first actuator when the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator and a second locking member which engages the second actuator when the drive mechanism is engage with the first actuator.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 17 in which the rocking member includes an arm and the switching mechanism further includes a first spring disposed between the first button and the arm of the rocking member to urge the arm in a first direction when the first button is depressed.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19 in which the first button includes a pawl oriented to drive the arm of the rocking member in a second direction when the first button moves from a depressed position to an outward position.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20 in which the switching mechanism further includes a second spring which biases the first button in the outward position to urge the arm of the rocking member in the second direction when the first button is released.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21 in which the switching mechanism further includes a catch which holds the first button in the depressed position and a second button which, when depressed, releases the catch and the first button.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 22 in which the second button is biased outward.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the switching mechanism further includes a lock-out subsystem configured to engage the first actuator when the drive mechanism engages the second actuator and to engage the second actuator when the drive mechanism engages the first actuator.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further including a voltage supply lead electrically connected to one of the first and second movable members for coagulating tissue.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 25 in which there is a voltage supply lead attached to the first actuator and insulation surrounding the first actuator.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 26 in which there is a second voltage supply lead attached to the second actuator.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which the switching mechanism includes:

a pivotable rocker assembly including a depending arm and forward and rearward shelves which alternately engage the drive mechanism; and

an actuator coupled to the depending arm of the rocker assembly.

29. The surgical instrument of claim 28 in which the actuator is a button including a spring which is disposed to push on the arm of the rocker assembly when the button is depressed, the button further including a pawl biased to pull the arm of the rocker assembly when the button is released.

30. The surgical instrument of claim 28 in which the pivotable rocker assembly further includes forward and rearward stops disposed to engage whichever actuator is not engaged by the drive mechanism.

31. A multi-function laparoscopic instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable jaws;

a first actuator coupled to the first movable jaw;

a second actuator coupled to the second movable jaw;

a drive mechanism engageable with the first and second actuators; and

switching means having a first position which orients the drive mechanism to engage the first actuator and a second position which orients the drive mechanism to engage the second actuator for alternatively operating the first and second movable jaws.

32. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 31 in which the first and second movable jaws have a neutral position and the switching means is configured to force the drive mechanism to engage the first or second actuator only when the movable jaws are in the neutral position.

33. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 31 in which the drive mechanism is pivotable forward to engage the first actuator and pivotable rearward to engage the second actuator, and in which the switching means includes a rocker member pivotable in one direction to urge the drive mechanism to pivot forward and pivotable in another direction to urge the drive mechanism to pivot rearward.

34. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 33 in which the rocker member includes an arm and the switching means further includes a first button and a compliant member between the first button and the arm to bias the arm of the rocker in a first direction independent of the position of the drive mechanism when the first button is depressed.

35. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 34 in which the switching means further includes a pawl attached to the first button and a second compliant member disposed to bias the arm of the rocker in a second direction independent of the position of the drive mechanism when the first button is released.

36. A switchable actuator assembly comprising:

a first actuator;

a second actuator;

a forward coupler attached to the proximal end of the first actuator and having a passage which receives the second actuator therethrough;

a rearward coupler on the proximal end of the second actuator;

a pivotable drive mechanism disposed over the forward and rearward couplers; and

a switching mechanism engageable with the pivotable drive mechanism for pivoting the drive mechanism rearward to engage the rearward coupler and forward to engage the forward coupler, the switching mechanism including a rocker member pivotable in a first direction to urge the drive mechanism to pivot rearward and pivotable in a second direction to urge the drive mechanism to pivot forward, the switching mechanism further including an actuator compliantly coupled to the rocking member and operable independent of the position of the first and second actuators.

37. The assembly of claim 36 in which the rocker member includes a forward shelf which urges the drive mechanism to pivot rearward and a rearward shelf which urges the drive mechanism to pivot forward.

38. The assembly of claim 37 in which the rocker member includes a forward locking member which holds the forward coupler stationary when the drive mechanism is engaged with the rearward coupler and a rearward locking member which holds the rearward coupler stationary when the drive mechanism is engaged with the forward coupler.

39. The assembly of claim 38 in which the rocker member includes an arm.

40. The assembly of claim 39 further including a first spring extending between the first actuator and the arm to urge the arm rearward when the actuator is in a first position.

41. The assembly of claim 39 in which the actuator further includes a pawl which urges the arm forward when the actuator is in a second position.

42. The assembly of claim 41 further including a second spring which biases the actuator in the second position.

43. The assembly of claim 40 in which the actuator is a first button and the first position is depressed.

44. The assembly of claim 41 in which the actuator is a first button and the second position is released.

45. The assembly of claim 43 in which the switching mechanism further includes a second button which locks the first button in the depressed position and which is itself depressible to release the first button.

46. A surgical instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including;

a central fixed jaw with a grasping surface and a cutting surface,

a first movable jaw including a grasping surface which engages the grasping surface of the central fixed jaw to grasp tissue therebetween as the first movable jaw is opened and closed, and

a second movable jaw including a cutting surface which cooperates with the cutting surface of the central fixed jaw to cut tissue therebetween as the second movable jaw is opened and closed;

a first actuator having a proximal end and a distal end coupled to the first movable jaw and which reciprocates to open and close the first movable jaw;

a second actuator having a proximal end and a distal end coupled to the second movable jaw and which reciprocates to open and close the second movable jaw; and

a handle assembly including;

the proximal ends of both the first and second actuators, a drive mechanism having a first position which engages the proximal end of the first actuator and a second position which engages the proximal end of the second actuator, and

a movable trigger coupled with the drive mechanism to open and close the first movable jaw when the drive mechanism is engaged with the proximal end of the first actuator and to open and close the second movable jaw when the drive mechanism is engaged with the proximal end of the second actuator.

47. The surgical instrument of claim 46 in which the handle assembly further includes a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism to switch it between the first and second positions.

48. A switching system comprising:

a pivotable drive mechanism translatable forward and rearward;

a movable handle pivotable about a first pin and pivotably connected to the drive mechanism by a second pin;

a rocker assembly pivotably disposed about the first pin and including a forward shelf which urges the drive mechanism to pivot in a first direction and a rearward shelf which urges the drive mechanism to pivot in a second direction, the rocker assembly further including an arm depending therefrom; and

an actuator having first and second positions and including a first compliant member which urges the arm of the rocker assembly rearward when the actuator is in the first position to pivot the rocker assembly to engage the rearward shelf thereof with the drive mechanism, the actuator further including a pawl which urges the arm of the rocker assembly forward when the actuator is in the second position to pivot the rocker assembly to engage the forward shelf thereof with the drive mechanism.

49. The switching system of claim 48 in which the actuator is a button depressible to the first position and releasable to the second position.

50. The switching system of claim 48 in which the first compliant member is a spring.

51. The switching system of claim 48 further including a second compliant member which biases the actuator in the second position.

52. The switching system of claim 51 in which the second compliant member is a spring.

53. A multi-function laparoscopic instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members;

a first actuator coupled to the first movable member;

a second actuator coupled to the second movable member; and

a handle assembly including;

a drive mechanism including forward and rearward clamps,

at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism,

a switch mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated,

a first coupler on a proximal end of the first actuator and a second coupler on a proximal end of the second actuator, each coupler including a circumferential groove therein which is engageable by the drive mechanism independent of the orientation of the first and second couplers, the first coupler including a passageway which slidably receives the second actuator therethrough, the second coupler positioned rearward of the first coupler in the handle assembly, the first coupler including spaced bushings on opposite sides of the circumferential groove therein, the forward clamp of the drive mechanism including an opening which receives the circumferential groove of the first coupler therein when the drive mechanism is pivoted to engage the first coupler, the second coupler including spaced bushings on opposite sides of the circumferential groove therein, the rearward clamp of the drive mechanism including an opening which receives the circumferential groove of the second coupler therein when the drive mechanism is pivoted to engage the second coupler.

54. A multi-function laparoscopic instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members;

a first actuator coupled to the first movable member;

a second actuator coupled to the second movable member; and

a handle assembly including;

a drive mechanism,

at least one movable trigger interconnected with the drive mechanism, and

a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated, the switching mechanism including;

at least a first button coupled to the drive mechanism, a rocking member pivotable between a first position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the first actuator and a second position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the second actuator, the rocking member including a first locking member which engages the first actuator when the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator and a second locking member which engages the second actuator when the drive mechanism is engage with the first actuator.

55. A multi-function laparoscopic instrument comprising:

an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members;

a first actuator coupled to the first movable member;

a second actuator coupled to the second movable member; and

a handle assembly including;

a drive mechanism,

at least one movable trigger interconnected with the drive mechanism, and

a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated, the switching mechanism including;

at least a first button including a pawl, a rocking member including an arm and pivotable between a first position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the first actuator and a second position which urges the drive mechanism to engage the second actuator, the rocking member further including a first locking member which engages the first actuator when the drive mechanism engages the second actuator and a second locking mechanism which engages the second actuator when the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator,

a first spring disposed between the first button and the arm of the rocking member which urges the arm rearward when the first button is depressed,

a second spring which biases the first button in the outward position to urge the pawl of the first button to move the arm of the rocking member forward when the first button is released,

a catch which holds the first button in the depressed position, and

a second button which, when depressed, releases the catch and the first button.